He had a feeling it was going to take a little time for Priest to come back to himself and for Robbie to digest everything he’d learned Saturday, and the three of them were just going to have to be patient.
“A lot of good things, I hope,” Lise said, interrupting his thoughts. “The article in Culinary Institute went out, and whatever you did after you called Gail back and gave her that second interview, it must’ve worked, because this is some write-up.”
Lise spun her laptop around and showed him the article, and as he read through it and then looked at the photographs of JULIEN, he felt a sense of relief flood him. Bien. He hadn’t completely screwed up this opening after all.
“Wow,” Julien said. “She was definitely kinder than I expected.”
Lise shrugged and grinned at him. “You’re pretty damn charming when you want to be, Mr. Thornton.”
“Merci,” Julien said, and then sat back and tapped his fingers on the tabletop. He needed to talk to Lise about a couple of things before the opening, and now was as good a time as any he supposed. “On Thursday, I’ll be attending with two plus ones, who, as always, are to be kept out of the spotlight on the red carpet. I just wanted you to be aware. As for—”
“Wait a second,” Lise said, and arched an eyebrow. “Do not think for a second you can just bulldoze through that conversation without answering some of my questions. You might be able to keep tight-lipped with the press, but with me, monsieur, you should know better.”
“Okay, okay,” Julien said. “Priest and I will have a date with us on opening night. Someone who is very special to us.”
“The young man who had you waiting on him?”
Julien thought back to the beginning of the year and nodded. “Oui. One and the same.”
“Ahh,” Lise said, and then chuckled. “He must be something to have caught and held the attention of both of you.”
“He is.” Julien thought about Robbie’s beautiful smile, caring nature, and vivacious personality. “Quite wonderful.”
Lise sat back and tapped her nails on the table. “And Priest? How’s he feel about this vivacious new man of yours?”
“The exact same way. I’ve never seen him act like this except with—”
“You?”
“Oui,” Julien said, a smile curving his lips.
“And we all know how ridiculously in love he is with you.”
“We do.”
“Then I have to say,” Lise said, “I can’t wait to meet this young man of yours.”
“He’ll be thrilled to meet you, I’m sure. He’s also bringing his family. Mother and sisters.”
“So they…know about you three?”
“Not exactly,” Julien said. “That’s why I’m telling you. In case things go in an—”
“‘Oh fuck’ kind of direction?”
Julien started to laugh. “Something like that.”
“I’m on it. As long as you guys are careful when you arrive, no one will be any wiser. I doubt you’ll be making out on the bar.”
Julien shrugged, enjoying this moment of lightness considering the weekend he’d had. “With those two, you never know.”
Lise winked at him. “That’s a different kind of party altogether, Julien. Get your mind out of the gutter.”
“I suppose you’re right.”
“Mhmm. And does this wonderful new man of yours have a name?”
“He does. Robbie. Trust me, you will have no trouble spotting him. Just look for the man lighting up the place.”
Lise typed Robbie’s name on her guest list and muttered, “Smitten. You’re totally, utterly smitten.”
And as they continued going over the things they needed to do before Thursday, Julien couldn’t help but agree.
* * *
PRIEST SCOWLED AT his computer screen when it froze for the second time midsentence, and then hit the mouse button over and over, as if that would somehow help it unfreeze.
He could feel the stress from the past few days mounting the longer his day went on, and when technology decided to step in and add to an already shitty start to the week, he was close to picking up his computer and tossing it out the window. It was a shame the damn things didn’t open. He could suddenly see why Logan had fought so hard for the corner office with the balcony.
Knock. Knock. Knock.
Priest gritted his teeth and thought that maybe an interruption would be a good thing, all things considered. “Come in,” he called out, and of course Logan was the one to push open the door, because karma was having a field day with Priest.
“You got a minute?” Logan said as he walked inside, and Priest had a feeling that even if he said no, Logan would’ve still shut the door and taken a seat. “So, how’s your day going?”
“I’m assuming since you’re sitting down in front of me and asking, you already know the answer to that.”
Logan crossed his legs and nodded, just as the screen in front of Priest caught up and the rest of the paragraph he’d been typing appeared—twice.