by Lee, Nadia
His mood lightened. “We’ll prove them wrong.”
She nodded. “For four months at least.”
And just like that his good mood vanished. “It’d be nice if you could at least act like you want our marriage to work.”
“I want it to work, but it’s not up to me.”
His lips thinned. She’d asked for a divorce to show her displeasure over his missing the anniversary dinner and losing his wedding band. Women never said or did anything directly, and it was always up to men to decipher the hidden meaning behind everything. He should’ve expected her to deflect the matter this way.
You sure? This isn’t like Amandine. She’s generally accommodating and not interested in getting in the way of your work. The old Amandine, the one before the anniversary, would’ve agreed about proving them wrong…
He shoved the irritating thought out of his mind. People changed. Yes, it was unfortunate Amandine had too, but—
“Who are they?” Amandine said, pointing.
A couple with two large dogs, one white and one black, was walking toward them. The woman was holding a gigantic parasol.
“I thought the beach was private,” Amandine added.
“It is, but Damien and his wife are probably staying at the Freeman place.”
“Damien?”
“The cellist we listened to earlier,” Gavin said, waving.
They waved back and came over. Tongues hanging out, their dogs trotted beside them.
“My gosh, it’s really you.” The two men shook hands as Damien thumped Gavin’s back. The cellist seemed younger and completely rejuvenated. “I wasn’t sure.”
“Well, it’s been a few years.”
“Since our wedding,” Damien agreed. “And you’re always so busy. So what brings you out this way? Decided to retire?”
“We just had our anniversary, so we figured why not?” Gavin said, with a sideways glance at his wife.
“You must be Amandine!” Victoria said with a big smile. “I’ve been dying to meet you.”
Gavin put an arm around his wife’s waist. “Amandine, Damien and Victoria Kirk.”
* * *
Amandine shook hands with the Kirks. Dressed in a loose pale blue T-shirt and black bathing trunks, Damien was tall, with tousled blond hair and a face gorgeous enough to grace a magazine cover. His eyes were bright, the small lines around them relaxed, and he had an interesting European accent. Victoria was pretty with a friendly demeanor. She had a cute brown ponytail that bounced with each step and a pink ribbon in her hair. Still there was a sophisticated air about her, and her white bikini top and shorts showed off a beautiful, toned body. Despite the parasol, she was attractively tanned.
“I’m so glad we ran into each other,” Victoria said to Amandine.
Amandine smiled. “It’s a coincidence, really. We were just listening to one of Damien’s recordings before we came out.”
Victoria was about to reply when the white dog whined and tugged at its very short leash. Amandine frowned. “Is that a…Doberman?”
“Yes. He’s an albino.” Victoria scratched his head. “Say hello to Amadeus.” She gave some TLC to the dark dog too. “This is Ludwig.”
“I’ve never seen a white Doberman before. Actually, I didn’t even know they existed.”
“There aren’t many,” Damien said.
Amandine squatted and shook hands with both dogs, which were surprisingly polite and well-behaved. Their glossy coats and clear eyes hinted at the excellent care they received.
“Anyway, it’s good we ran into each other,” Damien said. “Victoria was quite upset about missing the wedding. We were planning to visit after the ceremony, but with one thing and another, we just never had a chance to go to L.A.”
“It’s partly my fault. Deadlines,” Victoria said.
“What do you do?” Amandine asked.
“I’m a writer.” Victoria smiled. “I hear you’re an artist.”
Amandine’s face heated. “I’m not… I don’t really…” It seemed kind of fraudulent to claim to be an artist when she hadn’t finished anything in months.
“Don’t be so modest. I’m looking forward to seeing your work. Do you have any lunch plans?”
Amandine and Gavin glanced at each other. Gavin said, “No.”
“Great. Why don’t we do lunch together today? Our cook got the most gorgeous haul of seafood from local fishermen, and he’s going to serve it all today at lunch since we’re leaving tonight.”
“So soon?” Gavin asked.
