The Billionaire's Baby Bargain(55)

“I meant what I said earlier, you know,” Danielle said and cast Chloe a sideways glance. “I have never seen Andrés look at a woman the way he looks at you.”

Chloe’s throat tightened and she bit her lip. Whatever Danielle thought she saw when Andrés looked at her wasn’t the truth.

“I see that you do not believe me,” Danielle murmured.

“Our relationship is complicated,” Chloe finally confessed.

The other woman gave an amused laugh and shook her head. “Oui, they all are. I’m certain that whatever problems you and Andrés have will work themselves out as time passes.”

Chloe gave a wan smile and took another sip of her sparkling water. It was a lovely thought, but she certainly wouldn’t hold her breath waiting.

Andrés approached them again, holding a plate full of small hors d’oeuvres. “Still hungry, cariño?” he murmured, leaning down to brush a kiss across her cheek, then handed her the plate.

The return of his use of cariño did not go unnoticed by Chloe; she flushed, even knowing he did it only because Danielle was beside them.

“Yes. Thank you, darling.” Her endearment for him was entirely too easy to add. Her cheeks burned hotter when his lips curled in amusement.

Andrés gave her a quick wink. Turning to Danielle, he said, “Now if you ladies will excuse me, I’ve found your husband, and I have a bit of a score to settle with him.”

“Still smarting over that last poker game, are we?” Danielle teased, and then waved him away. “Go. We are perfectly capable of entertaining ourselves.”

Andrés gave an amused laugh and then turned to walk away. “Of that I have no doubt.”

Chloe watched as Andrés joined a distinguished-looking man with dark features and became quickly engrossed in conversation.

“How do you know Andrés?” she asked Danielle, lifting a small fruit tart to her mouth.

“My husband, Phillip, and Andrés were flatmates in college, back before I even had met Phillip. Neither of them had more than a few pennies to their name back then, but that quickly changed once they finished school. They’re thick as thieves, those two.”

Chloe took in the information with a nod, grateful to have a bit of insight about Andrés’ life beyond his difficult childhood.

“How is Andrés with children?” she asked hesitantly.

“Andrés is brilliant with children. Ours adore him,” Danielle said enthusiastically.

“Really?”

“You sound surprised.”

“No, I just…” Perhaps Danielle and her husband weren’t aware of Andrés’s childhood? But the idea that he hadn’t told his best friend and yet had chosen to confide in her seemed a bit implausible.

“You are thinking of having children of your own soon, perhaps?” Danielle asked with an arched brow. Then her attention slipped to the sparkling water Chloe sipped. Her smile widened. “Sooner than later?”

Chloe’s cheeks burned hotter and she lowered her gaze.

“Ah, how wonderful for you both.” Danielle leaned in and gave her arm a light squeeze. “Your secret is safe with me.”

“Thank you,” she replied softly.

Not that it mattered much. Though right now she could disguise her growing belly with the right clothes, it was only a matter of time until that wasn’t an option.

“Oh, I absolutely detest that woman,” Danielle said suddenly, her tone darkening.

Chloe lifted her head. “Who?”

But her attention already locked on Estella Martinez, and her stomach sank to the ground. No. Why was that hateful woman here?

“The one speaking with Andrés. She manages his Valencia resort,” Danielle continued with a scowl. “I do not trust her.”

Chloe was not quite prepared to share how she and Andrés had met, and that she’d worked for Señora Martinez over the summer. But it was a relief to find someone else who didn’t trust her either.

Danielle made a noise of annoyance. “She reminds me of a poisonous snake, just ready to sink her venomous teeth into someone.”

Chloe began to laugh but then stilled as Andrés leaned down to kiss the woman’s cheek.

Her heart squeezed painfully and she struggled to breathe. Had he no concern whatsoever for his wife’s emotions? He knew she already questioned his past with the woman.

A soft hand fell on her shoulder. “Cheri, it is his culture. Do not read too much into his behavior.”

From across the room Estella met Chloe’s gaze, and her lips curved into a smug smile. Chloe’s blood fired with anger and she snapped her teeth together. Any other employee and Chloe might not have minded so much, but Estella had made it clear that she had her eyes on Andrés.