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It cut into Marti’s bottom line, and although I tried to make it up to her by offering her money to cover the lost revenue that afternoon, she wouldn’t accept it.
“I’m Kelly.” She sighs. “My daughter is named Romy. She’s a few years younger than you and follows all your socials. I don’t know why I’m telling you this.”
I reach for her hand and squeeze it. “It’s nice to meet you, Kelly, and please give Romy my best.”
With her bottom lip trembling, she looks into my eyes. “I will, Gina.”
Sensing she needs it as much as I do, I take her in for a quick embrace. “I need to go, but I hope your homecoming is good.”
She doesn’t say anything but pulls back with a brisk nod.
“All set, Gina?” Daniel is suddenly beside me, his deep voice luring Kelly’s attention away from me.
“I’m Kelly Bires.” She offers a hand to Daniel.
“Daniel Lawton.” He takes her hand for a brief shake.
“Daniel is my brother’s best friend,” I say before he can explain our connection.
I trust him not to reveal our marital status to anyone, but I don’t want there to be any online speculation about me dating anyone.
Her gaze volleys between the two of us. “It was nice to meet you both. I’ll let you be. I can’t wait to show Romy the picture of us.”
I watch as she takes off, pulling her rolling suitcase behind her.
“Are you always like that with your fans?”
I glance at Daniel as I answer his question, “They’re followers, and I try to be kind. It takes courage to approach someone you don’t know in the middle of an airport.”
“It takes just as much courage to be that gracious with a complete stranger. This is another example of how brave you are.”
I run a hand over my forehead and whisper, “And foolish. I married you, and now you’re moving in with me.”
Not missing a beat, he leans close enough that I can feel his breath rush over my cheek. “I’m going to carry my bride over the threshold when we get home.”
I try to bite back a smile. “There is no chance in hell of that happening.”
CHAPTERSEVENTEEN
Daniel
I followGina into her apartment, marveling at how she’s kept her cool since we left the airport.
We shared a car with Dominick and Arietta. Gina asked the driver to drop me off here alone so she could go to the hospital with her brother and his fiancée.
Arietta shut that plan down when she insisted that Gina go home with me. She explained that although she appreciated the support, she knew her grandfather wouldn’t be in the mood for visitors beyond her and Dominick.
The expression on Gina’s face was priceless, but she begrudgingly agreed to get out of the car in front of her building.
“When I saw you board the airplane, I assumed you’d be heading home as soon as we landed,” she says, dropping her keys on her dining room table.
“I live in California, Gina,” I say evenly, trying to tame the amusement in my tone. “I suppose if I set out on foot now, I’ll make it there in…”
“Daniel,” she interrupts me. “I’m talking about your apartment in the West Village. Dominick told me at the airport that you sold it.”
When she finally spins around to look at me, I stare into her eyes. “I sold it before I left town.”
Her hands drop to her hips. “I had no idea.”
