by Ella Frank
“Well, good,” Robbie drawled, and trailed his fingers across Priest’s chest. “Then we have nothing to worry about if I accidently drop my napkin under the table tonight and spend a little too long…finding it.”
As Priest walked ahead of Robbie to the door, he said, “Except your entire family who will be in attendance.”
Robbie’s feet came to a standstill. Damn it. For a minute there he’d forgotten all about them, and then Julien said, “He’s just playing with you, princesse. Now, let’s get moving, d’accord?”
RED-CARPET EVENTS. THEY were an oddity that Priest would never get used to, and as he watched Julien work his way down the line of reporters and journalists, he realized tonight was no different.
As always, he hung back in the wings, away from prying eyes and inquisitive minds, but close enough to step in if needed, which, luckily, he hadn’t been so far. Usually, he walked the distance on his own, but this evening he had an excited Robbie by his side, and watching him take in the outpouring of love and respect everyone had for Julien was something to behold.
His blue eyes were sparkling with pleasure, and the expression was one that had been so rare over the last week that it was nice to finally see it back in full force.
Priest stepped up alongside their princess. “It’s pretty incredible, isn’t it?”
Robbie looked at him, and if it were possible, his smile grew even brighter. “It really is. I’ve never seen anything like it. They love him.”
“Like you said,” Priest whispered, and kissed Robbie’s temple. “He’s easy to love.”
“And that’s never bothered you before?”
“What’s that?”
“People other than you loving him?”
“I don’t think anyone loves him quite as much as I do, except you. And that doesn’t bother me in the slightest.”
Robbie’s eyes took on a whimsical light that made Priest want to drag him to the ground right there in front of everyone, despite the damn cameras. “No?”
“No. In fact, it pleases me. Knowing that you two have each other.”
That dreamy light that had just been in Robbie’s eyes dimmed somewhat. “What do you mean? We have you too.”
“Of course you do. But it’s nice to know you also have one another.” Priest looked over Robbie’s shoulder as a reporter at one of the step-and-repeats got in close to Julien, making him take a step back.
Priest’s eyes narrowed, and he put his hand on Robbie’s lower back to guide him further up the walkway, keeping an eye on the reporter, who was asking something that had Julien shaking his head.
“You better not mean that in some doom-and-gloom kind of way,” Robbie said. “Because while I get what you’re saying, and we all grow old, nothing else is going to happen. To you or to any of us.”
“I just meant it in general,” Priest said, his attention now firmly fixed on the reporter. “Will you give me a second?”
Robbie nodded, and Priest stepped around him and moved over to where Julien was with the journalist.
When Julien sensed him there and glanced over his shoulder, Priest said, “Is everything okay over here?”
“Everything’s good,” Julien said, and touched the arm of Priest’s coat, but his features were more strained than Priest would’ve expected, considering the amazing turnout for the night. That could only mean the douche with the microphone had said or done something to make Julien feel uncomfortable, and that put the guy firmly on Priest’s radar.
“I was just asking Mr. Thornton if he was sharing the night with anyone special. Family? Friends?” The reporter eyed how close Julien and Priest were standing, and where Julien’s hand rested. “A significant other, perhaps?”
There were many reasons a celebrity preferred to keep their relationship under the radar, privacy being the major one. But for Priest and Julien, it had always been about more than that.
Yes, privacy had been the original reason behind Julien’s desire to keep all interviews strictly business. But after the two of them had become an item, it had become an extra precaution against anyone unsavory who might recognize Priest. Tonight was no different.
“I’m his lawyer,” Priest said in a tone so frigid it just about added ice to the cool street they were standing on.
“That’s right,” Julien said, and removed his hand to turn back to the reporter. He offered a confident smile, seemingly more at ease now that Priest was by his side. “And to answer your question, I’m sharing the night with people like Mr. Priestley who have been with me through this entire journey. My manager, Lise, is also running around here somewhere. She moved out here from L.A. to help me get this location up and running, and that means the world to me, especially since I’m dedicating tonight, and this restaurant, to my beautiful twin sister, Jacquelyn, who I lost in a terrible tragedy many years ago.”
