Brooke continued, “No matter what you do, you won’t be able to fake love from Gavin. The kid’s going to know.”
“And it’ll hurt him,” Amandine murmured. She’d seen how her father Norman had left a strong negative impression on her younger brother Pete.
Norman had been a used car salesman, and when he’d lost his job, he’d gone from one venture to another, looking for a quick way to strike it big. Except the “opportunities” he’d gotten into had cost money, and he’d squandered the family’s savings until they’d been evicted from their small three-bedroom apartment. If it hadn’t been for the Fairchilds, the family on her mother’s side, they would’ve ended up homeless.
Amandine had forgiven Norman’s flaws because he’d been a good father and loved his wife. But Pete hated him for being a loser who hadn’t been able to provide for his family in even the most fundamental ways. As the sibling who got all the brains, Pete had graduated from Stanford with a double major in mathematics and German and then gone on to work for Gavin…all with the specific intent of making money. Pete didn’t even pretend he was capable of anything like love—he’d never dated anyone long-term, and Amandine sensed the only things he valued were money and status, so he could feel secure again.
What would her child learn from Gavin, if Norman hadn’t been able to teach his own son how to love?
I don’t know what more you want from me for Mother’s Day
,
Mom
.
I got you a yacht
,
didn’t I?
Amandine shook her head. That wasn’t the kind of child she wanted to raise. “But what other options do I have?” she said. “I can’t leave Gavin.”
“Leave him? Are you even going to get the chance?” Brooke poured another glass. “He seems more interested in spending your anniversary in Houston than here with you.”
“You think Catherine wants Gavin back, don’t you?”
“Well, if she can’t have Jacob…” Brooke raised her eyebrows. “Let’s face it: she likes her men rich.”
“And Gavin was hers first,” Amandine said softly, thinking about the time her cousin had wanted something back.
When they’d been growing up together, every so often Catherine had given her clothes and other things that she didn’t want any more. Since Amandine’s parents never had any money to spare, they’d been always grateful. And so had Amandine, until Catherine had suddenly cornered her in the high school bathroom one day.
“Give me back the necklace,” Catherine said.
Amandine clutched the pretty golden chain to her neck. It had a crescent moon pendant and she’d never owned anything so beautiful. “I thought I could keep it.”
“I changed my mind.” Catherine crossed her arms. “It was mine in the first place.”
Catherine’s friends made a half-circle, watching Amandine with vulture-like interest.
“But…”
“You heard her,” Catherine’s best friend said. “What Catherine giveth Catherine can taketh away. It’s not like you have anything that goes with the necklace anyway.”
The other girls giggled. Amandine felt her cheeks grow hot as her gaze dropped to her shabby, big box store clothes.
In the end, she’d returned the necklace. And the next time Catherine had given her something, Amandine had been careful not to think of it as hers. Her cousin could change her mind at any time. Ironically enough, Catherine had never asked for anything back again.
Until now?
Come on
,
Amandine
.
Gavin isn’t a thing
.
Catherine hadn’t given Gavin away—he wasn’t some accessory you could just pass around. But at the same time he’d been her lover first, and what would prevent her from taking him from Amandine?
Marriage wouldn’t stop Catherine—even if she’d really been married in the first place. Amandine and Gavin’s own union had come with a prenup that ensured a divorce would be quick and squabble-free.
And the bedroom she shared with her husband suddenly had Catherine’s favorite flowers in it.
Her stomach churned, and Amandine took a long soothing swallow of tea. “Mind if I spend the night here?”
“Not at all.” Brooke’s dark eyes softened in sympathy and understanding. “Spend as many as you want.”
* * *
Gavin sighed as the jet finally left the airport. What a damn waste of time. Other than giving Amandine her present, he hadn’t done anything even remotely interesting or worthwhile the entire day.
He leaned back in his seat and forced himself to relax. He wanted to blame Jacob for his foul mood, but he knew himself too well to lie. Guilt about missing their anniversary dinner gnawed at him. In hindsight, he should’ve just sent Hilary to Houston. There was nothing his executive admin couldn’t do, including babysitting a hysterical Catherine.