“We’ve been here for a week,” Damien said. “And Victoria has a meeting with her publisher in New York.”
“Come over to our place around eleven,” Victoria said. “Let’s catch up” —she turned to Amandine with a smile— “and get to know each other.”
Chapter Thirteen
THE HOUSE THE KIRKS WERE STAYING AT was much more modern in aesthetics than the Lloyds’ property. The construction material consisted of glass, marble, chrome and sea-green tiles. Whoever designed it didn’t do it for families with children, and why would a rocker like Steve Freeman think of children? A quick google search she’d done to make sure she didn’t embarrass herself before her husband’s friends revealed he hadn’t even claimed his son Damien until the latter was well into his thirties.
Amandine wore a light pink silk dress and white sandals after a long debate with herself. Gavin seemed very close to Damien, and she wanted to make a good impression. Gavin put on a simple pale blue polo shirt and khaki shorts, revealing strong arms and legs dusted with wiry hair. Must be nice to be able to wear anything, she thought with a half-envious, half-dreamy sigh. It didn’t matter that he wasn’t in his fancy European suit. He looked scrumptious no matter what he wore—or didn’t.
The couple came out to greet Amandine and Gavin. Victoria had light makeup on, just some mascara and lip-gloss. Her cute sleeveless white dress set off her golden tan. The scent of shampoo and soap lingered on her skin from a recent shower.
Damien was in a white shirt, about a third of the way unbuttoned. Casual khakis and bare feet made him look at home and comfortable. He took a bottle of wine from Gavin, while his wife hugged Gavin and Amandine.
“Come on in,” Victoria said. “I hope you don’t mind the mess. We’re doing the last minute packing.”
Three black cello cases sat like mini-hills in a large living room with an ocean view. A cello rested on its side, a bow balanced on top, next to a white concert grand piano. The room smelled faintly of wood and metal. Several electric guitars gleamed in glass cases mounted high on the walls. The sound system was playing some classical piece that Amandine didn’t recognize. The place was obviously decorated for musicians, and she felt like she was in an unfamiliar world.
“We set things up on the second floor. It’s got a better view,” Damien said. “Is this your first time in Thailand?”
Amandine nodded.
“You’re in for a treat. The food here is incredible.” Victoria made a face. “I gain weight every time we come.”
Her husband wrapped his arm around her waist. “Darling, it just means more of you to love.”
She laughed and slapped his hand playfully.
Envy shot through Amandine, so sharp and unexpected that she almost gasped. It was obvious Damien adored his wife. His love for her was in his eyes, his voice, and his smile. Was it because they were so much alike? They both seemed very successful, and well-educated. What did Amandine have in common with Gavin? He had the world at his feet, her extraordinary husband. She on the other hand was painfully ordinary.
The Kirks led Amandine and Gavin to the dining area upstairs. It jutted over the back of the house, with three glass walls facing the ocean. A few gray clouds were scudding on the horizon.
Damien gestured around the circular table. “Please, have a seat.”
Amandine took one of the comfortable high-backed teak chairs, and Victoria sat next to her with Damien on the other side of her.
Victoria took a sip and closed her eyes. “Mmm.” She glanced at Amandine. “You sure you don’t want any?”
“I’m, uh…” Ah, what the heck. People were going to find out about her baby soon enough. Amandine shrugged with a shy smile. “I’m expecting.”
The Kirks immediately erupted into joyous congratulations. Gavin grinned and said, “You can’t tell anybody. We haven’t even told my mom yet.”
Damien nodded. “Then our lips are sealed.” He held Victoria’s hand on the table.
“How far along are you?” Victoria asked.
“Only a couple of months.”
“How exciting! Let us know if it’s a boy or a girl, so we can send you some things.”
“You don’t have to,” Amandine said.
“I insist. We can be the baby’s honorary aunt and uncle.”
