I hesitate.
His eyes sharpen. “You should tell me if something’s bothering you.”
Elliot and I have finally reached some kind of understanding, and for the first time since I left Lincoln City, I feel truly okay. I don’t want to ruin it by talking about what is essentially a problem caused by desperation and ignoring my gut.
I realize my knuckles are white around my purse straps and force them to relax. Then I paste a big, rueful smile on my face. “A lot of bad drivers on the road. I almost got rear-ended twice.”
“Damn.” He scrunches his face. “People these days.”
“I know, right?” I keep my voice light. Better to blame them than Mr. Grayson’s casually delivered threat. He may not call it that, but his bland tone doesn’t fool me.
“Maybe we should get something pricier for you to drive.”
“Huh?”
“They’d be a lot more reluctant to hit an Aston Martin or Maserati.”
“No!” I say before I can stop myself. “There’s no way I’m touching something that costs so much.”
He shrugs. “Not that much more than your ring.”
Gasping, I stare at the huge Asscher-cut diamond on my finger. The stone winks.
He laughs. “Just kidding.”
Wrinkling my nose, I punch his shoulder. “You’re terrible!”
“What I am is lovable.”
“And highly self-aware.”
“That too.”
Amusement gleams in his eyes. It makes me feel good to see him like th
is, so carefree and happy.
“Anyway, I don’t mind.” He goes around until he is cradling my back with his chest. “You’re supposed to be relaxed and happy after spa, not tense and annoyed with drivers who don’t belong on the road.” His hands dig into my shoulders, his fingers flexing in a gentle massage.
I moan. “That feels really good.” The masseuse was good too, but nobody has the touch quite like Elliot. “But still no expensive cars. The Mercedes is pricey enough. I mean it.”
“Okay, grouchy girl.” He presses his cheek against my temple. “By the way, that was Gavin.”
“Oh. Why was he calling?”
“Their nanny got food poisoning, so they have nobody to watch their kid while we’re out and about. The housekeeper doesn’t stay overnight.”
“Oh no.” My shoulders droop, and the rest of my body inexplicably deflates. Perhaps I was looking forward to it more than I admitted.
“But Amandine still wants to go ahead if you don’t mind having dinner at their place. Their housekeeper is going to make Mexican.”
“That’d be great. I love Mexican food.”
“Thanks for being so flexible. Amandine was pretty distraught according to Gavin, and he’s freaked out about upsetting her during pregnancy.” When I look at him curiously, he adds, “Apparently she’s having a hard time with the second one. Lots of cravings and moodiness.” He shrugs, reaching for his phone. “You’d think it’d get easier with practice.” He types a text and sends it.
“We should probably get some kind of present for them. Maybe flowers for Amandine?” I twist my fingers. I don’t just want to meet them, but to make a good impression. I already blew it with Elliot’s family, but this is another chance.
“I have a couple of red wines that Gavin likes.”