AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“About work,” I quickly add, so she won’t decide to call it a day for her and Maddie.
“Oh. Okay.”
“Ashlyn, why don’t you tell Maddie all about how you spent your Thanksgiving with your grandparents and maybe play a game or two while I speak with Giselle?”
“Okay, Dad.” She turns to Maddie. “Thanksgiving was so much fun.”
I shift my gaze to Giselle, who stares at me warily before looking away.
“We need to talk,” I say in an undertone.
“You said we’d talk about work.”
“I know, but . . .” I drift to a stop when I see her face take on a cold expression. I’m more than certain if I mention anything other than the Met, she’ll leave the table.
“Rumor has it that you’ve been reassigned to the conservator team,” I say, even though I know all about it because it was me who recommended her for the position. I didn’t have to do much persuading, though. Her quality work spoke for itself.
“Yes,” she says simply and sips from her water.
“Congratulations.” I reach out to hold her hand on the table, but she speedily withdraws it.
“Please don’t touch me.”
I glance at the girls. Maddie is telling Ashlyn how she spent her own celebration, and Ashlyn is listening intently. Neither of them seem to have noticed what just transpired.
“I’ve been trying to get through to you without success. What’s going on? And please don’t insult my intelligence by claiming that you don’t want me anymore. Your body language tells a different story. Why won’t you tell me what’s wrong?”
“I have nothing further to say to you, Miles. I’ve made my decision. Please respect it.”
“Just like that? Something must have happened for you to have a sudden change of heart.” Grasping at straws because I don’t understand what’s going on with her, I ask, “Is it Pierre? Is he back in your life? Is that why you want to throw away what we have?”
She scoffs. “What we have?” She looks as if she wants to say something further, but then she shakes her head and reaches for her purse’s strap on the chair. “We had nothing but acasual fling,” she hisses through a whisper. Loudly she says, “Thanks, Miles, for a lovely evening, but Maddie and I have to go home now. Her dad hasn’t seen her all day, and it’s way past her bedtime.”
Both Maddie and Ashlyn look crestfallen, but they don’t argue. Giselle rises and helps Maddie with her coat.
“It was wonderful meeting you, Ashlyn.”
Ashlyn smiles happily. “It was lovely meeting you too, Giselle.” She turns to Maddie and hugs her. “See you in school on Monday.”
Maddie nods. “You too, Ashlyn.”
Ashlyn surprises me by hugging Giselle, who also appears surprised by the gesture. This is more than an indication to me that Ashlyn is ready to have a woman that isn’t her mom in our lives. Nevertheless, I’ll have a conversation with her about it without mentioning Giselle’s name.
Outside, the weather has turned icy. The ground is covered with a thin white layer, snowflakes falling steadily. I hail a cab and help Maddie into it. I have to clench my hands until they shake to keep from touching Giselle. Every fiber of my being urges me to pull her close and insist on another chance. I not only miss having her in my bed, but also talking to her and just being with her. I wave as the cab drives away. My heart feels as if someone ripped it from my chest.
This isn’t over, not by a long shot. Whether she likes it or not, I’ll find a way to make her mine.
CHAPTER20
GISELLE
“Take deep breaths. No sudden movement,” I mutter after sipping the ginger tea Gabriel recommended to help with nausea. I don’t like it, but so far, it’s what has helped with the queasiness the best.
With my hand on my still flat tummy, I smile. I look forward to meeting my baby, but at the same time, I’m aware that my life will be turned upside down, especially my career. Over the past months, I’ve worked hard for the chance at being on the conservator team. Fortunately, it has paid off, and my career has advanced more than I expected. As my first assignment in my new role, the Met is sending me to Paris to help the Louvre put up their Mayan exhibit, which they are modeling after the one at the Met.
I received the news with mixed feelings. While I look forward to the new role and seeing the rest of my family again, I’m worried about my condition. Being in my first trimester, I’m always nauseated and tired. It takes a lot of effort to stay awake during office hours, and I’ve had to give up on coffee because I read that too much of it isn’t good for the baby.
Gabriel had recommended an obstetrician from the hospital, and I had already started seeing them for my pregnancy. As I prepared to travel, I went to see him and discuss my fears of flying in the first trimester. The doctor told me my pregnancy is progressing normally and I shouldn't have any worries about flying. However, he told me to take things easy and not overwork myself. That might be hard to do, given that I have to make sure the exhibit at the Louvre is successful. Although I’m eager to begin the project, I can’t help having misgivings about seeing my former colleagues again after the abrupt way I left. Most of them will be surprised but happy for me that, in such a short time, I got the role of assistant conservator at the Met.