Touched, Amandine nodded. This was the kind of life her baby would be born to, surrounded by incredibly accomplished and successful people who were eager for its arrival. She supposed Damien and Victoria wouldn’t be the only honorary uncle and aunt. There were people like Mark Pryce, too.
She put her hand to her belly. If the marriage turned out to be unsalvageable, would she be being selfish by demanding to take the baby with her? Would the world still be the baby’s oyster if she took sole custody?
She could never give the child this…but she could give it love.
Will that be enough? Doesn’t your baby deserve more?
Lunch was served: two hollowed pineapples stuffed with fried rice and various dipping sauces sat to one side, while a huge platter of lobsters in yellow and orange sauce commanded the center of the tabletop. Two smaller, shallower bowls of sautéed seasonal vegetables occupied each side of the lobsters. A plate of grilled giant shrimp had a place of prominence in front of the lobsters.
“Oh my,” Amandine murmured. “I think we have enough to feed the entire region.”
“I know, right?” Victoria grinned. “I couldn’t believe it when the cook told us, but the fishermen were adamant about selling them all in a set.”
Everyone started eating—obviously the men were more interested in shoving the food into their stomachs than talking about it—and the conversation and drink started flowing more freely.
Amandine slowly got caught up on the dynamics of the group. Damien and Gavin were apparently very tight, and they respected each other’s taste and opinions. Gavin treated Victoria as a good friend, maybe because she was Damien’s wife. They hadn’t met until she’d gotten engaged to Damien. The three talked about all sorts of topics, ranging from music to literature and current affairs.
And as they spoke, Gavin frequently touched Amandine, making sure everything was to her liking and that she didn’t feel nauseous or sick. He kept serving her, so she wouldn’t have to reach for anything. He seemed to know what she wanted before she could ask. She was grateful for his solicitousness and care. She could almost believe he loved her the way his friend loved his wife.
“You’re very quiet,” Victoria said to Amandine.
Amandine smiled. “Just enjoying my food. Your cook’s amazing.”
Damien declared he had something to show Gavin before the dessert was served. The men excused themselves and went downstairs.
“I can’t believe he waited this long,” Victoria said conspiratorially. “Damien’s been wanting to get Gavin’s opinion on some kind of trust or something.”
“I didn’t know Damien was Gavin’s client.”
“Both Damien and his father. Gavin manages a chunk of Damien’s money, and every bit of Steve’s. Let’s just say that my father-in-law is not at all interested in finance.” Victoria gestured at Amandine’s half-empty glass. “More smoothie?”
Amandine held up a hand. “If I have any more calories you’ll have to wheel me out.”
Victoria laughed and helped herself to some more wine. “I’m glad to see you with Gavin. I was worried.”
“About what?”
“Oh, just… I’m sure you’ve seen them already, but there are some pictures of you, Gavin and Craig Richmond in front of Jones & Jones on Facebook.” She cleared her throat. “So I thought there might be some kind of trouble.”
Amandine bit her lower lip and sighed. Great. How many people have seen the photos?
Victoria smiled quickly. “But I’m glad everything’s fine between the two of you.”
“Facebook and Twitter and whatnot are nice to help people keep in touch. But I hate the gossip and the lack of privacy.”
“I agree, but if there were no Facebook, somebody would’ve found another way to spread the news. You know how it is.”
“Gavin said the same thing earlier.” Amandine scowled into her smoothie glass. “Guess it’s wrong to blame technology.”
“It’s human nature to gossip. In fact, it’s basically how I met Damien. I showed up at his secret hideout to interview him for a book I was working on. An authorized bio. He was furious.”
Amandine blinked. She couldn’t picture Damien angry with his wife. “What happened next?”
“I stuck it out, we fell in love and I finished the book. It was published around the time we got engaged. My publisher was thrilled that the book was coming out in the midst of our rather high-profile romance. Any publicity is good publicity…especially if they don’t have to pay for it.”
“I should look it up on Amazon.”
“I’ll send you an autographed copy if you want.”
