The woman’s eyes grew round as saucers, and then she began to nod enthusiastically. “Wow. Yes. Oh my God. Are you serious?”
Julien laughed. “Oui, very.”
The woman waved over her sister. “We were just invited to eat inside.”
The second lady looked at Julien and said, “Shut your face,” making Julien automatically think of Robbie. He glanced over his shoulder to see where his men were.
When he spotted them standing by one another and chatting, Julien’s heart warmed. Handsome were his men, that was for sure, then he spotted Lise and waved her over.
She wove her way through the crowd and stopped in front of him. Julien said, “Can you please make room for these two lovely young ladies tonight?”
Lise grinned at the women behind the rope and reached for the latch. “Of course. Your names?”
Miss Culinary School was busy trying to stay on her feet as excitement overtook her, but her sister said, “I’m Michelle and this is Anne.”
“It’s lovely to meet you both.”
“Are you kidding?” Anne said. “It’s our pleasure. I still can’t believe this is happening.”
“Well, if you’ll follow me inside,” Lise said, “I’ll show you to your table.”
The two women nodded, and as they were led away, Julien turned back to the crowd calling out his name.
Several people thrust photos, menus, and magazines his way, and he smiled and charmed his way through each and every one of them, grateful that they’d come out for him tonight, humbled at their praise, and incredibly moved that something he loved doing could touch so many people.
Tonight was about celebration for both the restaurant and the ones he loved. After all, it was Valentine’s Day, and nothing was going to stop him from getting inside and enjoying the evening with the two men who—as far as he was concerned—were currently standing too far away from him.
Chapter Sixteen
CONFESSION
Friends, family, and exes.
I never usually mix the three.
There’s a reason for that.
“SO, BOSS, WHAT do you think?” Lise stepped up to Julien’s side and handed him a Tom Collins. He took a sip, and as they wove their way through the tables toward the bar, Julien made sure to smile and wave at anyone who caught his eye, playing the perfect host.
“I think everything looks fantastic,” he said, as he scanned the guests gathered inside his restaurant, filling it to capacity for the first time ever. It always amazed him what a different vibe a place took on when it was full of people, and tonight JULIEN felt alive and happy. It was buzzing with excitement, and the hum of it drowned out any anxiety he might’ve felt moments ago.
“And,” Lise drawled, “I spotted your…men following closely behind you tonight.” She leaned into his side with a smile. “I hope you plan to find the time to introduce me to Robbie. If not for any other reason than to let me drool all over Priest, who is watching him like a hawk.”
When she winked at him, Julien laughed, took another sip of his drink, and searched out the men she was talking about. It wasn’t hard to spot them, even in the full bar area. Priest looked incredible, with his hair styled back from his remarkable face as he scanned the crowd with all-seeing eyes, as though he was a bodyguard instead of a guest, and with how close he was standing to Robbie, it was pretty clear which of the bodies he was interested in guarding. And Robbie didn’t seem to have one problem with that, judging by the cheeky smile on his face. Non, if anything, he looks as though he wants Priest to guard him a little closer.
“He’s gorgeous,” Lise said in Julien’s ear. “And just as taken with your man as we are.”
“Mmm,” Julien said, as he continued to watch Robbie and Priest interact. “That’s what makes him parfait.” Along with every other thing about him, Julien thought, when Robbie laughed at something Priest said, put a hand on his chest, and threw his head back in pure delight. Priest then touched his thumb to Robbie’s chin, and even from where Julien was standing, he could see the faint blush that hit their princess’s cheeks.
“I don’t know how or why you’re still over here,” Lise said, and Julien grinned at her.
“Because if I’d gone straight over to them, I wouldn’t have wanted to leave, and I had to make sure everything was set over here.”
Lise inclined her head. “Makes sense, and it is. The crew is getting ready out back, and as soon as we get everyone seated, we’ll start taking orders and get going. You have nothing to worry about. This menu is perfection. Take the night off and enjoy it. We’re going to have them eating out of our hands, and judging by the bar, drinking themselves into a stupor on your fine liquor.”