Priest couldn’t believe what had just come out of Julien’s mouth. But as the reporter floundered for a few seconds, Julien aimed those beautiful eyes at Priest, along with a reassuring smile. When he mouthed, I’m okay, promis, Priest’s lips curved at the side, and he wanted to hug and kiss Julien so badly that he ached with it.
He knew how much this acknowledgement of Jacquelyn meant, and how much of a struggle Julien had gone through to get to a point where he could look at her loss in a different light. This was a giant step in the direction of healing, one Priest knew was brought on because of the young man waiting behind them in the shimmering blue suit.
“I’m so sorry for your loss,” the reporter said. “I wasn’t aware you had a sister.”
Priest braced himself, wondering if Julien would elaborate, if he would be okay.
“Up until now I haven’t discussed her in public. But tonight is special, and I want to celebrate her.”
Priest’s heart filled with pride, and he marveled over the courageous man in front of him. He took a step back to stand by Robbie’s side, knowing that Julien had this, knowing he would be all right.
AS PRIEST MELTED back into the crowd, a newfound confidence took over Julien. Now that he’d publicly acknowledged Jacquelyn and hadn’t been struck by lightning, it got increasingly easier to talk about her as he went along the step-and-repeats. He spoke about their love of food as children, their move from France to America, and how cooking had eventually brought her back to him, allowed him to help celebrate her instead of mourn her loss.
It was an incredible feeling of freedom to finally be able to speak of her in a positive light instead of one that would bring him pain and suffering, and he had Robbie and Priest to thank for that, the two men who had helped him realize that it was time to work through his demons. It was time for Julien to forgive himself for something he had no control over, and hopefully, someday soon, he’d be able to get a handle on the anxiety that still crept up on him when he was least expecting it.
As he neared the front entrance of the restaurant under the beautifully restored awning, Julien saw a crowd of people waiting near the revolving door for signatures. Those fans of his who had come out tonight for a glimpse not only of the new restaurant and him, but also the celebrities and VIP guests invited.
He walked up to the first group of people. A young lady held out an old copy of one of the gossip magazines he’d been featured in during his run on Chef Master. He’d been decked out in his chef whites with his arms crossed and his sleeves rolled up, and the caption read, Hot in the kitchen and even hotter out of it!
“Bonsoir, mademoiselle,” Julien said as he smiled and reached for the magazine and Sharpie she held out to him.
The woman gazed up at him and grinned. “Hello.” She looked over her shoulder at the woman behind her, and then turned back to Julien. “I’m sorry, but…” Julien uncapped the pen and began to sign. “I just loved you on Chef Master. I’ve been to all the openings of your restaurants, and I just…I can’t believe I finally got your signature. I’m in culinary school right now and I think you’re just amazing.”
&nbs
p; Julien chuckled as he handed the magazine and Sharpie back to her. “Merci. I assume you aren’t from Chicago, then.”
“No,” she said, and shook her head. “We flew in from Denver. Me and my sister.”
Julien looked over the woman’s shoulder at the lady standing behind her, and made a spur-of-the-moment decision. “Denver? Wow. That’s a long way. You must be hungry.” When the woman frowned, Julien flashed her a smile and leaned forward. “How would you both like to come and have dinner with me and my friends tonight?”
“Wh…what?”
“Dinner? Would you like to come and have a meal at JULIEN?”
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.”
Julien finished off his drink and placed his glass down on the counter. “Thanks, Brian,” he said to one of the two bartenders.
“Would you like another, Mr. Thornton?”
“Non, but I’ll take a water. Merci.”
Once Julien had his drink in hand, he and Lise parted ways. She went out to check on the kitchen, and he finally headed toward his men. Julien wanted to keep all his faculties about him tonight. There were a lot of important people here to impress, and—
“Robert Antonio Bianchi!” The excited exclamation, and the sheer volume of it, interrupted Julien’s train of thought and had him—and the entire restaurant, really—turning in the direction it had come from.
