I take another sip of my beer. "I still want to branch out eventually, do more than what we're doing here. But I just don't think I care enough about the Michelin stars and the critical praise and the whole circus of chasing recognition anymore."
He looks at me, a slow smile spreading across his face. "Well well, who knew the deal falling through would bring you such insight and wisdom. Very mature of you, little brother. Though I have to say, I never thought I'd see the day when Alex Midnight turned down prestige and recognition."
I laugh. "Yah well, I think it's the deal collapsing but also spending so much time in Napa Valley that finally knocked it into my head. The whole Seattle trip I was telling myself how excited I was about the new restaurant. But I didn't stop to actually look at how much happier I was in Napa with Isabelle. Or visiting Dark River for that one day when we had a break from meetings. That's when I felt good."
Theo's expression softens. "And Isabelle? Any word from her in NYC?"
I shift in my chair. "No, she and Margot are exploring the city today so I didn't push for updates. She had that job interview thing with her old colleague. I haven't heard how it went."
Theo watches me carefully. "You worried she's going to take it?"
I stare out at the water, watching the rain create patterns on the surface. "I don't know. Maybe. I mean, she flew all the way out there to look at it, so she must be considering it seriously."
"You letting her go if she takes it?" Theo asks quietly.
I turn to look at him. "I don’t want to, but I'm not really sure where we are right now. If she wants what I do, or if she wants to take that New York job and go back to the life she had planned. I mean, she flew out there to look at it. That has to mean something."
"Did she seem super interested when she told you about it?" Theo asks.
I shrug. "She's pulled back a bit emotionally, so I'm not really sure what she's thinking. I keep telling her I don't hold the deal falling apart against her, which I don't, but I think she feels guilty about it and maybe New York was her running away a bit. Or maybe it's what she actually wants and she's trying to figure out how to tell me. I don't know."
Theo nods slowly. "I'm sorry, man. I hope you two can figure it out and get past this. We all loved her."
I smile at that, impossible not to when thinking of Isabelle. I've been missing her like crazy these last few days since she left for New York. The kitchen feels wrong when I'm cooking alone, and I keep reaching for my phone to text her before remembering she's three thousand miles away, probably making decisions about her future that might not include me.
The door to the restaurant opens and Michael, one of our servers, pops his head out. "Uhhh, Alex? There's some guy hereto see you. He's kind of intense, but do you want me to send him out?"
I don't really know what to say to that. "Sure? Is he a customer who wants to complain about something?"
Michael shakes his head. "I have no idea. He just walked in and said he knows you and needs to speak with you. Very formal, very... I don't know, intimidating?"
I glance at Theo who shrugs at me, looking as confused as I feel.
I nod at Michael. "Yeah, send him out I guess."
Michael disappears back inside, the door clicking shut, and Theo laughs. "Maybe one of your adoring fans came to praise the chef and tell you how amazing the salmon was."
I laugh. "Jokes on them since Miranda is cooking tonight. I am enjoying being lazy."
The door opens again and shock runs through my entire body as Jean-Pierre Beaumont steps out onto the patio. He's dressed in a long wool coat, dark and expensive-looking, and he looks irritated and cold as he surveys the covered deck with obvious distaste. His salt-and-pepper hair is slightly wet from the rain, and his expression when he sees me is exactly as warm as I expected, which is to say, not at all.
I stay seated deliberately, keeping my feet propped up on the railing like I don't have a care in the world. As if I'm going to fucking get up and greet him properly after everything that's happened.
He nods politely to Theo, acknowledging him with the bare minimum of civility, then turns to me with a look of barely disguised disgust.
"Alex," he says. "May I speak with you privately?"
I glance at Theo and give him a small nod. Theo stands and gives Jean-Pierre the coldest, most contemptuous look I've ever seen him give another human being. Theo's the kindest and most patient out of all of us brothers, never one to be outwardlyhostile or mean-spirited even when someone deserves it. But he's fiercely loyal and protective of the people he cares about. I suppress a smile and take a sip of my beer.
Theo walks past Jean-Pierre without a word, his shoulder nearly brushing the older man's, and disappears back into the restaurant. The door shuts with a definitive click.
"So," I say, not bothering to stand or change my posture, gesturing lazily at the seat where Theo just was. "Come to yell at me in person?"
Jean-Pierre looks irritated, his jaw tightening. Good.
He moves to the chair and sits stiffly. "I've come to talk to you about my daughter. I want you to stay away from her."
I stare at him for a long moment. "You're serious right now?"