“Um, thank you.” Because Matthieu can’t ever take a compliment, he adds, “They’re very easy to do. I’d write up a recipe, but you don’t want to know how I made them.”
Despite racing this weekend, Sam seems unphased by the warning. “Are you at a restaurant? Personal chef?”
“A restaurant.”
“Not just any restaurant,” Maman interjects. “Matthieu’s restaurant has two Michelin stars.”
“Really?” It’s news to almost everyone at the table.
“I do not own the restaurant,” Matthieu hurries to say. “I’m aChef de Partie.”
“A line cook,” Julien translates. “It’s still a big deal, especially at his age and especially-especiallyat a good restaurant. When did you get the second star?”
“Some time after the first one.”
“Thanks, asshole.”
Rafael leans over to say, “If you ever wanted to work privately, I have a friend with too much money and too little time who’s in the market for a good chef.”
“Is this a lady friend?” Maman asks with zero subtlety.
“No, ma’am, he’s another driver.”
Sam hums. “That could be any of us. I watched Owain eat forty chicken nuggets dry once.”
Ew.
“I meant Santiago.” Rafael doesn’t look at Sam, even while replying to him. “We live in the same building in Monaco—he asked for recommendations.”
“Who is this?”In a split second, Matthieu has his phone out between himself and Julien, at thigh-height so Maman can’t see. His social media is already pulled up and his thumb finds the search bar.
Julien types in the name and opens the page.“He’s not exactly nice.”
“I don’t mind.”Matthieu casually scrolls through a collection of Santiago’s vacation photos and pauses on a shirtless pic.
There goes any chance of him making a baby anytime soon.
“You’re shameless.”
Matthieu likes and saves the post.“You’re one to talk.”
“I think he’s straight.”
“I’m sure he is.”Still, he likes several posts in a row.“But Chef runs a hard kitchen and I’d rather work for myself. Tell Rafael to give him my number?”
Julien bumps his brother with his shoulder.“Sure thing, Mathé”
Thomas pointedly clears his throat and the table settles into a hush. “I would like to thank everyone for being here and meeting Samuel. We might go public at some point this year and would appreciate your support.”
Julien sure as hell doesn’t support it, but he bites his tongue as Thomas looks everywhere but across the table.
“It has been very nice to meet you, Sam,” Maman says. “And you as well, Rafael. You are both welcome additions to the family.”
Julien jolts. Addition to the family?! That’s a huge leap from trading sexual favors for driving advice. “We’re just friends, Maman.”
“Of course,mon loulou. I am just saying that if anything changes, we would be happy to have you.” She directs the end of the sentence to Rafael with a warm smile and Julien stomach drops.
It’s sorta nice, actually, being with someone who blends into the family so well. To see how Rafael would fit in, how he holds his own.
