I'd fail if I had to make an estimate of the number of meetings I’d had in my bistro over the last week. Lots of them revolved around Aiden, who finally talked to me. Like Louise and I thought, there was no trust fund. Not even a house. He didn’t have money to start over, and his so-called father was accused of fraud. The articles Louise showed me portrayed Aiden as his father’s copy, effectively ruining his chances at a job in the city. 

And to make everything even gloomier, Ellie accepted the offer to study at a prestigious Art school in Paris. Except Aiden thought it was in Rome. Steve lied to him, confirming my suspicions that Lou’s uncle had zero good intentions when it came to Daniel Kennedy’s son. My patience around Steve was so thin I feared it’d crack like the ice covering a pond in spring each time another jab at Aiden left Steve’s mouth. The silver lining was, detective Donovan would go back to London soon. 

That was the only positive something. Although Leo, Marco, and I joined efforts to help Aiden recover, I had no clue what to do with him once he was done with his exams. With Ellie far, he’d have no choice but to move on, and it was a tough task in the city where his reputation had been marred by a bunch of sensation-seeking vultures.

The boy was on my mind all the time. Images of him crying in the guest room at my place and memories of the evening we almost lost him to the raging ocean fueled the guilt I felt despite knowing I couldn’t have done more. 

I gave him a place to stay, and Leo assured me the sessions he had with Aiden would help him. Hiding the truth from Lou ate at me too, but I didn’t trust Steve, although he seemed to have convinced both Lou and Ellie of his lack of involvement in everything Aiden-related.

I arrived at the bistro early today. Neglected paperwork awaited me in my office, and I busied myself with orders and invoices as soon as I sat behind my desk.

When my phone rang, that something happened to Aiden was the first thought that crossed my mind. A glance at the gadget told me it wasn’t the case, but my heart pounded, regardless. Jean’s wife never called me, although we’d spent enough time together to treat each other like family.

“Chloe,” I said, “ça va bien?”

She sighed. “Non.”

I sank further into the leather armchair and pinched the bridge of my nose while Chloe told me Jean had a heart attack. My worry ebbed some after she assured me his condition wasn’t critical, but I’d be way calmer if I could talk to Jean.

“When can I call him?” I asked. 

“Tomorrow. I just wanted you to talk some sense into the stubborn man. He’s already asked the doctors to let him go back to work because he worries about his bistro.”

I groaned. “Mon Dieu. Don’t tell me he doesn’t have an assistant.”

“The man is still learning, and you know how things are here in spring and summer.”

“Weddings, celebrations… I get why Jean’s concerned, but his health should always come first.”

Chloe chuckled. “You’ll have to tell him what you’ve just told me. Maybe he’ll listen.”

“Unless…” I picked up a pen from the desk and twirled it between my fingers. “How long does Jean need to rest? What do the doctors say?”

“At least a couple of weeks. A month would be amazing, but that’s less likely. Why?”

“I could travel there. Help run things at the bistro and lend his assistant a hand while Jean is recovering. Would that be alright?”

“More than. Oh my God, you’d make us so happy. We haven’t seen you in forever.”

I couldn’t help but feel nostalgic each time I remembered my old life. At least, the good parts of it that were such because of my dad, Jean, and his wife.

“Let me buy a ticket. I’ll call you when I have it,” I said.

“D’accord. Merci, Thierry.”

As soon as Chloe hung up, I video-called my dad. 

“Thierry.” His brows scrunched up. “Is everything alright?”

“Are you busy?”

He shook his head, and his garden appeared on the screen. “Living the good life, I see.” I smirked.

“I wish. We closed an important deal, and I went home after lunch with the customer. I’m working on my laptop, but the weather is too good to stay at the office. You should do the same.”

“Not today.” I rubbed a palm across my forehead. “Chloe called to tell me Jean had a heart attack.”

Dad’s face was back on the screen. “How is he?”

“Bad, but not too bad. He’ll need to rest, and I offered to help him with the bistro.”

“Are you coming home, then?”

“Yeah.”

“And Aiden? Will he be okay on his own?”

“I don’t know. He’s been busy with his exams, but although he sent resumes, I’m almost positive nobody will hire him. I don’t know what to do. He’s smart, and giving him a job at my restaurant feels wrong. He’d settle for less when he deserves way more.”

Dad rubbed the stubble covering his chin. “What you can pay him wouldn’t be enough to save for a degree. I could give him a job if he agrees to move here.”

“Would you do that?”

