“Wonderful to meet you,” Danielle said warmly, taking her hand and giving it a light squeeze. “I must say, I’m delighted to see Andrés has finally found the woman who stole his heart.”
Stole his heart? Chloe forced a responding smile, though inside she flinched. That would probably be the only way she would ever have Andrés’s love, since he didn’t believe in it. And as of a few days ago, the only emotion he seemed to have for her was disdain.
“If you will excuse us, Danielle, I would like to introduce my wife to a few other guests.” Andrés leaned down to kiss the woman’s cheek again. “Should your scoundrel of a husband comes around, do send him my way.”
“I’m sure he’ll find you soon enough,” Danielle said with a dry smile. “Enjoy yourself, Chloe. Perhaps we could have a drink later.”
Having found herself a likely friend, Chloe latched onto the woman’s offer eagerly. “I would love that.”
As Andrés led her away from the other woman, Chloe bit back a sigh. She didn’t want this to be a charade. A pretense. Andrés was her husband now and she truly did want to make this marriage work.
“Andrés,” she began warily. “I don’t want to fight anymore. I’ve agreed to this marriage and I only want to look toward the future.” She bit her lip, deciding to take the risk and confess, “Besides, I think you know how I feel about you.”
Andrés’ lips tightened. “Sí, I know exactly how you feel, and it is something we both will have to simply tolerate.”
She flinched, trying to find a way to breathe past the breath locked in her chest. Her heart twisted painfully. So Andrés had guessed she loved him, then? And obviously the idea was not a welcome one.
But then, why should she have expected anything less? It must be a huge emotional weight to be loved by someone when you couldn’t love the person back.
Chapter 10
Andrés force his expression to remain neutral, and as a waiter approached them he accepted a glass of champagne and requested sparkling water for Chloe. His mood had turned significantly dark since Chloe had reminded him of her feelings toward him.
He knew without a doubt that she wanted him physically and that her body welcomed, even craved his touch. But emotionally, Chloe loathed him for forcing her into marriage. At their wedding she’d appeared almost sickened by what was happening.
Giving a strained smile, Chloe accepted the sparkling water from the waiter who approached. Andrés’ gaze narrowed as he noticed the slight unsteadiness of her hand. Perhaps he shouldn’t have brought her out to a society event so soon.
“Come,” he murmured gently, placing his hand against the small of her back. “There are still many people to meet.”
After they’d made their rounds through the massive room, Andrés was amazed at Chloe for her poise and charm. With each introduction, she’d captivated his friends and business associates alike.
“How are you feeling?” he asked, moving them away from another lavishly dressed couple.
“I’m fine,” she said with a delicate shrug. “I wouldn’t mind a bite to eat, though.”
He grimaced. “You’ve read my mind. I’m famished, which is my fault for not having taken us to dinner first. Give me a moment and I’ll round us up some hors d’oeuvres.”
“That would be wonderful.”
When he left, Chloe resisted the urge to fold her arms across her chest self-consciously.
This entire night seemed a bit like a pony parade. Her mouth hurt from smiling and her feet were beginning to protest the black strappy stilettos.
“Hello again.”
Chloe glanced up in surprise as Danielle came to stand beside her.
“Hello.” Chloe’s shy smile came naturally this time. “Are you enjoying yourself?”
“Well, as much as one can at these events.” Danielle took another sip of her champagne and grimaced. “Of course, the occasional night away from the children is always welcome. We have three, you know.”
“Three? How wonderful. And yes, I’m sure you’re well deserving of a night off.” Chloe laughed, her hand slipping to her own belly.
Would she be craving those same nights of freedom in a few years? What would her relationship with Andrés be like then? Would they survive that long…? Her throat tightened at the last thought.
“I meant what I said earlier, you know,” Danielle said and cast Chloe a sideways glance. “I have never seen Andrés look at a woman the way he looks at you.”
Chloe’s throat tightened and she bit her lip. Whatever Danielle thought she saw when Andrés looked at her wasn’t the truth.
“I see that you do not believe me,” Danielle murmured.
“Our relationship is complicated,” Chloe finally confessed.
The other woman gave an amused laugh and shook her head. “Oui, they all are. I’m certain that whatever problems you and Andrés have will work themselves out as time passes.”
Chloe gave a wan smile and took another sip of her sparkling water. It was a lovely thought, but she certainly wouldn’t hold her breath waiting.
Andrés approached them again, holding a plate full of small hors d’oeuvres. “Still hungry, cariño?” he murmured, leaning down to brush a kiss across her cheek, then handed her the plate.
The return of his use of cariño did not go unnoticed by Chloe; she flushed, even knowing he did it only because Danielle was beside them.
“Yes. Thank you, darling.” Her endearment for him was entirely too easy to add. Her cheeks burned hotter when his lips curled in amusement.
Andrés gave her a quick wink. Turning to Danielle, he said, “Now if you ladies will excuse me, I’ve found your husband, and I have a bit of a score to settle with him.”
“Still smarting over that last poker game, are we?” Danielle teased, and then waved him away. “Go. We are perfectly capable of entertaining ourselves.”
Andrés gave an amused laugh and then turned to walk away. “Of that I have no doubt.”
Chloe watched as Andrés joined a distinguished-looking man with dark features and became quickly engrossed in conversation.
“How do you know Andrés?” she asked Danielle, lifting a small fruit tart to her mouth.
“My husband, Phillip, and Andrés were flatmates in college, back before I even had met Phillip. Neither of them had more than a few pennies to their name back then, but that quickly changed once they finished school. They’re thick as thieves, those two.”
Chloe took in the information with a nod, grateful to have a bit of insight about Andrés’ life beyond his difficult childhood.
“How is Andrés with children?” she asked hesitantly.
“Andrés is brilliant with children. Ours adore him,” Danielle said enthusiastically.
“Really?”
“You sound surprised.”
“No, I just…” Perhaps Danielle and her husband weren’t aware of Andrés’s childhood? But the idea that he hadn’t told his best friend and yet had chosen to confide in her seemed a bit implausible.
“You are thinking of having children of your own soon, perhaps?” Danielle asked with an arched brow. Then her attention slipped to the sparkling water Chloe sipped. Her smile widened. “Sooner than later?”
Chloe’s cheeks burned hotter and she lowered her gaze.
“Ah, how wonderful for you both.” Danielle leaned in and gave her arm a light squeeze. “Your secret is safe with me.”
“Thank you,” she replied softly.
Not that it mattered much. Though right now she could disguise her growing belly with the right clothes, it was only a matter of time until that wasn’t an option.
“Oh, I absolutely detest that woman,” Danielle said suddenly, her tone darkening.
Chloe lifted her head. “Who?”
But her attention already locked on Estella Martinez, and her stomach sank to the ground. No. Why was that hateful woman here?
“The one speaking with Andrés. She manages his Valencia resort,” Danielle continued with a scowl. “I do not trust her.”
Chloe was not quite prepared to share how she and Andrés had met, and that she’d worked for Señora Martinez over the summer. But it was a relief to find someone else who didn’t trust her either.
Danielle made a noise of annoyance. “She reminds me of a poisonous snake, just ready to sink her venomous teeth into someone.”
Chloe began to laugh but then stilled as Andrés leaned down to kiss the woman’s cheek.
Her heart squeezed painfully and she struggled to breathe. Had he no concern whatsoever for his wife’s emotions? He knew she already questioned his past with the woman.