Gavin pulled his phone out and saw several calls from a number in Houston he didn’t recognize and a couple of texts from Amandine. He checked the latter first.
First one:
Where are you? Should I leave or wait?
Second one:
Leaving now
.
He winced. She’d waited almost an hour before sending the second one.
He rubbed his face. Amandine had been looking forward to their dinner at La Mer. She’d made all the arrangements as well.
Damn it.
It was late now, but he should get a few dozen roses. That was the least he could do to start making it up to her.
He shook his head and made a small sound of annoyance. It was their anniversary; they should’ve eaten the best meal money could buy and then spent the rest of the evening having incredible sex. He’d really messed this one up, and after vowing to make it special for her.
Damn damn damn
.
He knew he could be inattentive and overly focused on work at times. He’d even missed her last birthday. Though amends had been made—a brand new Mercedes convertible coupe with a custom opalescent pink exterior paint job—it had been a poor substitute for not planning anything. Their vacation to the Maldives—another thing he’d done to make up for the birthday—had seemed somehow anticlimactic as well.
So what should he give her to tide things over until he could do something about the monumental disappointment that this day had turned out to be?
He considered a few options and called Hilary, who picked up on the first ring.
“I heard from Amandine you were in Houston. Is everything all right?”
“Yeah, it’s all fine. Listen, I want you to look into getting a small yacht.”
“Leasing or buying?”
“Buying.”
“For you or your wife?”
“For my wife.”
“Quite a gift.” Hilary sounded amused.
“Lots of people in our circle have one, and she’ll enjoy cruising the Pacific coastline.”
“I’m sure she will.”
Hilary’s affirmation soothed his frayed nerves. A yacht would be just the thing. The beautiful ocean views might even inspire Amandine’s artistic side. She loved the impressionists, so she could be like Monet, drawing blue water stuff, except with more style. “If you don’t see anything suitable, see about getting one built. Something elegant and expensive.”
“Will do. How soon do you need it?”
“ASAP.”
Just as he hit “end,” his phone buzzed. He frowned at the screen. It was the Houston number again.
“Gavin Lloyd,” he said curtly.
“Gavin! It’s Simon,” came a booming voice.
Gavin frowned at the over-familiar tone. “Simon…?”
“Simon Caldwell. From The Lloyds Development? I’m the CFO and Jacob’s right hand man.”
Right hand man
,
huh?
“I’ve been trying to reach you all afternoon,” Simon continued.
“I’ve been busy.”
“Of course.” He chuckled like they were old buddies. “Anyway, just a courtesy call to let you know you don’t need to worry about the company. Ethan said he’d oversee it temporarily.”
“I see.” Despite himself, Gavin was pleased with the news. Ethan was both sharp and thorough, just what the company needed. “If that’s all…”
“Ah yes. I won’t take up any more of your time. Good night.”
“Good night.” Gavin hung up. How odd that a so-called CFO thought this new development important enough to call Gavin multiple times. Did he not have better things to do?
The enormous lake of lights that was L.A. glittered on the other side of the window as the jet began a slow descent. Still thinking about TLD, Gavin tapped a finger on the armrest. There should be a contingency plan for the worst-case scenario. He wanted to believe Jacob had done his job at the company, but wouldn’t have bet even a penny on it.
But first things first. He dialed Mark Pryce.
“In case you’re wondering if your wife’s still here, the answer is a big fat no. She left a while ago.”
“I know.” Gavin stared at the seat across from him. “I need a favor.”
“Yeah?”
“Can you get us a reservation for lunch tomorrow?”
Mark sucked his teeth. “Do you have any idea how long the wait-list is for a table?”
“It’s important.”
“Makeup lunch?”
Gavin thought about denying it, but what would be the point? Mark had seen Amandine sitting by herself. “Something like that. A first step.”
“Twelve thirty, sharp. You can have a table for two for about an hour.”
“Thanks, I owe you one.”
“You owe me about ten or twelve,” Mark said with a chuckle then hung up.
Gavin’s phone buzzed again. It was another text message from Amandine.
I’m staying at Brooke’s tonight
.
He sighed. This was definitely going to cost him. And he couldn’t shake the feeling that the price was going to be far more than he was comfortable paying. He felt like a schmuck who’d shorted Apple right before the iPhone launch.
