“Better than good.” She sighed as her body melted into sleep.
Gavin hugged her. A small anxiety gnawed at him as he recalled their conversation in the kitchen. He thought his answer had been honest and true, but apparently, it wasn’t exactly what she’d been looking for.
Or had it been some kind of test? If she’d been truly dissatisfied, would she have kissed him and seduced him?
Some women fucked casually, without commitment, but Amandine wasn’t one of them. She wouldn’t have opened up to him like that if she hadn’t felt something for him, for their marriage.
He kissed the crown of her head. If he stayed and gave her endless orgasms for their remaining time, would she change her answer?
He didn’t want to leave, and the damned situation with TLD annoyed him no end, but he had to go see his mother tomorrow. He’d already set up the funds. His family members would have everything they needed…except for a few people who seemed uninterested in accepting help—like his bull-headed sister Meredith. His mother was the only one who could get the family to do what he and Ethan wanted, so a short visit to Maryland was in order.
Once his mother took over the matter, Gavin could cut back and focus more of his attention on Amandine. He still had more than four weeks left. A lot could happen during that time.
Chapter Twenty-One
STELLA LLOYD’S SINGLE-FAMILY HOME in southern Maryland was modest by every Lloyd brother’s standards. She used to live in Houston, but had decided to move back to her hometown after her husband’s death.
Her garden was vivid green and healthy. Everyone in the family always made mental notes to look for things to compliment—it was h
er pride and joy. They also used it to gauge her overall mood. As he walked up to the house, Gavin noticed a small yellow rosebush on one side and frowned. His mother had once had several in the garden, but had ripped them out when Jacob and Catherine announced their engagement.
Stella waved through the living room window and gestured for him to come in. He walked into the house. Its hardwood floor gleamed with a fresh coat of wax. One of the ceiling fans was spinning, creating a soft breeze, and three well-worn couches and love seats surrounded an oak coffee table.
She came out of the kitchen with two tall glasses of iced tea. A little more gray glinted in her long dark hair, which was twisted into a simple updo. She wore a pair of pretty gold earrings and a turquoise necklace that matched her simple shin-length dress.
They sat down, and she handed him a glass. “Extra sweet, just for you.”
“Thanks, Mom.” Coffee was best taken black, but he preferred his tea almost syrupy with sugar.
“So how are things? Is it true you’re divorcing Amandine?”
He choked and coughed to clear the tea from the wrong tract. “What?”
“It’s on Facebook.”
How in the world…? “Facebook? You barely know how to operate your TV.”
“Eric showed me on his…flat thing.”
Traitor. Gavin made a mental note never to buy a tablet or any other fancy toy for his nephew again. “We’re not divorcing.” He hesitated. Neither Amandine nor he had mentioned anything to Stella so that she wouldn’t be upset, but frankly, he no longer wanted to operate with the expectation that his marriage would fall apart. “Amandine is pregnant.”
Stella’s face brightened. “My goodness. Well, that’s fabulous! Congratulations!”
“If you talked with Uncle Tony, and not just your nosy grandson, you would’ve known we just had our second honeymoon.”
“He’s too busy playing with his new boat to talk. Anyway, I’m glad to hear that. Another baby! They’re so precious.”
Gavin’s insides warmed at his mother’s pleasure. She deserved some good news after suffering the scandal of Jacob’s bigamy.
“You think Amandine can visit before she starts showing?”
“She can’t fly. Doctor’s orders.”
Stella’s face clouded. “Is she all right?”
“Nothing to worry about. Just no airplanes.”
She nodded. “Good. So does this mean you’re cutting back?”