Page 18 of The Wrong Move

They’ll kill each other by the end of the trip.

“Are you coming, Byron?” Franklin asks.

“And start a war? No, thank you.”

Usually, I would be disappointed in not being named on the team. Not this time.

Giana is home, and I have something to prove that’s not on a basketball court.

5

GIANA

Mom restsa hand on my shoulder as she places a glass of iced tea on the wooden table in front of me, then sits beside me. “What are your plans for today?”

“Painting. I’m creating more pieces to send to Isabella for their spring designs.”

“I’m so proud of you, Gigi.” Mom squeezes my hand. Her smile reaches her eyes, and the lines deepen at the corners. “I’m proud you chased your dream and didn’t give up.”

“I almost did, many times.” I sigh. “I wanted to come home. Not speaking the language and the loneliness got to me. But I’m glad I stayed.” I squeeze her hand. “And I’m also glad to be home. While I told myself it’s for a few months to see you both, it’s going to be a struggle to leave.”

My father’s dementia is progressing. While Mom manages Dad at home, we are discussing their options for the future. It breaks my heart to see him not himself some days.

It’s one of the reasons I came back.

I missed my family.

I missed my home.

While I enjoyed my adventure and advancing my career in Italy, I needed to come home. It’s where my heart is.

Mom glances at the glass doors. On the other side, my father putters in the garden. He loves being outside. Always did. When the gardener came on the weekends, Dad would follow him around, observing and learning. He nurtures every plant.

“While I understand you wanting to see your father…” her eyes glisten with emotion. “… you can’t put your career on hold.”

My mother is so brave. “I appreciate you saying that. Lucky for me, I can work anywhere in the world. If I continue with Isabella, I’ll travel back and forth if that’s what it takes to keep my contract. I might be gone for a couple of months at a time, but at least home can be my base.”

“Gigi…”

“And with the studio upstairs, I have everything I need.” I smile at her. “Today, I’m going to work outside while Dad is in the garden. Watching him warms my heart, and your flowers inspired my lines for the last designs.”

Mom swipes a tear. “When I saw the poppies on the model’s dress, I wondered if they were from our garden.”

“Oh, Mom. I draw so much inspiration from home. It’s why I wanted to come back.”

Her gaze meets mine. “And having your heart broken doesn’t help.”

“No.” I let out a long sigh. “But I didn’t love Dante. He was a source of affection, security, and comfort. For a while, I thought I loved him, but looking back, I was neverin lovewith him.”

“Have you ever been in love with someone? Do you have something to compare your emotions to?”

I take a sip of my iced tea while gathering my thoughts. “No. Although it wasn’t how I imagined it to be.” There was a time Ithought I was in love with Byron, as I had all those feelings of love, even at seventeen. I’m never this way with anyone else. But Byron didn’t give me the security and passion Dante did. Byron and I didn’t last long enough to discover if our love would thrive.

My cell vibrates with a message.Byron.My heart thuds hard. Is it a coincidence he is also thinking of me?

Do you have any plans today? I would love to see you.

I quickly tap out a reply.

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