Forever in Love

by Nadia Lee

  Chapter Twenty

  Los Angeles was as beautiful as ever with bustling traffic and people. The air was dry, but not too hot, and the combination of smog and the setting sun turned the sky impressive shades of purple and orange. Catherine sat in Amandine’s custom pink Mercedes, while Amandine navigated the traffic.

  “What happened to Brooke?” Catherine asked. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d seen Amandine drive herself anywhere.

  “She quit. Decided she wanted to be an interior decorator.”

  “That’s a surprise.”

  Amandine laughed. “To me, too. But it was something she’s wanted to do since forever.”

  “Then why was she working as your assistant/chauffeur?”

  “It was a more secure job. She didn’t want to worry her father. He stayed single and spent all his time raising her and her sister, and I guess she felt like she had to show him she was all set in life.”

  Catherine mulled that over. “In that case, what made her quit?”

  “She decided to be more gutsy. Pursue her dreams, and all that. You know.”

  “Interesting.”

  “And she started dating Pete.”

  Catherine choked. “What? Pete as in your brother?”

  “Uh-huh.”

  “But he doesn’t do long-term relationships. Didn’t he say something about how his job was his mistress?”

  “Apparently he’s decided to cheat with Brooke.”

  “My god. It’s so…strange to imagine him dating anybody seriously.”

  “They’ve moved in together, so I guess they’re pretty serious.”

  Catherine shook her head. “Well well well. So do you have a new assistant?”

  “Not yet. Gavin’s been trying to get me to hire one. If I don’t pick somebody in the next two weeks, I think he’s going to sic Hilary on it.”

  “What’s wrong with that?” Gavin’s assistant Hilary was super efficient, and there was nothing that woman couldn’t do.

  “I enjoy being on my own from time to time. It wasn’t so bad with Brooke, but having a stranger follow me around everywhere is not my idea of fun.”

  “Then tell him.”

  Amandine got a stubborn gleam in her eye. “Oh don’t you worry. I will. And I’ll convince him to see it my way too.”

  Catherine nodded with approval. It was good to see her cousin being more assertive. She used to be so cowed and quiet, always deferring to her husband and in-laws. Whatever had happened between her and Gavin had done wonders.

  The pink Mercedes finally made it to the giant mansion Gavin had bought years ago. The garden looked gorgeous, and Catherine’s breath caught at the sight of yellow roses. She blinked away sudden tears. How ridiculous of her to cry over some flowers.

  Amandine glanced sideways at her and said, “I thought you’d like them. I planted tulips, too. I love the red blossoms next to all the yellow.”

  “Thank you. They’re beautiful.”

  “Let’s go in. You up for Mexican? Luna’s fajitas are to die for.”

  The phrase reminded Catherine of her arrival in Cooter’s Bluff and gave her an unexpected pang of nostalgia. “I’m always up for Mexican,” she said. Things would be all right. Having somebody on her side, who supported her unconditionally, meant the world to her and boosted her morale like nothing else.

  “She didn’t make any salad though.” Amandine parked her car and looked at Catherine, while worrying her lower lip. “I feel like you should eat something more substantial. You look so thin.”

  “I had to lose some weight.”

  Amandine lowered her voice. “Did Jacob comment on your weight or something?”

  Catherine looked away. He’d done exactly that, but she didn’t want to admit it still had so much power over her.

  “I knew it. God, if he were here right now, I’d punch him.” Amandine smacked her fist into her palm.

  “Don’t. He’s not worth it.”

  Amandine flashed a tight smile. “You’re right. Come on. Let’s go in.”

  Catherine took a deep breath and walked past the enormous white columns and into the mansion. Gavin appeared almost instantly, as if he’d sensed Amandine’s return. His usually neat hair was sticking up a bit, and the intense hungry look that was typically on his face had vanished, making him appear more relaxed and approachable.

  He kissed Amandine on the mouth then said, “Hi, Catherine.”

  “Hi.” She gave him an uncertain smile. Their last meeting hadn’t gone very well, with both of them flinging less than kind words at each other.

