Page 34 of Champagne Fizz

“Agreed,” Arie says, digging through the stack and pulling out one herself. “But I have standards.” Arie flips open the magazine to a specific page and lays it out in front of me. “If Flambé is going to be in this magazine and catch the attention of certain mainland investors, then it has to look a certain way.”

I frown at Arie.

Mainland investors? That’s the type of thing I would say.

What exactly is she playing at?

“What’s that supposed to mean?” I pick up the magazine for a closer look. It’s a multiple-page feature of a Southern California wedding. It’s airy and pretty and effervescent. “Um …” I look at Arie with a confused frown. “This is exactly the type of burlap and floating-candle eyesore you’d skewer Kendall for designing.”

“Ignore the wedding!” Arie dismisses. “But yes, burlap and shabby chic should be banned from existence. Look at the real estate in the magazine.”

She plucks the magazine from my fingers and flips through the multiple pages that the wedding feature is spread across.

“Yes, it’s a long article.” I nod, annoyed. “I’m still waiting for the punchline here.”

“I know the editor of this magazine,” Arie states, showing me the cover and flashing me the title,Hollywood Bride. “This is theitwedding magazine for the Hollywood elite.” Arie flips back to the wedding spotlight and starts pointing out celebrities attending the featured festivities. “If you want to expand Flambé to Southern California, then this is the magazine you want to be in. This is the multi-page marketing spread that will show off what kind of restaurant Flambé is: sexy, classy, high-end. If we were in this magazine, investors would start callingusabout opening a second location on the mainland.”

I sit up straight as a cold shot of excitement wicks through my body. I snatch the magazine out of her hand.

“I thought that might get your attention,” Arie snips.

“You’d actually entertain the idea of franchising in Los Angeles?” I ask, trying to keep my excitement in check. Arie and I have talked about opening a second location before, but she’s always shutting me down and giving excuses. Who would cook if she wasn’t there? How could we guarantee the quality? Isn’t one location enough? Yet, here she is with a real bona fide option for gaining serious investor traction.

“I never said I wouldn’t open another location,” Arie says cautiously. “I just said it would have to be doneright. And the thing you’re always going on and on about is making sure we have the financial backing.”

“It takes money to make money, and this—” I hold up the magazine nervously, afraid she might burst into laughter and yellpsyche!at me like we’re kids.

“I’m not saying that it will happen,” Arie warns. “But maybe—if Olivia and Ned’s wedding is in this magazine—maybe, we’ll have some options that make it more of a possibility.”

“I could kiss you right now!” I say, jumping up from my seat and rounding my desk.

“Oh no no,” Arie says, holding up her hands as I wrap my arms around her awkwardly and squeeze tightly. “You come near me with your tongue and Connor will punch you in the face.”

“You’re actually serious about this?” I ask again, breaking the hug but holding her at arms-length by her shoulders.

“God, nothing gives you a hard-on like the possibility of making more money,” Arie laughs.

“Not making money; expanding the brand,” I say. “Yes, we’ll make money, but this would be great for the restaurant. For you.”

“And it doesn’t hurt that my twin sister is dating a celebrity,” Arie says, shrugging. “I’m pretty sure having the cast ofBillionaire Heatat our opening will guarantee a successful launch to a new location.”

“Youhavebeen thinking about this!” I exclaim. I thought she’d dismissed this idea months ago.

“Maybe a little,” she admits. “But no promises.” She extricates herself from my grip. “Simon, the timing has to be right. The investors have to be right. This wedding”—she points at the magazine—“has to be right.”

I flip through the magazine again, realizing her point.

“I know you have a crush on Weddings with Hart,” Arie continues. “But there’s a way this wedding has to look to not only be published in this magazine, but also to attract the type of investors we need. You understand?”

I look in the bag; the stack of magazines is intense. That’s a lot of input Kendall’s going to have to digest, and she’s probably not going to like it.

“Have you told Olivia about this magazine option?” I ask.

“No,” Arie admits. “She’s getting married. She’s supposed to be all ga-ga and in love. I thought this could be icing on the cake later, you know. A—Hey look, your wedding was so epic it’s going to be in this magazine—kind of thing.”

“If Kendall doesn’t ruin it?”

“Now you’re catching on.” Arie nods, glad I’m seeing the bigger picture.

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