Page 71 of Love Like Lightning

“That was a shitshow last night.”

His gruff bluntness throws me off so much I laugh. “Yeah, it was.”

“Your family is something else.” He cocks his head to the side, assessing me. “I really am here to help, but I’m not about to defend my presence, or Gianna’s to you.”

“I’m not asking you to, man. I get it, and I trust my parents' judgment when it comes to their business.”

He raises his eyebrows and lets out a sharp breath. “That’s a relief. Your sister clearly doesn’t share the same sentiment.”

“She’ll probably take a little longer to warm up to your presence, but she actually works with my parents, so that’s probably why. You’re not encroaching on my territory.”

“I’m not—” He stops, exasperated. “This isn’t what I wanted to talk about.”

“What did you want to talk about?” I’m still not entirely sure why I’m in this guy's room.

“I just wanted to let you know that Gia takes her job seriously, probably too seriously sometimes, although I’m not going to tell her that. When we first arrived, your parents asked us to keep the work we were doing private, especially from you and your siblings. She took that ask to heart, despite her feelings for you. She was going to tell you today. I shouldn’t even be getting involved, but she deserves a second chance.”

“She should have just told me to begin with. I don’t even work with my parents.” I let my frustration come out with my words.

“Yeah, well, she didn’t. Just…don’t hold it against her too much. She really likes you.” Despite his gruffness, he seems to really care about Gia.

“Well, I love her, so I really hope that’s true. We need to talk, that’s for sure.”

“Did you say you love Gia?” He clears his throat, his body relaxes back into his chair, and a thoughtful look crosses his face.

“Ahhh.” I shift in my chair, suddenly aware that I may have said more than I planned. “I don’t know if it would be right to tell someone who isn’t her that information first…”

“I love her too,” he tells me and quickly throws up a hand when he sees me ready to respond. “Not like that. And not that I would ever confirm that I said it, either. I’m her boss, technically. But she’s a special person. She deserves all the good in the world for what she does, how she helps me help people. Honestly, she’s one of the best people I know.”

I pause for a second, eyeing his upheld hand before speaking. Once he drops the hand, I take a breath. “Okay. I don’t disagree with any of that. Well, except maybe that she deserves to know that you love her, in whatever capacity you do.” I mean it, too. Would I say it if I thought that he was in love with her, the way I am? Yeah, probably not, but I believe him when he says that it’s not like that.

“I know I have to talk this out with her. You don’t have to explain anything. I’ll sort it out with Gia when she comes back,” I reassure him even as a stab of unease settles into my stomach. “You don’t think things are too screwed up, do you?”

I don’t know why I’m asking him. I don’t even know if he has the answer. But he’s as good as it gets right now. It’s not like my own brother was any help.

He looks at me for a long minute, then downs the rest of his beer. “I think that if two people want to make things work, they will.” He nods once, stands, and walks over to drop the empty can into the small recycling bin next to the mini fridge. “And for the record, I know she has an army of cousins who would beat your ass if you ever hurt her, so just keep that in mind.”

With that, he quickly says goodbye and ushers me outside. I start my short but cold walk home. Cam’s not-so-subtle threat lingers at the back of my mind, but stronger than that is the resolve to fix things with Gia.

I don’t know how, or what, we’re really going to do about what happened, but there’s no one else I’d rather figure things out with.

I just really hope that she feels the same.

30

Gianna

Party time.

With my family, it’s always a huge to-do, but with this being Nonna’s ninetieth birthday, it’s even bigger than usual. My parents rented one of our favorite Italian places out in Newton where Nonna lives, and we’re currently waiting for the guest of honor.

My cousin Leo went to pick her up once everything was set up. Luckily, we didn’t have to provide too much food. Yeah, you’d think we wouldn’t have to worry about food at all since we’re at a restaurant, but while most of the menu was approved by Nonna, there are a couple of things that my mother has to make. Like eggplant parmesan, even though this restaurant has a perfectly acceptable one.

Things have been so busy this morning that I’ve had almost no time to think about the mess waiting for me back in Colorado. After our margaritas last night, I decided to hand my phone over to Simone and go tech free until tomorrow so I can try not to obsess over waiting to hear from Henry.

Well, maybe just until tonight after the party.

“Gianna, baby, have I told you how much I love this dress on you?” My Nonna comes up next to me, taking my hand in hers.

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