The drive back to the mansion was uneventful. Maybe the world was trying to be kind to her today, compensation after her husband had rammed his heavy-handed reconciliation attempt down her throat. He’d promised a lot to get her to stay…everything but love.
Was she that unlovable?
The moment Amandine stepped into the grand foyer, she saw staff bustling about with suitcases. Was Gavin moving out after telling her he wanted them to be together?
Luna appeared, dragging a giant surfboard. Where in the world had that come from?
“Welcome back.” She beamed. “I think I got almost everything you need, but can you take a look in your closet and bathroom and tell me if I missed anything?”
“I’m sorry?”
“It’s so romantic to have a second honeymoon.” Luna sighed dreamily.
Amandine stared at the housekeeper. “Second honeymoon?” she said faintly.
“Uh oh.” Luna put a hand over her bosom, her mouth puckering. “Did I ruin a surprise?”
“No, no you didn’t.” More like a…shock.
Walking away from the staff for privacy, Amandine called her husband and steeled herself. He better not tell her he’d talk to her later and hang up like he normally did. Not if he wanted to convince her to stay.
“Yes, dear?” he said on the fifth ring.
“What’s all this about a second honeymoon? What the hell are you doing?”
“Reconciling.”
“I never said I’d go on a second honeymoon with you,” she hissed.
“You never said you wouldn’t.”
“Gavin, you’re supposed to be nice to me, remember? You’re supposed to make me want to stay with you.”
“If you can tell me why taking you on a second honeymoon is not ‘being nice to you,’ I’ll cancel it.”
“I… I…” She clamped her mouth shut. A romantic time in seclusion with her husband was not what she wanted, not when she expected their marriage to end anyway.
“‘I’ doesn’t tell me anything. You’ve never been to the family vacation home in Thailand, and I think you’ll enjoy it. We’ll have the entire house to ourselves. Besides, we can break in your jet.”
“I said you could have it.”
“What am I going to do with a jet with a pink bathroom? It’s yours, no matter what happens.”
She rubbed her temples. “What if Dr. Silverman says I shouldn’t be flying in my condition?”
“Already cleared it with her.”
“You’re kidding.”
“Not for something this important. See you at the hangar. Have Thomas drive you.”
“What about Brooke?”
“Leave her behind. The place in Thailand is fully staffed. We aren’t taking anybody from L.A.”
A soft click and he was gone. She stared at the phone for a long time, trying to process what the hell the point of a second honeymoon was.
She couldn’t think of one. Giving up, she called Brooke.