“Why?”
Was this some kind of test? A lot of people in Gavin’s circle were knowledgeable about classical music. To her it was unknown territory, except for a few popular tunes she recognized from TV shows and commercials.
Gavin gave her a bemused smile. “There is no right or wrong answer.”
Well then. “It’s warmer and gentler. It’s almost like the cellist is performing just for one person…someone really special to him.”
“Not bad.” He chuckled. “And you’re going to thrill Damien with that assessment.”
“Damien?”
“Damien Kirk. He’s the cellist. A good friend of mine. The version you prefer is his latest recording.”
“He’s talented.”
“Amazingly so, but he works even harder. At the top level, everyone’s talented.”
“So what’s special about him then? Just a lot of hard work?”
Gavin studied her face for a long moment. “No. He got married.”
“Must be love.” Amandine could feel herself prickling with envy. She’d wanted something like that. Instead what she had was a one-sided relationship. No matter how delicious Gavin was in bed, she couldn’t help but think it wasn’t the same thing as love.
Amandine put the fork down. “I’m full now.”
He glanced at her plate, at least half-covered with food. “You should have a little more.”
“If I eat any more, I might puke.”
Gavin leaned forward, his eyes probing. “Morning sickness?”
“No. From being over-stuffed.” She went to the walk-in closet and changed into a white sleeveless tunic and beige shorts. She squirted a generous dollop of sunblock and smeared it over her exposed skin.
“Where are you off to?” Gavin asked.
“Explore the outside before it gets too hot.” She took a bottle of water from the table.
“Let me come with you.”
He started to rise, but she put a hand over his chest. “There’s no need. Why don’t you check your email or something? I’m sure you have a lot of work to do.”
A dark frown said he didn’t want to do as she suggested.
“I won’t be long. And I’ll take my phone. Just in case.”
He nodded. His computer hard disk was probably ready to explode with new emails.
Shoving her phone into the back pocket of her shorts, she left the house. At the beach, tanned workers in black trunks combed the sand for debris. Good lord. She’d seen people doing work like that at resorts, but never expected the Lloyds would have the same service on their beach.
The waves were gentle as they swept up the moist sand underneath her toes. The sun sat low and bright on the horizon, golden where it met the water. The ocean looked bluer in the morning, almost aquamarine. Amandine stared at the light fracturing over the ever-moving water surface, each section like an instant of stained glass. The scene before her would look gorgeous on canvas, although she rarely painted landscapes. She should’ve brought her art supplies. She’d assumed the second honeymoon would be rather torturous with Gavin trying to convince her to stay by throwing more things at her while he simultaneously directed everyone at his office halfway around the world. But that wasn’t how it was turning out. It was like Gavin wanted to see her soul.
If he knew how she felt about him, would he reciprocate her love…or turn away in embarrassment and pity?
Her phone rang. She frowned when the ID showed it was her brother calling. What time was it in L.A.? “Hello?”
“Amandine, what are you doing?” Pete’s voice sounded strained. “How can you divorce Gavin?”
She stopped—literally—in her tracks. “Where did you hear that?” Brooke wouldn’t ha