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“Youtook a day off?” She snaps her head back.
“Affirmative.”
“To spend it with me?” Her lips quiver slightly, but she recovers quickly and puts the strict mask back on.
“That’s the plan.” I wink again and she rolls her eyes, which I take as a win. “We don’t have to talk about the past or why you ran yesterday, but you need to give me a chance to woo you.”
“To woo me?” Her lips curl up now.
“Yes, Blue. No need to repeat everything I say.” I push off the door frame and dare to reach out and tuck a strand of her hair behind her ear. Doing so I brush her cheek, and my stomach relaxes slightly.
The reaction to the contact is not one-sided, as much as she wants to pretend. She swallows and looks away as if a plausible excuse was written on the porch.
“My mom is at the community center for an art class. I have to pick her up. I can’t leave her alone for too long. The nurse comes later in the afternoon for a few hours only.”
“My mother is coming over to keep her company. Maybe to take her shopping. She’ll organize someone to pick up your mom from her class.” I better call Mom quickly. She was quite willing to help Gina’s mom, but she didn’t know it would be a full-time job. I plan to spend at least twenty-four hours with this woman.
“Bianca is coming to babysit my mom?” She puts her hands on her hips, cocking her head.
“Yes, and to tell her about an amazing senior home where there is an opening. But I’ll explain more in the car. Let’s go.”
The internal struggle is clear on her face. I’m not sure if I’m losing or winning, but I can see the struggle is real. Whatever happened last night has left her distant and conflicted.
“Where are we going?” she asks, and if I was an idio I’d pound my chest in victory. But I’m not an idiot, so I do so only in my head.
“It’s a surprise.”
“I need to know what to wear,” she deadpans.
“Something blue, baby.” I wiggle my eyebrows.
She shakes her head. “Give me five minutes.” Blue shuts the door in my face. Not the warmest behavior, but she is coming and that’s what matters.
I walk to the car and lean against it to type a quick message to my mom. I can’t call her. The first call this morning was already full of inquiry, warning and hidden glee. I love her, but talking to her once a day is enough.
I get a quick reply:You owe me.
I snort. My mother’s unconditional, limitless love.
The door opens and I look up, and a wave of heat radiates through my chest. She is wearing jeans and a blue blouse that hugs her under her breasts and fans out.
Her hair is loose, falling just down to her shoulders, and the good man in me is dazzled by her natural beauty.
The depraved bastard imagines fisting her hair as I ride her from behind, spread on my kitchen counter. Both men are idiots, judging from Blue’s frown.
“Close your mouth, master chef,” she quips.
“My lady.” I bow and open the door for her.
* * *
Gina
I climb into the black sedan and greet the driver whom I recognize from yesterday. The shadows under Massi’s eyes suggest he slept about as little as me. How we’re going to spend a day exhausted and raw with unanswered questions is beyond me. But here I am, weak and needy, unable to refuse him.
I was thrilled and horrified when he showed up. I called Phillip and Mila earlier to let them know I needed to stay home today. A reckless choice since we’re only a week from the private dining event. A point Mila graciously didn’t make.
I needed a day away from Massi. To regroup. To think. To decide what to do next. I shouldn’t have run last night, but after he confessed his deepest regret was not having a family with me, all the alarm bells screamed inside me.
