The CEO(11)
The sound of a doorbell echoed in the house and the noise of it broke the moment.
When he stiffened, she pulled her fingers back abruptly.
‘Thank you.’ His reply was formal suddenly. ‘I’ll go answer the door.’
Chapter Four
‡
Five minutes later, Callum’s house was filled with sombre people and muted conversations. Chris was watching over Ellie protectively as she relaxed into one of the grey designer sofas, looking more than relieved to be taking a load off her feet. Cooper was in the gleaming white and stainless steel kitchen, on the phone again, and Lulu and Michael were admiring the large pieces of modern artwork that adorned the walls. Bottles of white and red wine sat on the expansive marble island bench, along with eight crystal wine glasses, four tumblers and a bottle of scotch. Once Ava had poured herself a substantial and fortifying glass of white, she’d slipped through the glass doors out to the balcony and to the view she’d longed to see without the windows in the way.
Out on the balcony, the air was fresh and crisp and a light breeze blew just enough that she could feel it tangle with her still damp hair. She sipped her wine, a perfectly chilled Adelaide Hills Sauvignon Blanc, and looked out over the cliff tops in the distance.
‘This is some piece of real estate, huh?’ It was Ellie.
‘It sure is,’ Ava smiled. She’d only met Chris’s wife for the first time that day, but had immediately liked her friendly smile and even friendlier attitude.
‘Although it would be better if there was somewhere comfortable out here to sit down.’ Both women looked around. There was nothing on the balcony, not even a potted plant. ‘Come to think of it, it would be better out here if there was anything. Do you think he ever comes out here to look at the view, Mr Serious Chief Executive Callum Malone?’
‘Not by the look of this.’ Ava asked quietly, ‘Has he just moved in or something?’
Ellie came closer, as close as she could get with a baby bump that managed to arrive everywhere five minutes before she did. ‘About twelve months ago, I think, just after he’d sold the place on the Harbour he lived in when he was married to Lulu. Such a shame but that’s what happens when—’ She clasped a hand over her mouth. ‘God. Sorry, of course you know that. I hate that whole baby brain excuse thing that women use, but it’s real. And it’s also now responsible for the foot I have firmly wedged in my mouth.’
Ava shrugged. ‘Please, don’t worry. Things happen. We’re just the ones watching from the sidelines, right?’
Ellie smiled. ‘That’s true. And we shouldn’t let it come between us. Who knows what happens between two people, the whys and wherefores of why things go wrong? All I know is that he’s been hit hard. I just feel so bad for him, you know? It’s hard to see someone so miserable and not be able to do anything about it.’
That tension instantly returned to Ava’s shoulders. He deserved to be miserable, didn’t he? And even if he was, why should she care?
Which was of course why she asked in a hushed voice, ‘Callum is miserable?’
Ava felt a tightening in her chest. Was Callum still in love with Lulu? Is that why he was miserable? Had he realised that he’d been a dick and was now trying to win her back?
Ellie waved towards the ocean view. ‘He may have all this, the huge house and a ridiculously fancy car, but I think he misses—’
‘What are you doing out here, my gorgeous wife?’ Chris’s booming voice was carried into the wind and Ellie turned to her husband.
‘I’m having girl time with Ava away from all that Malone testosterone.’
Chris looked at her so lovingly that Ava was jealous of it. ‘Last time I checked, you loved all that Malone testosterone.’
‘It got me into the position I’m in today,’ Ellie smiled. ‘Which is why I need a chair.’
‘Leave it with me.’ Chris disappeared back inside.
‘When are you due?’ Ava asked.
‘Officially two weeks.’ Ava wasn’t sure if Ellie realised she was doing it, but she brought both hands to her belly and smoothed her fingers over it protectively. ‘And damn, I want this baby out. I have to pee every five minutes and I feel like a whale and—’ Ellie laughed and waved a hand at Ava. ‘Do you have children?’
‘Me?’ Ava asked in shock. ‘No, no children. I’m still a swinging single.’
‘Sorry. This must be so boring to you. It’s what happens, unfortunately. For eight months you can’t think about squeezing the baby out and then, when you get to this heffelump size, you become obsessed with it. I’m officially telling myself to shut up now. So what about you, Ava? Tell me something about you. I already know how you know the Malones but tell me, what do you do?’