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“And you bring up a good point,” I continue, not wanting Pia to feel awkward or embarrassed. “I didn’t think about the costs of horse maintenance.”
Pia hums in the back of her throat, nodding along. “It’s not so bad. I don’t have to worry about bills or food. The circus takes care of all of that.”
“Are your parents here too? Do they have an act?”
Pia’s face drains of color, her shoulders sagging as she breaks eye contact. I never want to see her like this. I have no idea what I said.
“Uh, no,” she whispers. “They, um…” Pia takes a deep breath before blowing it all out in a rush. “They died in a car accident last year.”
My chest caves in at her confession. “Pia, I’m so sorry.”
She nods, but I can see the tears in her eyes. Jesus, it hurts seeing her in so much turmoil. I react without thinking and pull her into my arms. She tenses for a second but then wraps her arms around me too, sniffling into my chest.
“I’m so sorry, baby,” I murmur as I rub her back.
She clings to me, her little body trembling against mine. I want to lift her up and carry her back to my hotel room so I can kiss away each and every one of her tears.
Pia whimpers and nods, falling apart in my arms. “It still hurts,” she squeaks out.
“I know,” I whisper.
My girl tips her head back, searing me with her baby-blue eyes. “Do you?” she asks.
I hum in confirmation. “My dad died when I was young. He was in the military and overseas. My mom passed away a few years ago from cancer.”
“Oh, Gavin, I’m so sorry,” she whispers, the sincerity in her eyes making her look that much more innocent and vulnerable.
I tuck a few strands of her silky blonde hair behind her ear, letting my fingers slide across her cheek before I drop my hand to my side. I want to touch her every-fucking-where, both to give her pleasure as well as comfort her.
“Thanks,” I murmur.
“Is it just you now then?” she asks and I shake my head.
“No, I have an older sister. I’m actually here with her and my nephew tonight.”
Pia gives me a small smile and steps away from me. I hate to let her go but I suppose that I don’t have much of a choice.
“You should get back to them. I need to take care of Penny,” she says as we reach the stable tent.
I glance at it, and I know that now is my chance.
“Have dinner with me,” I say. Pia blinks, clearly startled.
But I can see it. The longing on her face. She wants to say yes. She wants me just like I want her, and I wonder if she can feel this invisible connection between us too.
Maybe I should have told her that I fell in love with her the second that I saw her. Maybe she wouldn’t have been freaked out at all.
Visions of our life together start to float inside my head. Us at our wedding, our wedding night, decorating a nursery. I want all of it, and it’s so close that I can taste it.
Georgia would be so happy. She’s been pestering me to settle down for years now, and it’s finally going to happen. I’ve finally met the woman that I was meant to spend my life with.
“I can’t,” Pia says.
It feels like a metal door slamming shut on my hopes and dreams. I blink, all of those plans for our future disappearing before my eyes.
“What?” I mutter, in shock.
Doesn’t she feel this between us?I saw that she was interested in me. She has to want me too.
