Oh no. She squeezed her eyes shut. In her anger, she’d been overly harsh. His neglect and busy schedule had hurt her, but he hadn’t made her miserable. She’d never actually told him what she needed, always saying things were fine when they weren’t. She was just as responsible as him for their marriage failing.
Was it too late?
No, no. They hadn’t signed anything. There was still time.
Desperate to talk to him, she dialed his cell, but the voice mail picked up again. Damn it. Should she try the office? She checked the time. Hilary was long gone, and Gavin never picked up his office phone.
Tomorrow was D-Day at Samantha’s office. Samantha had said Craig was coming, and if he was coming Gavin must be too.
Amandine had to talk with her husband.
* * *
The next morning, Amandine opened her eyes and stared up at the ceiling. Today was the day.
Gavin would be there. She was sure of it. What Mark had said changed her perception of things. It was like a kaleidoscope that contained the major pieces of her life had been jostled and now showed a different pattern. She wanted to talk with Gavin, really have an open dialogue. She shouldn’t let her fears destroy their chance at happiness.
Sighing, she turned, wondering what time it was. The curtains in the bedroom blocked out light so well, it was difficult to tell.
The bedside clock read eight oh one.
She made a face. Ugh. She’d slept through the alarm.
Quickly, she showered and spread apple-scented lotion all over her body. It was Gavin’s favorite. Then she stared at her clothes in the closet as the conveyor belt whirred. Red was too aggressive, and pink seemed too passive. No power suits. They wouldn’t do at all. And definitely not pants.
She tapped her hips, considering her options. What other colors were there? Josephine had purchased hundreds of dresses. There must be something…
Ah-ha!
Amandine slapped the switch and the belt stopped. She pulled out a deep emerald dress that barely reached her knees and matching two-inch heeled sandals. Green was perfect—gentle, vibrant and fresh.
Just as she finished getting dressed, Brooke arrived. She cocked an eyebrow and said, “Nice, but you can do better. Didn’t Samantha say you should wear a power suit?”
Amandine shook her head. “No time to change. We’re late for the salon appointment.”
“What salon appointment?” Scowling, Brooke pulled out her tablet to check Amandine’s schedule.
“The one I made last night after I came home from La Mer.” Thankfully she had the manager’s cell phone number.
“Why?”
“Because I want to look good!”
On their way out, Luna appeared, “Your breakfast is rea—”
“After I get back,” Amandine said. There was no time.
Brooke drove to the salon, and the sharply dressed receptionist led Amandine to her stylist. “Just to confirm, you’re here for hair and makeup, correct?”
“Yes,” Amandine said, while Brooke stared at her as if she were an alien.
“Thank you. Please feel free to order refreshments, magazines, whatever you like.”
The receptionist disappeared, leaving her alone with the stylist and Brooke. The latter wasted no time ordering an iced latte and two chocolate-filled croissants. She handed one of the pastries to Amandine. “Your breakfast. You aren’t going anywhere else until you eat.”
“Okay, okay!” Amandine started munching on it. The chocolate inside tasted amazing, dark, warm and gooey.
“It’s just a divorce settlement,” Brooke said from the chair next to her, while the stylist worked on Amandine’s hair and eventually transformed it into an upswept style that somehow managed to emphasize her eyes. “You don’t have to be this worried about how you look. I bet Gavin’s going to show up as is.”