  “I’m glad you came.” He sounded surprisingly sincere.

  “Thank you.”

  “Come on in,” he said. “I’m starving. I haven’t had dinner yet.”

  “Why not?” Amandine asked.

  “Waiting for you so we could eat together.”

  “Where’s Jeremy?”

  “Sleeping. Let’s eat before he wakes up again.”

  They went to the huge eat-in kitchen and sat at the counter. The housekeeper Luna laid out plates of chicken and beef fajitas and fixings for everyone. She was medium height and wore a sensible shirt and slacks paired with comfortable sneakers. A mother of two boys, she was a master of efficiency and never wasted time or tolerated nonsense. She ran Gavin’s house like a machine even though she didn’t live there. “I’m glad you’re home,” she said to Catherine.

  Catherine pulled back in surprise. She’d been certain Luna didn’t like her. “Thank you, Luna.”

  “You lost weight since your last visit.” Luna clucked her tongue. “Stress is bad for you. Don’t let some man affect you like this.”

  The dinner was perfect. Catherine put together a few fajitas and enjoyed them. They tasted amazing. Why had she denied herself the pleasure of good food? So what if she couldn’t fit into size-two dresses? Plenty of women didn’t and they were fine.

  Catherine realized she was tired of dieting. If some men couldn’t tolerate it that she gained a few pounds, screw them. They weren’t worth it. None of them eat nothing but grilled chicken salad for me, she thought. It was about time she returned the favor.

  Gavin filled her in on the things with his family and The Lloyds Development, the family company that she had been a member of the board on. Everyone who depended on money from the company was going to be taken care of with a special fund Gavin had set up with Ethan, so nobody would be affected by the giant mess Jacob had left behind at the company. Simon Caldwell had been caught and tossed in jail, without bail. He should’ve never stolen from the Lloyds. They knew everyone who mattered and didn’t take it kindly when somebody put his hand in their pocket.

  Then it was Catherine’s turn to talk about what she’d been up to. So she told them, including her visit with her mother and Salazar’s proposal.

  “I know I shouldn’t be saying this because she’s your mother, but she’s a piece of work,” Gavin said, his voice harsh with disapproval. “I don’t know how any mother can talk to her kid that way.”

  “She’s always been like that.” Catherine tilted her head. “But you don’t seem surprised about Salazar’s secret son.” Amandine had gasped when she’d heard. “So…you knew?”

  He nodded. Amandine gaped at him, then at Catherine.

  “Did you know Salazar is trying to give his son fifty million dollars too?” Catherine asked.

  “I’m the one in charge of the fund. I already added a few hundred thousand bucks.”

  Not surprising. If Blaine could get Gavin to continue managing the money, he could live well on the return without touching the principal.

  A woman Catherine had never seen before came into the kitchen. Her golden hair braided in a thick single rope, she was built like an Amazon warrior. She wore a sleeveless blue tunic that emphasized both her eyes and her biceps, and a pair of khaki shorts that sported a few stains. “Sorry to interrupt, but Jeremy’s awake now.”

  “That’s my cue,” Amandine said.

&n
bsp; “Take your time,” Catherine said. When the two women left, she looked at Gavin. “Your nanny?”

  “Yes. Elena’s a huge help.” He took a big gulp of wine. “Catherine, I want—”

  “I’m sorry—”

  They both stopped, looked at each other awkwardly. Catherine cleared her throat, but he put a hand out. “Let me talk first. It’s important.”

  She nodded.

  “I want to thank you. If you hadn’t knocked some sense into me when you visited, I might have lost Amandine forever. You were right about me. I wanted a sign…some kind of symbol that I was doing better than the others, especially Jacob. It’s an ugly truth, but I’m glad you told me. It was so clear what I needed to do once I stopped thinking about what I wanted and started planning around what Amandine deserved.”

  Heat crept into her cheeks. “I shouldn’t have been so nasty, especially after you came to Houston to calm me down. I know I was a wreck. I don’t even remember half the stuff I said or did.”

