“Of course I will.”
“Marvelous.” Stella reached across the table and held Amandine’s hand. “Now, I have a piece of advice. Once the divorce is final, find somebody who’ll love you and make you happy. Life is short.”
“What about Gavin?”
“Gavin’s hurting now, but he’ll get over it once he realizes he wasn’t the right man for you.”
A big lump formed in Amandine’s throat. Blinking her tears away, she nodded and cleared her throat. “Would you like to see the sonogram photos and stay for lunch?”
Stella’s face brightened. “That would be wonderful. Thank you, Amandine.”
Chapter Twenty-Four
A COUPLE OF WEEKS LATER, Amandine found herself back at La Mer. She hadn’t made a reservation; Mark Pryce had called and insisted she come around and eat before she got too big to move.
She agreed, especially now that Dr. Silverman had given her the okay to go out so long as she was careful. She’d lost her appetite, and maybe something delicious from La Mer would do the trick.
Gavin hadn’t come back after their talk. He hadn’t called or come to her appointments with Dr. Silverman either. It was like he didn’t want anything to do with her or the baby.
Like her cousin said, it’d be foolish to hang onto a man who didn’t want her. Even Stella had agreed with that. But still, it hurt. Deep in her heart, Amandine didn’t care what Gavin wanted.
She missed him.
“You look good,” Mark said as he led her to a table by the aquarium.
She had taken care, trying to cover up her misery and the general feeling of being unwell. A pretty pink dress with spaghetti straps hung from her shoulders, and instead of the usual stilettos, she wore sensible ballet slippers. Her curled and teased hair fell behind her like a silken cape, and she’d even put on extra makeup. She didn’t want to appear a pathetic unwanted wife in public. It’d be her private shame.
Mark pulled out a comfortable chair for her, then sat down himself. He didn’t look like he owned the restaurant. His simple white shirt had the two top buttons undone, and the sleeves were rolled all the way to his elbows, exposing tanned forearms. He wore black slacks just like the staff—though his were made of expensive silk.
“Heard from a few people that you bartend here. Do you enjoy it?” she asked.
“Yeah. It’s not bad.”
“Don’t you have enough staff?”
“We do, but La Mer’s still new. I like to keep an eye on things.”
“You won’t have to much longer. It’s doing so well,” she said, taking a sweeping look. It was packed with people dressed in designer clothes, and every time someone walked by she got a whiff of some expensive perfume or cologne. The tablecloths were thick white cotton, the pristine flatware well-balanced and heavy. Everything was served on high quality china and exquisite crystal.
“How about you?” Mark asked. “All good?”
“As good as it can be.” She ordered a few items including the day’s special—grilled scallops wrapped with smoked bacon. Hopefully a change of menu would revive her love of food.
Mark ordered the same.
“Are you eating with me?” she asked.
“Yup. I’m starving. Besides, it sucks to eat alone.”
She gave him a small smile. When Mark had called she’d been half-hoping that the lunch was a set-up to put her together with Gavin again. It’d be like a movie or something. They’d eat, and talk—awkwardly at first—then realize they loved each other and reconcile. Gavin would sweep her up in his arms and carry her out of the restaurant while the other patrons clapped and cheered.
What a sentimental fool she was. Real life wasn’t a Hollywood fantasy. “Have you…” She cleared her throat. “Have you heard anything from Gavin in the last few days?”
Mark’s eyes softened. “He just bought a penthouse. He’s going to move in this week.”
“I see.”
“And he’s closing his funds.”