“Oh.” I pause. Would I be expected to partake some of it? I have no idea how etiquette works in a situation like this. It would be odd if I decline to drink what Elliot and I brought, wouldn’t it?
As though he senses my reservation, Elliot adds, “He’ll probably uncork one at the table, since he can’t wait when it comes to good wine, but you don’t have to drink it. Amandine won’t be having any either.” He kisses me lightly on the forehead.
His thoughtfulness touches me. It is surprisingly nice not to have to be in charge of everything as I often have been in the last two years. It’s as though an invisible yoke has been lifted from my shoulders.
“And we have a box of gourmet chocolates for Amandine, so she won’t be put out. Hopefully she’s not adverse to it.”
“Who doesn’t like good chocolate?”
“Pregnant women apparently. I’ve heard some insane stories about cravings.”
I rest my head on his shoulder, inhaling his clean, masculine scent. It’s so uniquely Elliot and it does crazy things to my hormones and emotions. A longing for closeness unfurls even as my blood heats. I want the rest of our year to be like this, even if it makes it harder for me to leave. That way we can at least remain friends, if nothing else.
“A penny for ’em,” he murmurs.
I tilt my head and look into his gorgeous eyes. “I was debating between milk chocolate and dark.” It’s a silly thing to say, but I don’t want to get too heavy.
An odd look passes, and he laughs. “Seriously?”
“Uh-huh.”
“Beautiful.”
“Hmm?”
“Why debate when you can have both?” He pulls me up. “Come on. We should get going if we want to make it in time. Traffic is going to be apocalyptic.”
“They don’t live downtown?”
“Nope. It’s a house out in the boonies.”
Chapter Ten
Annabelle
The “house out in the boonies” turns out to be a mansion. A huge one, with gates, a long winding driveway and a large garden.
I stare at it open-mouthed through the Maserati’s window. “Oh my god!”
“You like what you see?” Elliot says.
“It’s like something out of Gone with the Wind.”
Elliot grunts. Mr. Blasé. He’s probably seen it all, but I’m not quite that cool.
“Gavin’s commute must be terrible.” The OWM offices are downtown.
“That’s why he has a driver, so he can sleep in the car.”
I shoot Elliot a look. “Does he really sleep in the car?”
“He didn’t use to, but I bet he does now. He’s gotten lazy over the years, ever since Amandine had their first baby.”
“A boy or a girl?”
“A boy. His name is Jeremy.”
I fidget as Elliot pulls in in front of the massive entrance. It has a wide portico and enormous Grecian columns. “I feel so underdressed.” I smooth down clothes. I’m in a butterfly-motif ensemble, complete with gleaming peep-toe patent leather pumps that make me feel like the proverbial million bucks. They’re brand new, and they scrape the back of my feet, but they are gorgeous. “Maybe I should’ve put on something fancier.”