I’m sorry about dinner
, he typed.
I booked us a lunch date at La Mer tomorrow at twelve thirty
.
Can you come?
A few minutes later, a reply appeared:
OK
.
Not “I look forward to it” or “You stood me up, asshole” or a million other responses that would’ve shown what was going through her mind. Just “OK.”
Get a grip
. He was being ridiculous. Amandine wasn’t the type to get melodramatic. The shock of Jacob’s bigamy and all the attendant drama must’ve thrown him off more than he’d thought, nothing more. After a nice romantic lunch, Amandine would thaw a bit. And the yacht would delight her. He would clear his calendar for the last two weeks of December and take her someplace warm for some R&R on her new jet. She’d like that. All women did.
He could fix this situation.
THE NEXT MORNING, Brooke showed Amandine a silk cocktail dress and matching sandals. The fresh yellow color was cheery in the morning light. “Here, I think this should do it.”
“Thanks.”
“And here are the accessories.” Brooke pulled out a small velvet pouch from her purse.
“You thought of everything.”
“Of course! I want you to look like a goddess. Gavin deserves to be tortured a little. And then you can choose to bestow your favors upon him or not, as you see fit.”
Amandine nodded, seated in front of Brooke’s vanity. “Do you really think he’ll notice?”
“He’d better.”
Amandine sighed, half-regretting sending Brooke to her place to pick up some clothes. But she hadn’t been able to bring herself to go, coward that she was.
So don’t ask her
.
Don’t ask her!
“What kind of flowers were in the bedroom?”
Brook hesitated, then said, “Yellow roses. But they might be a coincidence.”
“The florist has never sent any before. Never.”
The rings on Amandine’s left hand winked. One was a simple classic platinum wedding band, the other the stunningly beautiful sapphire and diamond ring that Gavin had proposed with.
“Hey.” Brooke stood behind Amandine, looking at her in the vanity mirror. “Don’t let the little things get to you. He’s probably trying to show that he’s sorry, so give him a chance.” She leaned over and touched the rings. “No matter what, you’re the one wearing these, not Catherine.”
“The engagement ring wasn’t meant for me,” Amandine said, finally unable to be quiet about it. “He asked Catherine to marry him with it first.”
“
What?
How do you know?”
Amandine sighed. “Five years ago, when they were dating? We were all at one of Jacob’s parties, and Gavin was out on a balcony, looking at it, working up his nerve. Later that night, he proposed to her with it.
Brooke stared at her. “And then after she turned him down, he used it again to propose to you?”
“It came from his grandmother. His grandfather proposed to her with it.”
“Oh my god. So it’s an heirloom.”
“It is…and it’s beautiful. But I wish he’d gotten me a new ring, so I wouldn’t think about Catherine every time I look at it.”
And compare herself to all the women who wanted him. People always took note of Gavin. He wasn’t the most handsome man she’d ever seen. Los Angeles was full of pretty boys harboring dreams of becoming movie stars. But he was all boldness and intelligence and indomitable drive, qualities that made other men fade into the background.
But none of that had mattered to Catherine, who later had declared, “I’m not crazy enough to marry a guy who has an unstable job.”
“What do you mean
unstable
?” Amandine had said. “He has his own company, and is very successful.”
“He makes highly leveraged trades on things like corn, OJ, and currencies. It’s the quickest way to Chapter Seven. That’s how Dad lost everything. Sorry, but I’m not marrying a guy who gambles for a living. I’m aiming for stability.”
Except Catherine’s aim had been way off. Amandine brushed her hair and ran pink lipstick over her mouth. “I always told myself I shouldn’t wish for things beyond my reach. It’s a surefire recipe for misery. I can never measure up to Catherine, a real Fairchild.”
“Don’t be ridiculous. Catherine’s just a woman, nothing special.”
“Brooke. Look at her.”
“Okay, fine. An unusually pretty woman. Still nothing special.”
“You think that because her family lost its money, but breeding-wise it’s one of the top families. Better than the Lloyds, apparently. Aunt Olivia found Catherine’s marriage to Jacob acceptable only because the guy was rich.”