Page 70 of Love Like Lightning

“Yeah, I did.” Fuck, if I’m honest with myself, I think I loved her from the start. “That’s why I’m so fucking worked up, Ian. When I found out that the woman I love had been dishonest with me, that pissed me off. And I’m not going to just ignore it, either. Can you think of any time that you’ve felt like that? Hmm?” The subtle dig doesn’t go unnoticed. He’s sworn up and down that his friendship with Elena is platonic, but the way he acts around her, the way he acts when her boyfriend is even mentioned, says differently.

And he knows it.

He flinches and looks away. His jaw clenches, and I watch as a dark cloud descends over him. Seeing him feel so deeply and not even talk about it hurts like a knife twisting sharply in my own ribs.

“Hey, I’m sorry. That wasn’t fair. Don’t even listen to me.” I try to take back my words, but it doesn't help. “I am going to go talk to Gia, though. I’m not letting this be the end of things between us.”

“Whatever man, if you get your feelings more hurt than they clearly already are, that’s on you.”

As much as it would suck if that happens, I’m willing to risk it. And one day, I hope my brother will be too.

As I walk down the block, I’m glad I threw on my hoodie. I probably should’ve grabbed a jacket. I didn’t realize just how late it is, but I’m still hoping Gia will be awake. It’s not quite midnight, but I’m probably pushing it.

I consider using the main entrance at the bed and breakfast for half a second before I decide to try Gia’s private entrance. Stepping through the little gate, I walk to the door and knock twice.

I can see through the blinds that there are no lights on. I know better, but I knock one more time, a little louder. “Gia, are you awake?”

I stand there and wait for a moment. When it becomes clear that she won’t answer, I drop my head to the door, ignoring the sting of the cold against my forehead.

“Henry?”

A man’s voice saying my name out in the dark isn’t the most comforting thing. Especially at midnight. Turning away from the door, I see a tall shadowy figure standing just outside the little fenced-in area that I’m currently inhabiting.

“Yeah?” I wanted to talk to Gia before, but now I’m just wishing she had flipped on her little porch light, so maybe I could see who’s blocking my only exit.

A deep sigh floats into the night, and the figure turns to the side. One of the streetlamps catches his profile. I immediately recognize the guy from the meeting last night. The handsome one that Mack hated. Cam, I think his name was.

“She’s not here. Come on over.” He doesn’t wait for a response before he starts walking and, for some reason, I follow him.

He leads me into another little gated-off front yard and through the door of what must be his room. It’s a mirror image of Gia’s.

Only his is immaculate. It almost looks like he just checked in, although I don’t even see his bags anywhere. A cursory look confirms that he’s clearly the complete opposite of Gia when it comes to how he keeps his space.

Meaning we have something in common.

I wish it annoyed me more, but just being in a space that’s neat and tidy settles my nerves. She’s not here. And we really need to talk.

“Have a seat. Want a drink?” Cam heads to the small mini fridge and glances back at me. He’s still wearing a suit despite how late it is.

“I’m fine, thanks.” Sitting in one of the low-backed chairs off to the side of the room, I briefly close my eyes. “Where’s Gia?”

“Back east.” He pulls a Sam Adams out of the fridge and cracks it open.

My chest hollows out, and I flinch as my brain goes into overdrive. Did last night send her running? It sounded like this was going to be a pretty long-term project for her and Cam, so why isn’t she here? And why does it seem like he doesn’t care?

Why haven’t you looked at your goddamn phone all day?

“Her Nonna’s birthday. I don’t have details.” Cam pins me with a long look over the rim of his beer before taking a hearty pull.

“Oh. Okay. Right, yeah, I remember her telling me about that.” The relief of realizing that this was a pre-planned trip hits me, and my body eases.

“So.” He looks at me, and his eyes bore straight through me. His mouth is pinched.

For a second, I can’t tell what his deal is. But then it becomes clear as day that he’s sizing me up.

But for what?

“So?”

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