Page 69 of Lodged

What? Could it be Ruin?

“Good morning, I’ll be right over. Thank you,” I say as I hang up and quickly throw on a fresh T-shirt and my jeans from last night. I wish I had had more time to get ready—if it’s Ruin, I don’t want her to see me like I just woke up.

When I enter the lobby, a beautiful redhead is waiting for me. She’s wearing tight jeans and a Rustic Spoon T-shirt like the one Ruin was wearing last night, but it fits her much tighter. She has a full sleeve of tattoos on her right arm, and her eyes are gray. It's raining.

“Oh, wow. It’s really you,” she says in a stern tone.

“Hmmm, I’m sorry. I don’t follow,” I tell her in a hushed tone; I can feel Miss Callie looking at us with rapt attention.

“Would you like to take a walk with me? I promise I’m not a creep.” I nod and tell her I’ll be right back—I just need to put on some shoes.

As I make my way to my room. Rain says, “And don’t get any ideas in your head, Callie. I know how the grapevine works in this town, and I’m not interested in Mr. Bianchi in that way.” I can only imagine the face Miss Callie gave her because I can hear her chuckle all the way to my room.

“Okay, so what’s going on?” I ask once we’re out of the hotel, skipping the pleasantries. She blushes and extends her hand, and I shake it.

“That’s exactly my question, Gio. What’s going on? What are you doing here?” As nice as I am, I’m ready to tell Rain what’s what.

“I came for Ruin. It’s been six months.” I shrug like it’s obvious why I’m here. She puts her hands in her pockets and raises her shoulders to her head as she inhales a deep breath.

“First of all, yes I know it’s been six months, but we had a deal. We can’t overwhelm Ruin with her memories.” She gives me a pointed look, but I’m not going away, not this time.

“I’m not here to overwhelm her, I just want her to get to know me again.” Rain’s eyebrows raise almost comically, but I refrain from laughing. I don’t want her to tear me a new one.

“Yeah, that’s what I’m worried about. She mentioned meeting a handsome guy yesterday, and I knew it had to be you.” Rain shoots me a glare, and I trip over my own foot.

Ruin said she met a handsome guy?

“So, I didn’t imagine it. She truly didn’t recognize me; she still has amnesia,” I say more to myself, but Rain nods.

“Yes, Gio. I don’t want her to stall in her recovery process. You need to give her space,” Rain says solemnly, and I feel like I’ve been stabbed. I can’t give Ruin more space without being near her.

“I’m sorry, Rain, but that won’t be possible. I promise I won’t mention anything about our past, but I want another shot. I’ll start slow, I won’t push for anything, but I want to be in her life again. If I have to make her fall in love with me again, so be it.”

Rain doesn’t say or do anything. She simply stares at me.

“Okay, I know how much you love her, and I know she loved you. I’ll allow you back into her life, but Gio, I’ll be watching,” she tells me, her face void of emotion, and I nod.

“Deal.” I reply, though I would do it regardless of whether Rain approved or not.

“You came back.” Ruin greets me as I enter the Rustic Spoon. Her smile illuminates her face and is contagious. I’m smiling big at her; there’s nothing I wouldn’t do to see that smile every single day.

“I told you I would.” She leads me to the same table as yesterday.

“Here’s the menu. Can I get you some water in the meantime?” I nod as she makes her way to check on other tables. I’m not sure how long it would take me to get used to the fact that I know how she tastes, and she doesn’t even remember me, but I need to play my part.

When she returns, she has a glass of water on her tray for me. Even though all I want to do is pull her close, have her sit beside me, and tell me everything I’ve missed in these past six months, I can’t. Instead, I thank her and order the platter she recommended yesterday.

She gives me a pained smile, and I frown. “Oh, it’s nothing. Some days my ankle hurts more than others, I’ll be fine,” she says casually as she goes into the kitchen, but I can’t help noticing her limping. My blood boils at the fact that she’s working full shifts on her feet while still recovering. I need to find a way to make her share the details of her accident so I can offer my help.

“Here you go. I hope you enjoy it. Let me know if there’s anything else I can get for you.” She brings me a huge plate of food, and my stomach immediately growls. I close my eyes as I feel the heat rising through my face. Her chuckle does something to my insides, but I know we’re not there yet.

“Thank you, this looks delicious,” I say. She stays in front of me, hugging the tray close to her chest, her eyes fixed on mine as she bites her bottom lip.

I gaze at her. She’s so beautiful it hurts. God, how was I able to live without her?

“Would you like to sit down?” I ask her, and she looks around the diner. She smiles and then sits.

“There’s not too many people here. I think it’ll be okay if I take a five-minute break,” she says, her eyes never leaving mine. “This might sound awkward, and I apologize in advance, but I need to ask you something,” Ruin says, exhaling slowly.

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