for this ridiculous idea, feeling silly for even asking. These people are trying to run a hotel and casino, and here I come with my extra demands.
“Miss Madison?” The voice returns.
“Yes? I’m here.”
“You are more than welcome to use the facilities and supplies of our French restaurant. La Petite Coquette.”
I feel my heart leap in surprise and anticipation. “Thank you! Thank you so much.”
“Of course. Head chef Jacques Renaud is expecting you.”
I hang up, slightly stunned at my success. Not only did I get permission to use a professional restaurant kitchen, but I’m going to be meeting a Michelin-starred chef while I’m at it. Maybe David’s right. It’s worth asking for what you want. You never know what might happen.
Chapter Twelve
David
After the fiasco with Deanna, I spend the rest of my afternoon in my private office, trying to catch up on paperwork. But I’m finding it tough to concentrate. It had already been evident that Lilly’s sister was a handful. I’m now quite certain that the girl is dealing with darker issues than I first realized. Showing up at Fortuna drunk and high in the middle of the day, and trying to drag Lilly away like that… It’s not that I care about Deanna. But the sight of Lilly’s shocked face left me feeling cold. I’ve been there myself, facing that stark realization that a loved one is past the point of no return.
I check my watch. Almost 6:00 p.m. I’ve been sitting here for hours and still am not even halfway through the stack of papers on my desk. I’ll just give it another two hours and then go check on Lilly.
The second I’ve made this decision, my phone rings. Clearly, fate is conspiring to prevent me from getting my work done today.
“What?” I bark the word into the phone, annoyed.
“Monsieur Miln-air!” Jacques sounds completely unperturbed by my rough greeting.
“What is it?” I tense up immediately. The chef of La Petite Coquette has zero reason to call me directly. It’s only happened once since he’s been here. Some idiot newly hired kitchen kid failed to fillet a fish correctly and a customer got a fish bone in the throat. The customer was fine but we narrowly missed a lawsuit that time. What could it be now?
“Perhaps you are ready for some dinner?” Jacques goes on jovially.
“I’m very busy, Jacques. I trust you’re aware of that.” I clench my fist on the desk, trying to maintain a polite tone.
“Ah, but it is nearly dinnertime! And there is a special meal being made for you here.”
“I didn’t ask for a goddamned special meal!” Has the old Frenchman gone completely nuts? This is completely out of character. Normally he’d never bother me with something so trivial.
“You will like this one! It is being made by a very special sous chef of mine. A Miss Madison.”
I pause, completely thrown.
“She’s there? At La Petite Coquette?”
“Yes, I make her head chef for tonight. Honorary!” Jacques lets out a big bellow. But my mind flashes back to the fishbone incident and I immediately tense up again.
“What the hell are you saying, Jacques? She’s cooking for guests?”
“No, no, of course not, Monsieur Miln-air,” Jacques chuckles gently. “She cooks only for you. A very special dish. You must come. Surely you are hungry, non? You did not make it to lunch today.” He’s right. After Deanna’s outburst, I was so annoyed, I shut myself into my private office and haven’t been out since.
“Fine. I’ll be there shortly.”
“Very good!” Jacques is still babbling on his goodbyes when I hang up. Christ. What on earth is she up to? I grit my teeth, trying to calm my nerves. Why did I just agree to this? I stare at the papers on my desk. But then an image of Lilly’s face from this afternoon flashes in front of me. I remember the evident shock as she came to realize her sister was likely not only an alcoholic but also into drugs. She immediately had to blink back tears. I sigh, heavily. Plus, Jacques is right. I do need to eat something.
I shove back the chair from my desk and head to the restaurant. The walk through the casino soothes me slightly. Strange as it may seem to some people, this is my home. I nod at my employees and watch as guests stroll across the floor. The action is just picking up for the evening. I like to see the excitement of people’s faces when they’re revved up with anticipation at