Page 52 of The Paris Roommates: Dean
When the tour finished, the others clustered around the table with Celine again. Brooke asked to see the pages for the reds from Burgundy and asked whether it was possible to have the ledger’s pages sent to them via email since Chef Beaumont had made notations in the margins. Dean wondered if Jacqueline’s handwriting also covered some of the pages, and he peered closer, curious to see whether he’d instinctively recognize her handwriting. Did she print or have elaborate cursive? He’d bet on the latter, given her love of history, and he suddenly couldn’t wait to find out.
Celine droned on until Kyle laid his hand on Madison’s arm, making her jump in place. After a respectful pause, he asked her if there was anything specific she wanted to see, sending Celine that perfect smile, then informing her that Madison was hard at work over the new menu at Nanine’s. Madison delivered an answering fake smile, but it was clear to Dean that she hated the pageantry as much as he did.
By the time everyone’s questions had been asked and answered, Dean was feeling the urge to sneeze—likely from the mold and dust—and starting to get grumpy. Not his normal.
He took the ladder after the ladies had all ascended, with Madison being the last, hissing at them not to look at her butt. Kyle had started coughing, clearly susceptible to the mold too, but Dean had laughed. If Celine hadn’t been there, he’d have called up, “Looking good.”
Let it never be said he had no self-restraint.
When they reached the main floor of the abandoned restaurant, Celine folded her hands and regarded them. “It was a great pleasure to show you the cave. Should you wish to see it again, we have added a virtual tour to the auction website, especially for those buyers who cannot fly in for a viewing.”
“Cool.” Now they were talking.
Celine cast him a wry glance before saying, “These are the relevant details.”
She passed out leaflets, which had a few photos of the cave along with the history of Chez Papa, including a photo of Chef Beaumont. Pierre wasn’t present, which surprised Dean a little, and neither was Jacqueline. In fact, as he briefly scanned the document, he saw the only person mentioned was the chef, winning the Michelin star, and his passing.
“As you know, we have set the auction for October 11, a Friday.” She folded her hands and regarded them. “Bids will be accepted either electronically or delivered in person to the address on the leaflet before the close of business at five p.m. The winner will be informed later that evening. The details of the transition will be handled the following week as the restaurant will then go on the market.”
That was good. Should they win, they would have the cave well before Nanine’s reopening.
“It was wonderful of you to show us,” Kyle said with his CEO-bright smile. “Thank you for taking the time. We all know this cave would be a wonderful addition to Nanine’s.”
Nanine nodded grandly.
A regal inclination from Celine and then, “Madame Beaumont and myself look forward to receiving your offer at the auction.”
Great. Everyone started moving toward the front door. Everyone except for Nanine.
“Pardon me, but did you say,MadameBeaumont?”
That brought him up short, along with everyone else. They traded looks as Nanine gave Celine a polite smile that held calculated interest.
Madame…
Suddenly Dean’s skin was tingling again. He’d been missing something, and this was the key…
“Yes, Yvonne Beaumont,” Celine said with a short smile. “His daughter.”
Yvonne?His thoughts ground to a halt like an old water wheel. What the—
Suddenly Dean understood what Nanine had been getting at. Jacqueline was not a madame because of her younger age and single status. She was a mademoiselle. But a single sister of an older age in France—usually around forty—would be a madame.
“I do not mean to pry,” Nanine continued, her posture taking on that noble quality she bore in moments of tension. “I knew Chef Beaumont some, but I was not aware of any children he had.”
“Yvonne is his daughter by his wife, who recently passed.” Celine’s mouth tightened. “There is another daughter, but she is not… The sisters are not on the best of terms. All you need to know is that Yvonne Beaumont is the person who is auctioning off the cave.”
Dean’s mouth parted, along with the others’.What?
Maybe it was their stunned looks, but Celine cleared her throat and said, “I am not comfortable saying more about the family.”
She hadn’t said anything!
Celine turned stiffly and walked to the door, opening it in a clear indication she was finished with the meeting and had divulged all the personal details about the seller she planned to share. “I hope you enjoyed your tour of the Beaumont cave. Have a pleasant day.”
They arrived on the sunny Paris street only to hear the decisive click as the front door shut and the lock was turned. Without anyone explicitly arranging it, they headed around the corner to be out of range.
“What in the hell just happened?” Madison began in an undertone.
