“Could have. Didn’t.” Gavin smiles cockily.
“As you can see, your money is handled very well,” Elliot says, squeezing me closer.
“I…y
es.”
Amandine laughs. “Now you’re scaring her. Stop.”
“I never told her what a lunatic Gavin was.” Then Elliot dips his head to whisper, “Don’t worry. He’s a genius with money. I wouldn’t let him touch your fund otherwise.”
I nod, still dazed and having trouble processing what he’s saying.
“And I have the sense to hire the best housekeeper in the world.” Gavin rubs his hands together. “Luna makes killer enchiladas!”
We sit around a dark wooden table. It’s surprisingly intimate, just big enough for six people. The dining area has a gorgeous centerpiece made with fresh pink roses. The stereo system plays soulful jazz. The food smells absolutely divine, and the taste doesn’t disappoint. The housekeeper also made a big bowl of fresh green salad, chocolate cake and brownies.
Despite the opulence and wealth in every inch of their home and on their persons, Gavin and Amandine are surprisingly laid back and easy to talk to. Amandine sips a ginger ale and turns to me. “So tell me how you two met. I thought Gavin was pulling my leg when he told me Elliot had gotten married. I can sort of see Ryder marrying. Sort of. But Elliot? Only a really special woman could’ve gotten this guy to settle down.”
I flush and squirm, unsure what to tell her. Obviously the sordid truth is out of the question. “Uh, we—”
“It was love at first sight,” Elliot says smoothly. “She dazzled me, and I was lost.”
“I knew it!” Amandine beams, turning to her husband. “Told you it had to be love at first sight.”
Gavin sighs, but his eyes are bright as he gazes at her.
She faces me. “Can I see your ring?”
Feeling somewhat awkward, I extend my hand her way.
She moons over the diamond. “It’s gorgeous. I bet the proposal was just as divine.”
Not missing a beat, Elliot grins. “I did what I could.” He takes my hand on the table and kisses my knuckles.
I flush even as apprehension shivers through me. Elliot is good at giving her what she wants to hear without lying about all the details, but he’s too good, like he’s had tons of practice. It is all I can do to smile and pretend the way he’s describing it is exactly how it went.
Amandine sighs again. “I love a good romance.”
“It’s why you love me so much. The romance I give you is like wine—just gets better with age,” Gavin says. “I’m pretty sure Elliot isn’t going to give her a jet for their anniversary.”
My eyes widen. “A jet?”
“You still haven’t built Amandine that yacht, I presume.” Elliot reaches for another enchilada.
“Stop encouraging him,” Amandine slaps Elliot playfully on the forearm, then turns to me. “We ought to ignore the men. No sense of proportion, and no common sense, either. Next time you and I will have lunch, just us girls.”
“I’d like that,” I say.
The rest of the dinner passes at a leisurely pace. Elliot laughs easily, his body utterly relaxed in his seat. He reaches out and twirls a section of my hair around his finger over and over again as he and Gavin discuss the best tropical islands for getaways and work.
Amandine looks at her husband indulgently, then pulls me into a discussion about art and charitable foundations, asking if I plan to go to Elizabeth’s charity dinner later this month.
“I…don’t know,” I say, somewhat embarrassed. Why hasn’t Elliot said anything about it? He has to be going…but maybe he already has a date. I’m sure the invitations went out before we met.
On the other hand, it’s awkward to think about staying home while he takes another woman to a public event. No, it’s more than awkward. Pain twists in my gut.
Elliot’s hand rests on my shoulder and he squeezes. “My fault,” he interjects. “I forgot to mention it to her.”