Dad shrugged. “Why not? He’s young and smart, and we’re swamped. I’d rather hire someone I know. It’ll be good for Aiden to achieve something on his own. Plus, Ellie will be here. I know, I know. He thinks she’s moving to Rome. Maybe it’s not bad that he does.”

I was keeping way too many secrets already, but I read what dad didn’t say between the lines. “So, do you suggest we let him think she’s there?”

“For now. Once Aiden’s used to his job and living here, we’ll make them meet. Let him become stronger and more independent.”

“If only he’d agree,” I mumbled.

“You’ll have to be convincing.” Dad winked. “That’s something you were good at as a kid. Time to remember how it’s done.”

***

There wasn’t an ounce of energy left in my body by the time I returned home. The smell of something Italian wafting from the kitchen put a smile on my face. If Aiden cooked, he felt better for sure.

"Hey,” he said when I stepped over the threshold. "I don't know if you've eaten; I made dinner."

"Thanks, Aiden." 

I strode over to the cabinet to get the plates, but Aiden beat me to it. "I'll do it. Is everything alright?"

"Not really. I got a call from France."

"Is it Victor?" Aiden frowned.

"No. Fortunately, he's okay. It's Jean. His wife called me to tell he'd had a heart attack."

"I'm sorry. Will he be alright?"

"If he slows down and lets the doctors do their job, he will. He was working like a madman. At some point, you need to learn to delegate. Well, enough of the sad stuff. Any news?"

"I've got some more rejections. I also paid the debt. I went to see the owner today." 

"Good. What about school?"

"It's done. They'll mail the grades and the documents."

"The all-nighters you pulled studying paid off, then?"

"Guess so." 

We sat at the table to eat the pasta Aiden made. "I'm proud of you." I smiled. "And this stuff is good. Really good."

"Thanks. Did you hear from Louise?"

"Yes, about that. It looks like their uncle's leaving tomorrow. And after dinner, I wanted to talk to you." 

After dinner, we went to the library. I poured myself a shot of cognac and sat on the leather couch next to Aiden. It was time to be convincing.

"I'll have to go to Paris,” I said, taking a sip. “Jean is going to have to rest for a couple of weeks. That restaurant of his is his life. He has an assistant, but the man is new. He doesn't know how that place works as well as I do. I want to help him. How many rejections did you get?"

Aiden studied his hands clasped on his knees. "More than two hundred. Why?"

He’d been tirelessly sending resumes, but just like I thought, his efforts were fruitless. "I want you to come with me. More than that, I want you to move to Paris."

The boy stared at me as if what I said was complete nonsense.

"Aiden, I could give you a job at the bistro, but that's not what you really want, and we both know it. You applied for tons of vacancies, and because of those articles, you're getting rejected. It's unfair, but it'll be a while until someone hires you. You need to earn money and save some of it. You need to study because if you're determined to succeed, a degree or some training is a must. You won't be able to do it here. Besides, you'll be closer to Ellie."

"I don't speak French. Nobody's gonna hire me there."

"Listen before you say no. My dad's company is huge. I talked to him, and they have openings. He'll gladly give you a job. In three summer months, you can learn some French. It's the best way. You've got some money left after selling the car, but it won't last. Ellie's moving out of the country at the end of May."

"Thierry, I have no experience."

"Are you chickening out?" 

Jean used that line with me. So did my father. Somehow, it always worked.

"It's just...I didn't expect it. You've already helped me by letting me stay here. I feel like I'm taking advantage." 

"Cut the bullshit. You cook and clean and keep me company. I'm benefiting from this as much as you do. So, what do you say?"

Aiden didn’t utter a word for a while, his gaze darting between the books on the shelves of the mahogany bookcase and the Persian rug on the floor. I didn’t rush him because even though we both knew my offer was the best thing for him right now, I wanted him to accept help willingly.

"Okay,” he finally said. “When would we go?"

I grinned. "That's the fun part. The day after tomorrow. Make sure you pack and get everything ready. I'm staying with Lou tomorrow night. 

"Are you busy in the morning?" he asked.

"I can find the time. Why?"

"I wanted to go to Southville. You told me Ellie's mother's funeral is on Saturday. I wanted to leave some flowers there. It's just that now I don't have a car, and you only have one."

"Say no more. We'll do it."

I rose from the couch and squeezed Aiden’s shoulder on my way out of the room. In the kitchen, I rinsed my glass and pulled up the notes app to prepare a list of tasks Marco would have to do in my absence. 

I guessed he could blame his boss for being single still — he wouldn’t have time for anything other than work while I was away.