  “Anybody would’ve been, in your situation. I’m sorry I wasn’t more patient or sympathetic,” he said with a wince.

  “Well, I guess this is the part we all get warm and fuzzy?”

  He laughed. “Yeah, but there’s more.”

  She arched an eyebrow.

  “Things haven’t gone well for you, and it’s not right. I want to take care of you financially out of the fund we set up for the family’s needs. You’re entitled to that.”

  “Gavin, I appreciate the gesture. But I was never legally married to Jacob, and I don’t think the family’s going to be okay with you spending money on me like that.”

  “As far as we’re concerned, you were married and you are family. And we don’t turn our backs on our own.”

  Her upper teeth cut into her bottom lip. It was a generous offer, and it would solve so many of her problems. On the other hand, did she want to be a charity case, a poor cousin who was a burden to everyone?

  “You’re leaning toward no,” Gavin said.

  She forced a small smile. Was she that transparent?

  “Don’t,” he said. “Take some time and think about it.”

  “All right. I’ll let you know. And thank you.”

  “Great. Let’s go to the nursery. Given how long it’s taking, Amandine must be nursing.”

  He led her to the stairs. There was an elevator beside them that hadn’t been there the last time she’d visited.

  “I installed that before Amandine reached the third trimester. I didn’t want her climbing up and down all the time,” Gavin said.

  Catherine just shook her head. “And how did she feel about the addition?”

  “Annoyed. She thought I was overdoing it.”

  “You were.” Catherine smiled. “But I’m glad you’re spoiling her.”

  The baby’s room was across from the master bedroom. The fresh scent of baby powder filled Catherine’s nose. A sparkly, colorful mobile fluttered over the wooden crib. Unlike the other rooms in the mansion, the floor was carpeted. Expertly stenciled dinosaurs and other big animals occupied the bottom half of the cream and pale blue walls.

  Amandine sat in a comfortable, well-cushioned rocking chair with a small bundle cradled in her arms. The baby suckled, his mouth latched onto his mother’s breast greedily. His eyes were closed in bliss, and he held Amandine’s finger in one tiny pink fist.

  Catherine’s throat tightened at the sight. “He’s gorgeous,” she whispered.

  “Thanks,” Amandine said. Jeremy let go, and she covered herself. “I think he’s finished for now. Do you want to hold him?”

  “May I?”

  “Of course.” Amandine held out the baby.

  Catherine moved him carefully into her arms. He smelled so sweet, like innocence and hope. Dark hair dusted his head. “Aren’t you the most precious baby?” She helped him burp.

  Amandine and Gavin stared at her. “Where did you learn to do that?” he asked.

  “Just something I picked up.” She didn’t want to talk about how she’d taken classes on how to take care of newborns to prepare for her own child, the one she’d ended up never having. Jeremy smiled at her, his clear blue eyes on her face. She kissed him on his velvety cheek. “He’s the most wonderful baby. I’m so happy for you.”

  “Thanks, Catherine,” Gavin said. “Why don’t I show you your room, and then later if you want you can spend more time with Jeremy or just relax. Whatever you like.”

  “Great. Thanks.” She handed the baby back to Amandine. As Jeremy left her hands an emptiness and longing for a baby of her own surged inside her, so fierce it made her breath catch. One day, she told herself. She and Jacob had never been able to conceive, but modern medical science could work miracles. Maybe one day when she grew a backbone and some self-respect, she’d get a man who would be good for her, and together they could finally have a baby she would love with all her heart and who would love her back unconditionally.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Eight thirty sharp the next morning, Blaine knocked on the door of the Blue House. Catherine’s Aston Martin was long gone. In its place was a flashy red convertible, a rental from what he could see. He wondered what Salazar’s relationship to the corporation that owned the house was, that he could take it so soon after Catherine had left.

  “Come in!” came a yell.

  Blaine went inside the now-familiar place. Salazar was in a long-sleeve, pale gray shirt and expensive-looking black slacks. He pulled out some coffee and bagels from a paper bag bearing the local bakery’s name. “Want some?”

  “No.”

