Free More Than He Expected by Andrea Laurence

something casual.
    Certainly there had to be a middle ground where he could have
Gwen back in his bed without grand, sweeping, romantic promises he couldn’t
keep. Being up-front and honest about that seemed kinder than promising what he
couldn’t deliver. If laughter and passion and excitement weren’t enough for
Gwen, then this whole week would be a waste of his time.
    “Why aren’t you out there stomping?” Will asked, coming up from
behind him with a glass of chardonnay in each hand. He held one out and Alex
gratefully accepted.
    He swallowed a large gulp and let the dry bite of the wine
chase away his unwelcome thoughts. “I just had these shoes polished,” he said,
knowing it was a lame excuse.
    “Does Adrienne know you and Gwen slept together?”
    Will’s blunt question nearly sent a burning stream of wine up
through Alex’s nostrils. Instead, he fought to choke it down, swallowing and
taking a painful, deep breath before he spoke. “No, she doesn’t,” he sputtered,
and coughed into his fist. There was no sense in playing dumb. Will knew him too
well and had watched him move through a line of women over the years. “Gwen
doesn’t want her to know.”
    Will nodded as he lifted his wineglass to drink. “She’d get
overly romantic ideas about the two of you.”
    “Probably.” Alex knew Will’s bride was the best thing to ever
happen to his friend, but she was softhearted and idealistic to a fault. “How
did you know?”
    Will glanced across the field, and Alex followed the direction
of his gaze to the two women. The stomping was nearly over, and they were making
their way off the field as best they could in a giggling fit. “The tension
between you two is palpable. I’ve seen you watching her when you think no one is
paying attention. When did it happen? It had to be right after the wedding.”
    “Yes. While you and Adrienne were on your honeymoon in
Bali.”
    “It’s been a long time since you’ve seen her, then.”
    “Yeah. You know I’ve been in New Orleans for months. Hell, I
hadn’t even spoken to her since November.”
    “That’s certainly interesting.”
    Alex tried not to frown. He didn’t like the implication of his
friend’s tone. “What do you mean by that?”
    “You’re still into her after all this time.”
    He certainly was. But he knew what Will was inferring—that
perhaps he had real feelings for Gwen. He liked Gwen. He enjoyed her company.
But feelings? Alex didn’t have feelings about women. Not even for her.
    “Why not?” he asked, dismissively. “I’d be stupid to pass up
the opportunity to be with her again. She’s a beautiful, uncomplicated woman who
happens to be an exceptional lover. There’s nothing else to it.”
    Will chuckled and slapped Alex on the back. “You just keep
telling yourself that and maybe it will become the truth.”
    Alex’s brow furrowed. “It is the
truth. And besides that, she’s turned me down, so there’s even less than nothing
to it.”
    Will tried to smother a smile, but failed. “Gwen turned you
down? Is that an Alex Stanton first?”
    He shrugged. “Maybe. But it’s not over yet, so don’t count me
out. There’s four days left to this trip. Eventually I’ll convince her that I’m
worth abandoning her vows of celibacy while she’s here. Then she can go back to
living like a nun, I’ll be back on my game and Gwen will be in my past, just
like all the others.”
    Adrienne waved at them and Will raised a hand to her. “Whatever
you say, man. But if you want to keep whatever it is you two are or aren’t
having a secret, you’d better be more careful. I’ve never seen you look at a
woman the way you look at Gwen. Adrienne will pick up on it in an instant.” He
started off across the lawn to join his wife.
    “And how is that, exactly?” Alex called out to him.
    Will stopped and turned, his face drawn and serious. “Almost
like you wish that baby was yours.”

Five
    I t was an exhausting day. Too much sun