Page 85 of The Paris Roommates: Dean
Yeah, her dad was a big collector. He’d forgotten that. “Yeah, but we’d bethatstore.” He turned in a circle and regarded his friends. “We’d cross promote at the restaurant and the bakery. Because guess what? That’s where we could sell those themed gift boxes we were talking about, Kyle, for say Valentine’s Day. We can advertise their availability in Thea’s bakery.”
“So we won’t have to add an eatery space to get a liquor license,” Kyle filled in. “Yeah, I like how you’ve run with my initial idea.”
Thea clapped her hands. “I love it! Plus, it would drive traffic back to my bakery because people would want more of my pastries.”
“That’s right!” He was so psyched. “We would also have a list of wines that pair well with certain dishes because of how many people need help figuring out which wine goes with what.”
“I know I do,” Sawyer said, coming awake to the floor show. “One time I wanted this perfect Pouilly-Fuissé I’d read that some chef said went well with seafood pasta, but no one had it. I hated that.”
“Dating disappointment 101,” Brooke said with a heartfelt sigh. “Been there, done that.”
Dean had had his share of disappointments, too, as she seemed determined to remind him, but his romantic life with Jacqueline was on a rocket ship coasting through the stars right now, charting a new course for his life. “I still feel like I’m missing a game changer, but I’m liking where this is going. God knows I need to start fleshing out a business plan.”
“Good idea,” Kyle uttered in a flatter than normal voice.
Another angry glare from Madison had Dean jumping up and down to distract her. “But it’s a really great idea so far, right?”
“I think it’s wonderful, Dean,” Thea said with her usual enthusiasm. “And thanks for thinking of my bakery. I can’t wait to help create the boxes.”
He couldn’t either. “Brooke? Thoughts?”
“You’re right about the tourist market.” She tapped her fingernails together like she usually did when thinking. “We’d need to handle international shipping, but wineries all over France deal with it. So can we. My dad would be a good resource.”
“I’d love his help.” Her dad would be an excellent consultant, now that he thought of it. “Doc?”
“You heard my Pouilly-Fuissé nightmare.” He shook his head. “A guy should have it easier when he decides to cook for his woman for the first time.”
“Now that’s a good marketing campaign if I’ve ever heard one.” Dean itched to pull out his phone and start writing notes. “Madison?”
Her stare was more of concentration than disillusionment, so he waited until she said, “We’re expanding pretty fast, and I don’t have a handle on the budget items. That’s Kyle’s purview as GM. But I think the concept has merit, and I would use it as a regular customer. Because you’re right. Having a one-stop shop with that kind of guidance would be perfect for busy, working people.”
He reached out and patted her on the arm companionably, which had her looking at him with suspicion. “Thank you! Now Kyle…”
“I think you’ve got a good starting concept,” Kyle answered in a tight voice, “but I agree that we’re missing the game changer.”
“It’s going to come.” He clenched his hand and eyed his friends. “I know it will.”
Kyle nodded. “I’m here for more brainstorming, but I also want to point out that Madison is right about us expanding quickly. Draw the draft plan up, and then we’ll have a meeting about potential timetables and costs, assuming we won’t have to renovate the space. I’m hoping not after Nanine’s and the bakery. Does that work for you, Dean?”
He tried not to take the ice in Kyle’s voice personally, knowing it wasn’t about him. “That’s great, man,” he said with a short smile. “Who’s ready for champagne?”
“I am!” Thea’s heels clicked on the floor as she sped off to the kitchen.
Jean Luc followed with a wry smile as Sawyer and Brooke joined in the procession. Madison didn’t move, and neither did Kyle. Dean held his breath as the tension surged back into the room.
Finally, Kyle checked his watch. “I’ll celebrate with you later. I need to be somewhere right now. But congratulations, Dean. I think your ‘It’ idea is taking shape.”
He raised his chin, knowing Kyle needed some air, but they were friends, roommates, business partners. This was so not how it was supposed to be. They celebrated each other’s wins, and they got past stuff. “Come on, Kyle. Stay.”
“I’ll see you later,” was all he replied before he walked stiffly to the front door and let himself out of the home he’d bought for them.
Madison stayed where she was, staring at where he’d disappeared. Then she marched after him, her angry heels pounding their new floor.
Dean turned and walked to the kitchen. They had to have it out.
He only hoped they’d fix it and not make it worse.
CHAPTERTWENTY-ONE
