Page 39 of Pitiful Lies

“Excuse me, s-sorry,” he mumbles and mutters as he races out of the store,

Giselle turns to me.

“What happened there?”

“Nothing. Jimmy needed some job counseling,” I tell her, shrugging my shoulders.

“I see,” she replies, and she looks like she’s fighting a grin.

So fucking perfect.

“Are you ready?” I ask, moving closer, breathing her in.

She always smells so good.

“Yeah, um, thanks,” she says, handing me back my credit card, and I take the shopping bag from her.

“You didn’t have to do that. I have my own money,” she says, probably for the tenth time.

“I know you do.”

“Then why’d you pay for that?”

“Cause I wanted to,” I answer, placing my hand on the small of her back as we walk to the parking garage.

The trip to Nico’s house takes another fifteen minutes, and Giselle sits quietly. I wonder if I did something wrong, but I push that thought away.

Doubting myself won’t help me get her, so I need to focus on what I know and what I can control. I want Giselle. I need this woman in my life. And I want her to know I’m serious.

Whatever she needs to get there, I am going to provide it.

“Wow! Is this it?” she says, her eyes going wide.

The house is big, and yeah, it’s nice. The cul de sac is quiet and safe, and I should know, I mean, I did all the security myself.

“Yeah. Wait for me.”

I open the door for her. Her eyes are still on the house as I take her hand and pull her until she is standing. Her soft body meets mine in a whisper of a touch that sends shivers down my spine.

Visions of her by my side, us returning from some trip to our house, our home, fill my head, and fuck, I have never wanted anything as badly as I want that.

That vision, That dream. Me and her, together.

“Come on, Koukla,” I whisper, taking her hand and leading her to the door.

Inside, she’s whisked away from me in a frenzy of womanly squeals, hugs, and tears.

“’Sup,” Luc greets me with a nod.

Apparently, Maria had to be a part of this reunion of friends. They’re set up in the living room, and Mrs. Pirillo, Nico’s longtime housekeeper walks in with the man of the hour, Junior, in her arms.

“Oh my God, Anna! He is perfect!”

Giselle covers her mouth, big tears running down her face. All three women are crying, and Nico and Luc look just as alarmed as I do. But then Sisi turns her head, catching me staring, and she does something I don’t expect.

She smiles. It’s wide and bright and it’s all for me. Then she mouths thank you as she moves to take the baby.

Thank you.

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