  Salazar held one out anyway, giving Blaine a conspiratorial, cocked-eyebrow look. “Extra cream cheese on these babies.”

  “No.”

  “Well, suit yourself. I forgot there’s no Starbucks around here.”

  “It’s a small town.”

  “That it is. Sit down.” Salazar gestured at a couch and took an armchair near the unlit fireplace. “I haven’t been here in ages. Thought it would have changed some by now, but it’s still the same ol’ Cooter’s Bluff. Still the same nosy neighbors and even nosier waitresses who like to talk too much. Same woman taking everyone’s stuff.”

  Standing in the center of the room, Blaine spread his feet and crossed his arms. “What do you want?”

  “My lawyer didn’t tell you? I’m going to have to fire her for not doing her job.”

  “She told me. What I don’t get is why you care. For a guy as popular as you are with the ladies, I’m pretty sure I’m not the only accidental kid out there.”

  “Actually, you are. And I don’t regret it.” Salazar munched on his bagel. “But I do regret that I didn’t know sooner. Georgia Love was one of the sweetest women ever.”

  And Blaine was supposed to swallow this bullshit? “Yeah, sure. Sweet.”

  “Seriously. She really was something special. If I hadn’t been married, I might have proposed to her.” Salazar paused, pursing his mouth for a moment. “Then again, I might not. It’s difficult to say.”

  “What’s so difficult about it? You liked Ceinlys enough to marry her, but Ma wasn’t good enough for you.” Blaine remembered the first time he’d seen Salazar’s gorgeous wife. He’d only been five at the time, and he’d thought she was an angel with her shiny black hair and heart-shaped face…until she’d spotted his mother and spoken with enough venom in her voice to kill a water moccasin.

  “I married Ceinlys because I knew she’d be able to handle my inability to stay faithful. She wanted to marry the Pryce name and what it represented, not me. I don’t think your mother would’ve been okay with that. She would’ve wanted me all to herself, and I’m not sure if I would’ve been able to resist the urge to stray…even for her.”

  “Bullshit. That’s just some cheap copout to justify what you did.”

  “Is it? Ask yourself this: would your mother have been happy with an unfaithful husband?” The two men stared at each other; Blaine didn’t say anything. “I would
’ve been able to give her everything except fidelity,” Salazar said.

  “Seriously?” Blaine asked, unable to believe the man’s gall.

  “Hey, everyone has their flaws, and the world would be a better place if we were honest about them. I loved her, but I couldn’t have reformed myself.”

  “If it had been true love, you could’ve.”

  “Son, the fact is, love doesn’t conquer all. I bought this house for your mother, you know. But she refused to accept it, and so I let it sit just in case. I thought she’d change her mind, the way she probably thought I would change mine. Now… Well, now it’s too late to think about what-ifs.”

  Blaine stared at the man he’d thought so poorly of all his life. In his mind, Salazar had been a cool, slick user who didn’t care about anybody except himself. But the reality seemed different. Salazar didn’t appear to be lying. He was serious about his shortcomings. And it was true: his mother would never have been able to tolerate an unfaithful husband.

  Salazar finished his bagels and coffee. “I’ve got things to attend to, so I’m leaving now. Get your passport ready. In three days somebody’s going to pick you up, and you’re going to Thailand with my son Mark. That’d be your younger brother, by the way, though not as young as Sean.”

  Blaine laughed. “You really think that’s how it works? Just waltz into town and start telling me what to do?”

  “I’m not telling you what to do. I’m letting you know what your options are. If you aren’t on the plane to Thailand, the money goes to Ceinlys. If you are, then we can sign papers to transfer ownership of the fund to you there.”

  “Why Thailand?”

  “There’s an important wedding, and everyone’s invited. I want you there so I can properly introduce you to the people who matter. I’m serious about you joining the family.”

  “I can’t get a passport in three days.”

  Salazar produced a business card. “Call this number. That’s my assistant, Kimberly Sanford. She’ll take care of everything.” When Blaine didn’t take it, Salazar put it on the coffee table.