“Staci, that’s not necessary,” he said.
“Just trying to be smart,” she said. “I’m hoping to win this by next week.”
“I hope you do, too,” he said quietly.
Christian arrived and then a moment later Jack did. “Good news, guys, tonight you will be dining at Hamilton Ramsfeld’s house. He and Lorenz are fixing dinner for you. They’ve invited some special guests along and instead of making you wait until we get to Hamilton’s place I’ve brought the guests here to meet you.”
Jack went back outside. Staci looked at Remy and Christian and they both shrugged.
“At least they aren’t taping this,” Christian said, glancing around to confirm that there weren’t any cameras.
“That’s one small blessing,” Remy agreed.
They heard the door open and then the sound of footsteps on the marble foyer. Jack’s voice was a low rumble as he gave directions to whomever he had with him. The next minute a group of three people were standing before them. In the middle was Alysse.
Staci was so happy to see her best friend she almost started crying. She noticed that Remy’s dad stood next to Alysse and a tall, thin woman with mocha colored skin stood on the other side.
“Everyone this is Alexi Montrell, Christian’s wife. Alysse Dresden, Staci’s best friend and Alain Cruzel, Remy’s father,” Jack announced. “You have the rest of the afternoon free. Be back here in the living room dressed casually at five.”
Jack turned to leave as Christian rushed to Alexi’s side and lifted her off the ground in a big hug.Watching them made Staci wish that things had turned out differently for her and Remy.
“Hey, girl. I’ve missed you,” Alysse said, catching her in a warm hug.
“I’ve missed you, too,” Staci said, welcoming her friend.
“I brought brownies with me. Want to go somewhere and chat?” Alysse asked.
“May I interrupt?” Alain asked. “I’d really like the chance to speak to you, Staci.”
The last thing she wanted was a heart-to-heart with Remy’s dad but she had to admit she was intrigued. “All right. If Alysse doesn’t mind.”
“Oh, I don’t,” Alysse said. “I’ve got a few things I’d like to say to Chef Remy.”
Immediately, Remy looked worried.
Staci half smiled at that and followed Remy’s dad into the next room where there was a seating area.
“I’m sorry for butting in just then but we never got properly introduced,” he said. “And I really wanted to talk to you again.”
“I’m Staci Rowland,” she said. “I hope you will forgive the way I acted in New York. You and your wife were a surprise to me. The entire thing with Remy was a mess.”
“Yes, it was. Betsy and I both feel to blame for how things happened that day,” he said. “Please accept our apologies for everything.”
“You have nothing to apologize for,” she said. “Remy is responsible for all this.”
“Yes, he is. I understand that he felt pressured by me to do something he wasn’t ready for.”
“I don’t know what Remy told you about us, but he had shared certain stories with me. I think the expectation of always living up to or rather cooking up to your reputationtook its toll on him. I was just in the wrong place at the wrong time.”
“I don’t know about that,” Alain said. “Maybe you were in the right place.”
“How do you figure?”
“Remy told me that you and he were involved,” Alain said.
“He did?”
“Yes and his mother and I were happily surprised that you were. We’ve never met anyone Remy dated,” he said. “But yourself.”
