“Her opinion changed over the next couple months.”
Maddy gave a rueful laugh. “No doubt.”
He raised his hands. “I had nothing to do with that. You know Allison never liked you. She bent Evangeline’s ear every chance she got.”
“Allison is a hostess who couldn’t even show up to work on time. Why would Evangeline listen to her?”
“Allison is no longer there for that very reason, but she was a little drama queen behind the scenes. She stirred up some of the others and got them on her side. You had a mutiny on your hands and didn’t even know it.”
She wouldn’t put it past Allison, but then, she only had Nick’s word. Noelle had never mentioned any of this to Holly. But then, Allison had probably left Noelle out of her games since her sister was best friends with Maddy.
“You ran a tight ship, and Allison didn’t like following rules. That’s on her, not you. But Evangeline took her complaints more seriously than she should’ve.”
And Maddy guessed Nick had done nothing to defend her. But what did it matter now? Water under the bridge. The job was long gone, and she and Nick were over.
“What do you want, Nick?” she asked wearily. “Why are you here?”
“I told you, I owe you a big apology. I’d like your forgiveness, though I know I don’t deserve it.”
He had more to say. She could hear it in his voice. “And...”
“And...” He gave her a charming smile. “I have an opportunity I wanted to share with you. Something right up your alley. I’m not sure if you’ve got another job lined up yet, but when I heard about this I thought of you immediately.”
“A job?” She remembered what she’d overheard him saying to Evangeline and couldn’t hold back. “What about my ‘tendency to get frazzled’? My ‘inability to handle responsibility’?”
“Ah, Maddy, I was an idiot. I know that, okay? Cut a guy a break. I’m trying to make up for it. That’s why I came. A buddy of mine is launching a restaurant in downtown Charlotte. I told you about it. He had the managerial staff lined up, but the general manager position fell through. I convinced him you’d be perfect for it.”
“And you think I’d be interested?” In something Nick had set up with “a buddy of his”?
“It’s a great opportunity, Maddy. I considered taking it myself.”
“What about Pirouette? You just got that position.” Stole it, but who was counting? “And what about Evangeline? You were just going to leave her hanging out to dry after she promoted you?”
“That’s why I decided to stay. But Evangeline and I were never serious, Maddy. We’re not even together anymore. I work for her now—that’s it.” He tilted a look at Maddy. “She’s just not you, babe.”
She bristled. “Don’t call me that.”
“Come on, Maddy. I wasn’t going to get into this today, because I think we need to focus on the job opportunity. But I do miss you; I’m just going to leave that right there for now. Have you accepted another position somewhere?”
Maddy blinked at the emotional whiplash. “Not yet, but I have my feelers out. And to be honest, Nick, I’m a little skeptical about your involvement in this opportunity.”
He put up his hands, palms out. “I’m not involved, not really. I’m just the broker of the deal, and I don’t need an answer today. Just think about it. It’s a great opportunity, and you shouldn’t let your emotions get in the way of that. You should know they have a great up-and-coming chef onboard—Louis Antoine Marseille.”
Maddy did a double take. She’d read an article about him inFood and Winemagazine.He’d graduated from Le Cordon Bleu in Paris and had worked with some of France’s best chefs. He was a great catch, and it showed the owner was serious about excellent cuisine.
“I told you it was a great opportunity. The job’s not going to be available forever, though. Miles wants to lock down the management in the next couple weeks.” He set down his iced tea. “Take a walk on the beach? I can tell you more about it.”
Maddy hated to admit it, but she was tempted. Even despite the drawback of Nick’s involvement, it could be a real career boost.
Chapter 26
Connor had forgotten what this felt like... being happy, having hope. He’d gotten so accustomed to the dark cloud hanging over his head that it had become his normal.
Maddy had changed all that. Who could’ve known that the woman he’d thought snarky and judgmental was actually the answer to his prayers? The reason he was driving down the road with a goofy grin on his face.
It’s just the beginning, he reminded himself, trying to temper his expectations. Although they’d spent a decent amount of time together, he’d only known her a matter of weeks. And his hope felt out of proportion with the beginner status of their relationship.
And then there was that kiss. She’d been so soft and warm and responsive. And man, did he love the sweet scent of her hair. He craved it when he was away from her.
