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Twenty-Three
Gia had planned the pool party with her family a month ago and since she didn’t have the heart to disinvite Jayson, he was in attendance as well. Not that anyone present batted an eyelid. Her ex was part of the crew.
Only after the night he’d cooked for her, made love to her multiple times, and slept over, she was regretting him being there, and not because she wanted him out of her life.
She was beginning to want him back in and that was infinitely more dangerous.
Despite her trying not to soften around him, somehow he’d wedged into her heart.
She’d loved him when they were married, but now she loved him in a different way. What she felt for him was deep with understanding and nothing she could shrug off easily. They’d grown since their divorce, and she was fairly certain them splitting had a lot to do with that growth.
There were only so many flippant responses and sarcastic jokes she could trot out before the truth was evident to her—and everyone in her family.
She’d fallen in love with her ex-husband.
Doomed. That’s what she was. Doomed.
How could she be brave enough to try again? After she’d failed so completely the first time? And after he’d summarily dismissed her the morning after he’d cooked for her and made love to her. He’d left, calm, cool and collected. As if he hadn’t felt the earth shake the night before.
“I know what this was, G,” he said, lingering at the front door. She had dressed in her robe and panties while he’d pulled on his trousers and shirt from last night. When she’d asked him to stay for coffee, he’d refused.
“Oh?” Her heart pounded. She was afraid to ask what he meant and afraid not to. She couldn’t very well tell him she loved him, could she?
“There is a lot between us that is unforgivable. I know that a few good moments aren’t enough to erase the past. Reconnecting with you was worth whatever happens next.”
“Jay—”
“Hear me out. I have zero regrets on my end. I don’t want you to have any on yours.” He leaned down and kissed her. It felt final. Too final. “You don’t have to find ways to avoid me, either. I won’t come around unless asked.”
Then he’d walked out the door and she hadn’t seen him until they were both at work, their office faces on. When Bran had asked Jayson if he’d see him at the pool party this weekend, the three of them had been standing in her office. To avoid awkwardness, Jayson had swiftly agreed. Once Bran left, Jayson told her that he didn’t have to come, but she’d lapsed into her “no big deal” self and told him to show up anyway.
Now he was here and splashing in the pool with her niece and Gia feared she’d made a colossal mistake.
“Meeting in the kitchen,” Taylor announced. They were seated around the patio table, snacks in the center. Bran and Jayson were in the water with Quinn while Jack and Royce were enjoying a beer on the loungers.
“Girls only,” Taylor added as she handed over baby Emmaline to Royce and gestured for Addi to follow. She nodded at Gia and then at Gia’s mother. “You too, Macy.”
Gia, feeling as if there was a boulder in the pit of her stomach, followed her sisters-in-law and mother into the house. They stood around the kitchen island and every pair of eyes homed in on her.
“What?” Gia asked, growing more nervous.
“Did something happen?” Taylor asked.
“Like what?”
“Like you’re madly in love with Jayson?” Addison filled in.
“Honey, it’s all over your face.” Macy, apparently, hadn’t missed a thing.
“Did you tell him? Did he shoot you down? Did you two break up?” Taylor asked.
“No and no. And...not really.”
Taylor, unsatisfied with those answers, narrowed her eyes.
“After we—” Gia’s gaze trickled over to her mom and decided to be vague “—ate pasta, he said he didn’t expect anything from me.”
“Only because you run like a startled deer each and every time he gets close,” Addi said. “Sorry. I know it’s not my business, and I don’t want to argue with you, but I’m right.”
