If Andrew forfeited the contest and went back now, he’d be right where he’d been. Not such a bad place at all. But if he stayed, and he won, that would be one nice chunk of change toward starting his own restaurant. No matter where he decided to open it. Of course, if Francois fired him, Andrew may have no choice but to stay in the U.S. to do it. Once Francois had blackballed a chef, it took a long time to earn his way back into the circle.

Andrew tried to keep his voice calm. “I’m sorry to let you down. I promise you, Gillian is ready. Give her the chance, Francois.”

“You know how I feel about women in charge of my kitchen.”

“Trust me on this, Francois. I’ve never steered you wrong.”

A long, guttural moan came from the phone. “I’ll handle it,” he grumbled.

Andrew could imagine the wrinkle in Francois’ forehead, the one that creased so deeply it made his eyebrows seem to meet and curve into devil-like horns on the ends.

“We’ll talk when you get back.”

“Yes, sir.”

He hung up the phone and let out a long breath, dropping his forehead into his hands. “Not good.” With his eyes closed, he saw the same scenario play out in his head a dozen times, and that was just in the past two years. Francois had a short fuse. He ran though chefs like they were day-old bread.

Andrew had never, until now, considered that he was the only constant around Francois since he’d been in France. And yet, would he ever reach the heights of his own career in the shadows of Francois?

“Well played,” Lori said.

“I hope I haven’t just closed the door with him. He’s not forgiving,” Andrew said. “At all.”

“Well, the right thing will happen.”

“You’re one of those, huh?”

“One of what?”

“Those look-on-the-bright-side types. Kelly would’ve given me the exact same advice. Only I don’t think that’s always true. Lately, I’ve been thinking my life would be a lot different in a better way if I’d never gone to Paris.”

“She must have been pretty special in your life at one time.”

“That doesn’t begin to describe her.” He wondered where she was tonight.

“I hear melancholy in that statement. You really did love her.”

He nodded.

“Fine, I’m not sure listening to those messages was the best way to get you to relax, but it certainly was exhausting. I’ll wake you in the morning.”

The following morning at the studio, they started with the announcement of who took the loss in the second round. Since it was double elimination, everyone was still in play for the $100,000 prize.

Andrew stood in front of his covered plate in the kitchen on set, waiting for the music intro and lights to go live.

“In three…two…one…”