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“I’ll keep that in mind. I see it differently.”
“Somehow I thought you would. You’re so thickheaded, I wouldn’t have been surprised if you came back telling me that you’re family.”
Roger snorted. “Hell no. I’m not that fucked up.”
“Pretty damn close.” Brice leaned back in his chair. “I’ll talk to my brothers and see what we can find for Gia. My gut says my brother-in-law would be the best option.”
Bennett Stone definitely was in a field that would allow Gia to grow, however it also might throw her into the line of fire. “In a desk job, right?”
Brice shook his head. “Okay, so Bennett is out. We’ll find something.”
“Good.”
“My wife told me to invite you both for dinner tonight.”
“How did she know you were going to see me today?” Roger asked.
“Like I said, they know everything.”
Roger said, “I’m not sure Gia can make it. Her father is ill, and she went home to be with him.”
“Is it serious?” Brice asked.
“Yes. I’m going to see her when I leave here.”
“Let me know if you need anything. And don’t forget, we have a lot of connections in the medical field.”
“Thanks.” It wasn’t his place to make any decisions or give any advice. All he could do was to be there and support Gia the best he could. “Please tell Lena, thank you for the invitation.”
“I will. Should I assume this means you’ll be hanging around Boston a bit longer?”
Roger shook his head. “I have a beach house waiting for me. But you know how to find me if you need me.” Hopefully you won’t.
He left and headed to his car. Roger didn’t want to worry, but he did. Gia hadn’t reached out, and his gut said that wasn’t a good thing. Before he pulled away he sent her a quick text.
GOOD MORNING. HOW ARE THINGS WITH YOUR FATHER?
He waited but there was no immediate response. His stomach sank, and he wanted to dial her number. But he’d told her he’d be there if she needed him. Maybe she didn’t need him. That was good. She was a strong, independent woman. It was okay if she didn’t need him.
So why was not being with her bothering him so damn much? This was what he wanted. He wasn’t staying in Boston. Yet leaving without saying goodbye sure as hell wasn’t what he wanted either.
What the hell?Roger threw the car in drive and headed toward Rhode Island. He had no idea what he would encounter, or what he was going to say, but he wanted . . . no needed, to see her. It sickened him to think he was being as . . . controlling as the Hendersons, but hell, the rule book went out the window the moment he met her. He’d lost track of how many he’d already broken. Just one I can’t afford to: Don’t break her heart.
Gia couldn’t keep her eyes open a moment longer. Lying across the hard plastic seats in the ICU waiting room was far from ideal. But Gary left to go to work, and her mother was sleeping in the chair beside her father. Even though her mother said she could go home and get some rest, Gia wasn’t ready to head back to Boston.
The only thing she wished she had right now was a power cord for her cell phone. It had died late last night after chatting with Roger. She had told him they’d talk today, but apparently the universe had other plans. It was funny, she remembered a lot of things, but couldn’t recall Vickie’s or Roger’s phone numbers. It was sad how she relied on technology, and the two people she really wanted to talk to right now, were out of her reach.
She closed her eyes. Where are my shooting stars when I need them? There was so much for her to wish for right now; the stars could light up the sky and she’d have a wish for each of them.
It wasn’t easy to sleep with the loud intercom paging doctors directly overhead. But somehow, exhaustion kicked in and sleep came. It was far from peaceful as she was tortured with thoughts of Roger. Not the sweet tender moments they had shared just two day ago, but one of heartbreak. He walked away. His back was to her. No matter how loud she called, he didn’t turn around.
The tears burned as they streamed down her cheeks. How could he do this? Didn’t he know how much she needed him? She called out again, and he increased his pace, as though he couldn’t put enough distance between them.
She knew that was coming. His life wasn’t in Boston. How could she have expected him to stay? Just like the people wanted her to stay in Maplesville. You can’t be where your heart wasn’t. But he took a piece of her heart with him.
It wasn’t fair. When she was with him she felt . . . the most alive she ever had. They might have just crossed paths, yet something about them together felt so . . . right. Gia was a fighter and wasn’t letting him go this easily.
She got up and started to chase after him. Yet her feet wouldn’t move. She was stuck to the ground. When she looked down, the sandy beach was replaced with concrete and her feet were covered, holding her in place. As she looked around, tall buildings rose from below and eventually blocked her view. The answer was there. They had chosen different lives, and those differences would keep them apart.
