Paradise Read Free Page B

touched that he had realised.
    ‘Thanks so much, Ethan,’ she said quietly, kissing him lightly on the lips. ‘That was the sweetest thing, the best present ever.’
    ‘I’d do anything to make you happy,’ he told her. Angel wanted to say the same, but if anything meant divorcing Cal then she just didn’t think she could do it.
    Back at the house Jose and Maria had laid on a poolside BBQ with mini-burgers, seared prawns and delicious salads. Honey was back from her day out and thrilled to be with her mummy again. At two and a half, she was a perfect poppet with long dark brown curly hair, big brown eyes, and the beautiful olive skin of her father. She was also feisty and cheeky, and could throw tantrums for Britain. She snuggled on Angel’s lap, playing with the diamond necklace, while the friends caught up. Ethan had to go to some business meeting.
    Jez and Gemma had visited Angel in Santa Monica once before but were still dazzled by the sheer luxury and size of the house. ‘It is so beautiful here,’ Gemma said, elegantly sipping her mojito.
    She had changed into a stylish purple maxi dress. Gemma was a fashionista through and through, nailing all the new trends. She was constantly on Angel’s case trying to make her more fashion aware, sending her links to dresses on Net-A-Porter that she thought were ‘must haves’. Every now and then Angel would take her advice, but left to her own devices was always happiest in jeans or tracksuits.
    ‘It’s like a dream,’ Jez agreed from where he sat surveying the glittering Pacific Ocean and exquisitely kept gardens, the lush green lawn with its perfectly mown grass. ‘Are you sure I couldn’t move in and be your permanent hairdresser slash slave?’ He was only half joking. ‘So long as you had space for Rufus.’
    ‘Why isn’t he here?’ Angel asked; she was sure Ethan would have paid for his ticket as well.
    Jez sighed, ‘He couldn’t get the time off. The gym’s not doing very well and Rufus is having to put in extra hours. I hardly see him at the moment. I keep saying I should book some personal training sessions with him. At least that way I’d get to see more of him.’ He looked sad for a few seconds before quipping, ‘But, hey, absence makes the heart grow fonder and the cock grow harder.’
    Angel gestured at Honey, who was fortunately too engrossed in eating strawberries to listen. ‘So what’s your news, Gem?’ Angel asked. Eight months ago Gemma had suffered a miscarriage, and Angel knew it had taken her friend a long time to get over her sadness at losing the baby.
    ‘Work’s fine and Tony’s good. But my real news is that we’re going to try for a baby again. I feel I can put what happened behind me.’
    ‘Oh, Gem, that’s so good to hear. I really hope it works out for you.’
    And Angel truly meant it. The months following themiscarriage had been so tough for Gemma. It had also been a time when the two women had grown apart as Gemma had questioned whether Angel had made the right decision when she left Cal for Ethan. What made it all the harder was that Cal was Tony’s best friend, so naturally Gemma had divided loyalties.
    ‘So what about you?’ she asked.
    ‘Everything is great. I love it out here, though of course I miss all you guys. And it’s going really well with Ethan. He’s perfect for me, Gem. I’m really happy.’ Angel was aware she was gushing – she just wanted Gemma to believe her, and her friend still had a slightly sceptical look on her face. ‘You’ll never guess what he did this morning . . .’
    Angel proceeded to tell them how Ethan had filled the bedroom with flowers and about the trip to Tiffany’s. But as soon as she mentioned it, she remembered the incident with his credit cards. He was supposed to be a multi-millionaire, so wasn’t it odd that his cards had been declined?
    ‘I thought that looked rather gorge,’ Jez said, looking enviously at the necklace.
    ‘It’s beautiful,’ Gemma