There, standing just inside the entrance of JULIEN, was a beautiful woman in an elegant black dress with her hands held out in front of her as she made a beeline through several other guests toward her son, who—poor Robbie—looked as though he wanted the ground to open up and swallow him whole.
“Robert, come and give your mother a kiss.”
Priest looked to be biting the inside of his cheek to hold back a laugh as the tiny woman stopped in front of him and Robbie, stood on tiptoes, and cupped her son’s cheeks.
“It’s so good to see you, baby,” she said, and after she planted a smacking kiss on his lips, she wrapped her arms around his neck, and Robbie wound his around her waist.
“You too, Ma,” he said, and kissed her temple as Julien came up behind Robbie’s mother. Robbie caught Julien’s eye and mouthed, I’m sorry. But Julien grinned, loving this rare opportunity they were getting to see Robbie so…flustered.
“This place is just divine,” Robbie’s mother said as she released her hold on him, oblivious to the fact the owner now stood behind her. “To think we spent all those months on the phone watching and voting for Mr. Thornton, and now here we are, in his restaurant.”
“I know, Ma,” Robbie said, his cheeks turning the color of ripe tomatoes, and Priest apparently couldn’t hold back his amusement any longer.
“Well, hello there,” Robbie’s mother said to Priest. “I’m Sofia, this beautiful boy’s mother.”
When she patted Robbie’s cheek, he groaned. “Ma…”
“What? You are beautiful. Especially in this suit. I love the sparkles.”
Robbie grinned and gave a little shrug. “Me too. That’s why I picked it.”
“Of course it is.”
A low laugh escaped Priest as he stepped up beside Robbie and held his hand out. “Good evening. I’m Joel.”
Sofia raised a dainty hand and slipped it into Priest’s, and as he shook it, she gave him a thorough once-over. Julien could cert
ainly see where Robbie got his sass from. “My, my, you’re very dashing in your suit tonight.”
When Robbie looked at Priest, Julien wasn’t sure he realized that his eyes were basically screaming that Priest was even better out of that suit.
“Thank you,” Priest said. “You look lovely this evening also.”
“Oh, stop it. You’re too kind,” she said with a laugh that was as delightful as she was. “And how do you know my son, Joel?”
As the corner of Priest’s lips curved in a relaxed kind of smile that meant trouble, Julien shook his head.
When Priest was like this, all charisma and charm, he was a force to be reckoned with. When he looked to Robbie—who just about melted at his feet—he said, “I met him when I worked on Vanessa’s case.”
Robbie’s mother frowned. “Vanessa? As in, our Vanessa?” Then her eyes grew wide. “You’re the lawyer who helped Vanessa? Priest?”
Priest, obviously sensing what Julien had, narrowed his eyes on Robbie, knowing that it was more than likely whatever Sofia knew of him from that time spent together was not flattering.
“God,” Robbie said. “Kill me now.”
“Oh no,” Priest said, and flashed a wolfish grin at Robbie. “You are not going to get out of this that easily.”
But before Priest could ask for more information, Robbie jumped in and distracted his mother in the most effective way possible.
“Ma, if you turn around,” he said with a radiant smile, “you’ll get to meet your favorite French chef.” And as she let out an excited gasp and twirled around to face him, Julien saw Robbie poke his tongue out at Priest, knowing that that crisis was averted…for now—rascal.
“Oh,” Sofia said, as she brought her hand to her chest and gazed at Julien. “Be still my beating heart. You are even more handsome in person than you are on the television.”
Julien held his hand out, and when she took it, he brought it to his lips and kissed the backs of her fingers. “Merci. Bonsoir, mademoiselle,” he said, laying the French on thick because a) Sofia was a longtime fan of the French chef she knew, and b) he knew it would drive Robbie absolutely crazy.
