A piece of my heart cracks for my sister, knowing she still hurts.
“Everything happens for a reason,” Giana says gently. “I know the pain, but you’ll be stronger for it. For now, I think you’re meant to be right where you are… the CEO and the face of the LA Sharks. You’re good at what you do. Keep your eyes open, and when you least expect it, love will hit you smack in the face.”
Charlotte gives Giana a quick hug. “I hope so. It will be the only time I’d welcome a broken nose.”
“Is that what happened to us?”
She places a hand on my shoulder. “You came at me so fast?—”
“Like a wrecking ball,” Charlotte finishes, and they laugh.
I’ll take it as a compliment, especially if it makes my sister smile. Charlotte gives a gentle punch to my shoulder and works her way over to Jobe.
Giana curls into me, then leans back and holds my gaze.
I reach for her body, bracketing her waist and rubbing her hip bones with my thumbs. “I know that look.”
“What look?” Her voice is sweet and smooth like honey.
“The one where you want to take me out back and fuck me,” I murmur against her lips.
“Clearly, you don’t know me,” she says in carefully spaced words.What?“Because I was about to tell you I love you.”
A rush of adrenaline tingles through my body. It takes my breath away, and I’m stuck for words. “Finally,” I murmur, unable to hide the huge grin growing on my lips. We got our special moment, and I wasn’t expecting it at all.
Three months later…
Instead of diningat Blooms for a date as promised, I surprise Giana by taking her in the helicopter along with my instructor to Downtown LA. My instructor speaks to me as we fly toward the helipad of Hendricks Capital Management building. Since Frank is owner and CEO of HCM, he leases the lower floors to other businesses. When the first-floor business vacated, he spoke to Jobe about leasing it. Instead, I bought the entire floor from my brother as an investment.
“It’s going to take a while for me to get used to this,” Giana shouts. “But I love it. The view is sensational.”
“It is.” Her excitement has me grinning all while maintaining my focus and listening to the instructor. A set down surrounded by skyscrapers has adrenaline pumping through my veins.
“Where are we landing?”
“On the HCM building.”
“Are we visiting Franklin?”
The instructor’s voice cuts in for the vertical landing set down.
We balance out, descend slowly, slower until we have set down. “I’ll see you next week,” I say to my instructor, spring out of the side door, take Giana’s hand, and help her down. Bent over, we run, her hand blowing over her face with the force of wind from the blades whipping around our bodies. Inside the doors, she flings her arms around me. “That was exhilarating.” She leans into me and kisses me. “Thank you.”
“No, thank you,” I murmur against her lips.
“For what?”
“Trusting me.” My voice cracks as my words are not only for today. “For giving me another chance.” Her gaze flicks over my face, and before she can say anything, I take her hand and lead her to the elevator.
“Why are we here?” she whispers.
I grin, thinking about her reaction. “It’s a surprise.”
“For Franklin or me?”
“You.” We are not visiting Franklin. The elevator door opens. The three-month renovation has proved to be the best impulsive decision I ever made. Stepping forward, I squeeze her hand as we walk into a foyer where a chandelier hangs above us.
“What is this?” she asks, her head turning back and forth, taking in the room.