Chapter Fifteen
Since Ramsey and Keegan were in school, Gianna offered to take her mom out for lunch before she drove her to the airport.
“Oh, that would be nice,” she said, clapping her hands together. “I’ve loved every minute I spent here with you and the girls, yet I feel like I just got here and it’s time to leave already.”
As much as Gianna enjoyed her mother’s company, she was ready for her to go home. Having her here meant she’d had to communicate with Gunnar via text. He’d texted her the first night of her mother’s stay and told her he wouldn’t call her because he didn’t want to intrude on their time together. But Gianna had a feeling he was practicing avoidance. Again. And that made her crazy.
Her mother was freshening up when the doorbell rang. Gianna cast a quick glance in the hall mirror to make sure she looked presentable before opening the door. “Gunnar,” she whispered. “Oh my god, what are you doing here?” She looked past him to see his familiar pick-up truck parked at the end of her drive. “Why didn’t you tell me you were coming?”
He reached for her hand, tugging her against his hard chest as he planted a sweet kiss on her lips. “I wanted to surprise you. Surprise.”
She laughed softly as she patted his chest and took a step back. “It worked, but I’m not the only one who’ll be surprised. My mom’s still here. I was just about to take her out for lunch before I take her to the airport. So if you come back in a couple of hours, she’ll be gone.” She hesitated. “And we can talk.”
“Actually, I was hoping she’d still be here. I need to talk to her.”
“About what?” she asked, feeling slightly panicked at the prospect. She still wasn’t sure where she and Gunnar stood. The last thing she needed was her mother saying or doing something to chase him away.
“You. Me. Us. The girls. My plans for the future.”
“You don’t have to—”
He silenced her with another kiss, this time longer and more heated. “I want to.”
“Okay, honey. I’m ready to go.” Her mother stopped short when she spotted their guest. She tried for a fake smile, but it wobbled before it disappeared altogether. “Gunnar, I didn’t realize you were back in town.”
He stepped forward, reaching for her hand, which he covered with both of his. “June, I think we need to talk, don’t you?”
Gianna was shocked. She’d never seen Gunnar reach out to her mother before.
“I don’t…” She looked to Gianna. “I don’t know what we would have to talk about,” she said, withdrawing her hand from his.
“You’re my daughters’ grandmother,” Gunnar said, casting a glance at Gianna. “And the mother of the woman I love.”
Gianna sucked in a breath at his admission. Now he was declaring his love not only to her but to the people who loved her? He had changed.
“I’m sure you must have questions for me,” Gunnar said, taking a step back. “You must wonder why I suddenly think I’m worthy of your daughter when you never believed I was before.”
“Actions speak louder than words, Gunnar,” June said, her lips tightly pursed as she crossed her arms. “You don’t think I wanted you to be the kind of man my daughter needed? Believe me, I did. I could see how much she loved you, how much she wanted your relationship to work. And for her sake, as well as Ramsey and Keegan’s, I wanted it to work too, whether you believe that or not.”
“I do believe you,” he said quietly. “I don’t believe we’re on opposite sides. I think we’re on the same side. We always have been. We all want what’s best for your daughter and granddaughters. For years I’m afraid that wasn’t me.”
She narrowed her eyes at Gunnar. “You really believe that?”
“Was I the kind of father I wished I’d been? No. Was I the partner Gi needed? Hell no. Would I like a do-over?” He looked directly at Gianna. “More than anything.”
“What makes you think you deserve one?” June asked, looking from Gianna to Gunnar and back again. “I’m old school, I guess. I believe second chances have to be earned.”
“I agree with you, and that’s what I’ve been trying to do.” He reached for Gianna, bringing her in next to him as he tugged on her hand. “I’ve been trying to figure out what doesn’t work in my life anymore so I could fix it.”
June sat in the chair in the living area and gestured to the sofa, where Gunnar and Gianna took a seat. “I’m listening. What have you done to make-over your life?”
“For starters, I’m taking a professional hiatus. I left my band and told my manager and record label that I need time to focus on what’s important in my life. My family.”
Gianna curled her hand around Gunnar’s muscular bicep as she gave him a reassuring smile. So he wasn’t going back out on the road with his band? Given the choice, he chose to be with them instead…. for the first time ever.
“So what?” June asked, raising her hands. “You’re going to move in here and go back to playing house with my daughter like nothing ever happened?”
“Mom!” Gianna glared at her mother. “It’s my decision if I want to invite Gunnar back into my home and life, not yours.”
