Page 103 of Love By The Falls

Fuck, why does this feel like I am speaking to my mother? I imagine she’s at some dinner party of her own and probably couldn’t care less who I spend my time with since she’s no longer responsible for me.

“Yes, Brigitte, a child. I raise my glass, and a server quickly refills my wine.”

“Well, all the more reason you shouldn’t be toying with her.”

“I’m not toying with her. It’s not like that.”

“Then, tell me, Cal. What’s it like? You drive four hours to be with a woman who lives God knows where—”

“Cedar Brook Falls,” I add, and her face flushes from her neck to her hairline.

“She has a child. She probably has a life, and she thinks she’s going to have it all taken care of by the rich millionaire she met—Where did you meet again?”

“St. Kitts.”

She drops her elbows on the table. She’s really losing her mind now. “St. Kitts? How the hell did she manage that? Was she another member’s guest? Does this woman trollop around our circles?”

My fingers tighten around my glass. “Brigitte,” I warn, because she’s dangerously close to insulting Charlotte and she doesn’t deserve that sort of censure.

“She’s just looking to lure you in and pay for her and her child. I say, get out now and forget that little tryst you had while on vacation.”

Her words anger me, and while I never lose my temper, my fists tighten around my napkin.

“I’m not interested in any other relationship right now.”

“Why not? There are plenty of eligible women here in Manhattan—and the only baggage they bring is their Louis Vuitton.”

Brigitte titters at her disdainful joke. Even Trudy chuckles softly beside me.

“I can’t do that to her.”

“Oh, don’t be so dramatic. Of course, you can. Just stop calling.”

“No, I won’t.”

“Why not?”

“Because she’s having my baby!”

Brigitte’s mouth hangs open, and Trudy drops her fork. It clatters to the ground and Michael finally looks up.

“What? What did I miss?”

Shaking her head, Brigitte practically growls, “You stupid cad. She got her claws into you and now she’lltake your money for the next eighteen years. The woman won the jackpot.”

My jaw clenches. “It was an accident.”

“Did you use protection?”

I swallow, but it’s difficult. “No.”

“Then it was no accident. You got played.” She claps her hands dramatically. “Hats off to this woman. She’s better at the game than most.”

I push my chair back and throw my napkin on the table. “Excuse me,” I say and march out of the room.

My fists clench at my sides and I barely notice the butler open the front door for me. I start the car without even thinking about where I would go.

I slam my palm against the steering wheel. Every interaction plays through my mind.

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