Page 93 of The Paris Roommates: Dean
Their hostess took his hand enthusiastically with Pierre now on her shoulder and led him to the hallway leading to the main salon. Thea linked arms with Jean Luc and followed, leaving Dean alone with Jacqueline.
“You still good?” he asked, studying her face.
“It is nice of you to watch out for me, but I am used to functions.” She lifted her glass to his. “To meeting your friends and becoming close.”
He tapped their flutes together. “You’ve got this in the bank as we say in English. Come, let’s grab some food. Fabiana really is a delicious cook.”
“She’s already won Pierre over.” She took a rueful sip. “My father would be very happy Pierre has so many new friends. Thank you for taking care of him, Dean. You have no idea what that means. Even if there was nothing between us, I would be grateful.”
He caressed the delicate line of her cheek, seeing the sadness her memories of her father must have caused. “But there is something between us, and now, you have people who care about you too. Or they will as they learn more about why you’re so special.”
“I’m glad you brought me tonight,” she said softly. “Shall we mingle?”
Taking her arm, he led her into the main salon. Sawyer was already filling his mouth with what looked like some delicious stuffed mushrooms. God, Dean loved Italian food, and Fabiana did have a knack. “Fabiana, my sweet!” he called out. “Have you ever thought about starting a restaurant?”
A lean, gray-haired man groaned as she clapped her hands excitedly. “I’d love to, but alas, my true love is fashion. Right, my darling husband?”
The groan Paul uttered again was heartfelt. “Fashion took you away enough when you were modeling full-time. I cannot even contemplate a restaurant’s demands.”
“It’s a bitch, Paul,” Madison said with her usual honesty, “but it’s a bitch I love.”
“Thank goodness, right?” Thea lifted her glass. “I know I’m the birthday girl, but I want to give a toast. When I thought about turning thirty before coming to Paris, I dreaded it. The only person I’d hoped to spend it with was Brooke, but tonight…”
Her voice cracked, and she had to brush a tear away.
“Oh, don’t cry,chérie,” Jean Luc said, putting an arm around her.
“Don’t tell a woman what to do,” Fabiana said, bumping him with her hip. “Her heart is only expressing. Let her express.”
“Hear, hear,” Brooke called out, her own eyes suspiciously bright. “Go on, Thea, we’re listening.”
Her sniff was decisive as she took a bracing breath. “My whole life has changed. You’ve helped make my dreams come true. You’ve helped me turn into the person I was scared to be. You’ve given me wings, and I’m so grateful for all of you. I love you all so very much. Cheers!”
Heck, Dean had to clear his throat with his champagne after that one as everyone returned the cheers in the French style with a heartySanté.Jacqueline looked up at him and smiled. “She’s very sweet, isn’t she?”
“The sweetest girl you’ll ever meet,” he agreed.
Brooke punched him in the arm. “What? You don’t think I’m sweet?”
“You’re sweet like Granny Smith apples,” he improvised. “Still kind of tart but you can stand up to anything.”
Madison lifted her glass. “I like that for you, Brooke. Jacqueline, how would Dean describe you?”
She turned to him, her large brown eyes searching. “I do not know, but I am curious.”
“Is this one of those female traps?” He made a show of pretending he was trying to escape. “Okay, I’d say she’s like a robust red wine from a long and storied estate, with great fortitude and rich layers, the kind that inspire both delight and further curiosity. But along with that, she loves to laugh and does so with abandon when she’s with people she trusts.”
Her expression was grave when he finished, and for a moment, his heart clutched. He grimaced. “God, did I screw up?”
“No,” she said, shaking her head so hard that her hair moved in a silky wave across her shoulders. “You got it perfectly correct. Like you know me.”
“Whew!” He wiped his brow playfully.
“And what about Dean, Jacqueline?” Kyle asked suddenly. “He and I haven’t always understood each other, so your thoughts would be welcome.”
Dean could feel his ears turning red as everyone turned to listen. This he knew was her test, and for a moment, he held his breath.
“Well, it’s obvious how much he enjoys life and meeting people. Parrots, even.” She glanced up at him, and his heart grew tight at the warmth in her eyes. “I would say he’s a captivating brut champagne, the kind that makes everyone happy, its bubbles swirling rapidly in the glass with excitement. He has big dreams, and he loves to make others laugh, but it’s because he wants everyone to like him, I think. But not in a needy or desperate way.”