“That’d be great.” Victoria had to be extremely talented. Amandine had tried to write once, and it wasn’t easy to write something that was both informative and enjoyable.
It seemed like Gavin surrounded himself with beautiful and talented people. Damien was a world-renowned cellist. Victoria was a successful writer. The firm employed a number of people who were apparently geniuses at investing.
Amandine felt somewhat small and insignificant in such company. She wasn’t particularly talented, she didn’t know how to manage a household, and the charity fundraisers she hosted couldn’t have happened without Brooke’s help and her husband’s social connections. Actually Brooke could run the entire foundation and all the fundraisers on her own with Gavin’s help here and there.
She was basically…superfluous.
“I understand why you’re unhappy about the lack of privacy,” Victoria said, apparently misunderstanding the cause of Amandine’s mood. “I lost practically all of mine when I married Damien. His fame forced me into the spotlight, and it was just…overwhelming. I’m the kind of girl who’d rather stay in my room all day and work on a manuscript.”
Amandine nodded, empathizing.
“But it’s the price I pay for being with the man I love. He makes me happy.”
“I’m glad. He seems to love you very much,” Amandine remarked.
“Yes. I’m lucky. And so are you.” Victoria smiled. “I don’t believe the gossip.”
“Um…there are the photos.”
“And? If any of what they’re implying is true, you wouldn’t be here with Gavin. It’s probably presumptuous of me to say so, but Gavin could have any woman he wanted and he’s one of those ‘cut losses fast’ types. He doesn’t cling to things, hoping that they’ll get better, whether it’s stock or relationships.”
Amandine nodded, surprised at how accurate the observation was.
“He’s crazy about you.”
“Thank you,” Amandine said in a practiced friendly tone. Gavin was crazy about another deal, making his next billion bucks, the idea of being a father…
Well, a lot of things other than his wife.
Victoria turned, hooking an arm over the back of her chair. “Look, can I be frank?”
“I guess.” Given the determined gleam in Victoria’s dark eyes, saying no wasn’t going to do any good.
“When I first me
t Damien, I was pretty provincial.”
Amandine blinked a few times. “You?”
“I grew up in a small town in the Midwest, and my father was a minister. I’d never been outside the country until I went to interview Damien. Heck, I’d never been on an airplane. Imagine how overwhelming it was to realize that by spending my life with him, I’d have to move in his circles. The people who come to his concerts don’t think anything of dropping two or three thousand bucks on a dress they’ll only wear once. Me…I felt like I owned the world when there was more than a thousand dollars in my bank account.”
Amandine nodded, understanding completely. Since her marriage, Amandine had been forced to become one of those people who dropped a couple grand on a dress they’d wear only once. Actually, she was worse; she’d spent that much on dresses she would probably never wear.
“He couldn’t give up his career for me,” Victoria said. “Ditto for his friends and acquaintances. It wouldn’t be fair.”
“So you changed.”
“I learned. There’s a difference.”
“You must be a fast learner.”
Victorian chuckled. “Just average. We had a long engagement, so there was some time to acclimate myself. For things I knew nothing about, I faked my way around.” The good humor vanished from her face, replaced by earnestness. “I’m a writer, and trust me, in Damien’s circles, that’s nothing. I had to start from scratch. But at least you’re an artist. Rich people love art.”
“I’m not that good of an artist.”
“It doesn’t matter.” Victoria leaned closer. “I’ll tell you a secret. People who like Gavin will give you a chance, and most likely be predisposed to like you, because Gavin loves you. It’s that simple.”
“Okay, my turn. You mind a frank question?”
“Not at all.”
“Why are you giving me all this advice?”
Victoria reached over and squeezed her hand. “Something about you reminds me of the old me, and in the beginning Damien had to reassure me that everything would be fine and that I was fabulous just as I was. I know you’ve been married for three years now, but if you and Gavin are having problems, talk. Let him know what you’re thinking, what you’re afraid of. He’s your husband, and it’s his job to make you happy.”