Page 78 of Chloé

“She’s right,” Ethan said. “You are.”

“Look, with my charm and your money, anything is possible—just say the word, Red.”

Chloé really started laughing then, and leaned forward, wrapping her arms around him from the back seat.

“Thank you for wanting to break the law to help me. I appreciate it more than you’ll ever know.”

Zayne picked her hand up and kissed her palm. “Anything for you, gorgeous.”

She settled back into her seat, a wide smile on her face, and Zayne was happy to think that for a moment he’d given her a little levity. She was in for a stressful night, and he wanted to give her this before she stepped into it.

Ethan got them into town in record time, and as they pulled up out the front of JULIEN, a man in a tuxedo stepped up to the curb.

“Valet tonight?” Zayne said, and Chloé nodded.

“We’re fully booked, and you know how the parking is back here. It’s difficult on a normal night, and tonight will be insane.Pèrethought this would keep things more streamlined.”

“Smart man,” Ethan said as they pushed open their doors and climbed out. He rounded the hood of the SUV and handed off the keys, and as the valet drove off, the three of them stood on the sidewalk and stared at the revolving door of JULIEN. “Whenever you’re ready, Red.”

Chloé hiked her bag up her arm then reached for each of their hands. “Let’s do this.”

* * *

“THERE SHE IS. The woman of the hour!”

Whistles and whoops filled the air as they pushed through the revolving door and stepped into the main dining room of JULIEN. Ethan moved off to the side with Zayne as Chloé stood in the middle of the men and women she’d been working with over the past few months in preparation for this very night.

But it wasn’t until Julien stepped out of the crowd and gestured for them all to simmer down that the hooting and hollering faded.

“Bonsoir, mon ange.How are you feeling?”

She laughed and beamed at everyone, and Ethan had to hand it to her. No one in that crowd would’ve known she’d been a nervous wreck ten minutes ago.

Total professional.

Total badass.

“I’m feeling excited, confident, and ready to share some of the most delectable meals this town has ever eaten tonight.”

The cheers started up again and were close to deafening, and Ethan likened it to a pep talk between football players before a big game—all of them pumping each other up, getting ready to go kill it.

“Okay, okay.” Julien laughed. “Time to go get the food and kitchen prepped. Guests—”

“Judges!” someone interrupted.

“—will be arriving in a couple of hours. Let’s make sure you’re on your A game tonight.”

Everyone nodded, taking their orders from the bossman, then turned to head off to their prospective stations, leaving Chloé’s family in their wake.

Robbie, Priest, and Justin joined Julien, gathering around Chloé to wish her luck and offer up words of wisdom and advice. Then Robbie turned to them and waved them over.

“What are you two doing standing all the way over there?” He smiled. “Tell us the truth now—Chloé looks the picture of confidence right now, but how was she an hour ago?”

Zayne chuckled, and Chloé aimed a glare in his direction.

“Oh, you know, she was bossing us around and hurrying us out the door.”

Justin scoffed. “Now that’s a lie right there. Chloé’s never on time. Try again.”

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