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“YepbutIdon’t really care for it.”
LouledGaylethrough the foyer and into a vast living room.Shecaught a glimpse of the kitchen with gleaming countertops. “Whyever not?”
“Ithas an empty feel to me, impersonal.”Hepinned her with his gaze. “Maybeit's just missing a woman’s touch.”
Gaylereddened.Thingswere going insanely fast.Butit felt fine.Right.
Louwas watching her, seemingly unsure what her face revealed.Heled her to a brown leather sofa, where they sat. “Doyoulike it?”
Hesounded like an insecure teenage version of himself, one she’d never seen, even back then.
“Likeit?It’sgorgeous.Ilove it.”
Gaylecould swearLou’schest expanded.Theman was a billionaire and yet cared about her bourgeois opinion.Truthwas she didn’t care if the place was a hovel.
Okay, maybe not a hovel.Butsomething much simpler.Allshe cared about was thatLouwas there with her.
“Thehouse theSomersbrothers are building for me will be a better fit.Ihope.”
Nowher mouth did drop open. “Areyou talking about the new house inPrivatePeaks?”
“Yes, you know it?”
“I’mfairly certain everyone does.Thathome is going to be something worthy ofArchitecturalDigest.”
“Actuallythey’ve already reached out to my daughter.She’smy assistant.ButIdeclined.Ilike my privacy.”
“Youhave a daughter?”Therewas so much for them to catch up on.Alifetime’s worth.
Lounodded. “Hername’sFrancine.She’swonderful.Brilliant, beautiful.NotthatI’mbiased.”Hepulled his phone and showedGayleseveral photos.
“She’slovely.”
Louset the phone down on the glass coffee table. “Howabout you?Anykids?”
“No.Igot married late, whatever that means these days.Fora whileIwas worried aboutTomand me providing sufficient support for a child.Bythe time we were both making a decent living, it was too late.”
Theygot quiet,Gayleconsidering how life would have been different if they’d married.
Asif reading her mind,Lousaid, “Wewould have had five, six kids.”
Shelaughed. “Oh, really?”
Lou’sfingers were playing with the tips of her hair.Itfelt like a tease.Goosebumpslined her arms.
Shethought ofTom.Wouldhe have likedLou?Probably.Theyboth loved sports, both loved her.Yes,Tomwould approve.
Herhusband had been a good man, a loving husband, content with what they had, the lives they built together.Sowas she.
ButTomhad never been her true love.Sheguessed he had sensed that and found a way to accept it.
Thelove of her life was the love from her youth.
“Tellme about your job,”Lousaid, pulling her back to the present.Tothe marvelous present.
“Asof a few hours ago,I’munemployed.”
Loushifted his position, facing her. “Soundslike a story there.”
