Page 73 of Lodged

“You’re right. And as excited as I am about going out with him, I wonder if maybe I was seeing someone before the accident. What if I’m cheating on someone by going out with Gio?” I say quietly. I’d hate to hurt someone’s feelings like that.

Rain’s face turns serious. “If you were dating someone, don’t you think they would have been here since you woke from the coma? I think you should forget about the past and enjoy the present.” A bolt of electricity runs through me as I imagine going out with Gio.

“Where is he taking you?” Rain asks, and I feel butterflies take flight in my belly just at the thought of spending time alone with him.

“He only said we needed the entire day, and to wear something warm,” I tell her, and Rain wiggles her eyebrows at me. “Don’t look at me like that. I don’t think I’m ready for more than a kiss.”

She hugs me as she speaks again, “I think that man is in no rush. He only wants to spend time with you.” I wonder how she is so sure about it, but I don’t ask. I just enjoy having my sister being my number-one cheerleader.

“So, Ruin has a date,” Rain shares with the family at breakfast the next morning, and my eyes shoot daggers at her.

“Is that so? Who’s the guy, and when can I talk to him?” River says, and Miles raises his hand.

“I’ll go with you to speak with him, Riv. We need to make sure he knows he can’t mess with Ruin.” Miles cracks his knuckles, and I roll my eyes.

“You guys know I’m twenty-four, right?”

“We know, darling. But is it smart to go out with someone?” Mama asks

“What do you mean? It’s not like I’m mentally ill, Mama,” I say in a defensive tone, and Mama sighs.

“We just want to make sure you’re being safe, Ruru. We just don’t want you to get hurt,” Miles says in a serious tone. I know they mean well, but I’m tired of being cocooned under their wing. Plus, Gio is the nicest guy I’ve ever met.

“She’ll be fine. Rain and I can vouch for the guy. He’s a regular at the diner.” Granny speaks up, and everyone turns to look at her.

“How come I’ve never seen him?” Mama asks, a smile appearing on her face.

“He comes for dinner every night, Mama. You’re long gone by then.”

“I’d feel better if I had a chance to talk to him. Where does he work?” River says, and I know he’s not going to let this go easily.

“He works at the community college. He’s working on developing a new curriculum.” I share what Gio told me the other day, pride filling my chest.

“Well, at least he sounds smart. He couldn’t be that bad, Riv,” Miles says with a shrug as he takes a bite of his breakfast. River releases a deep breath.

“Fine, but I still want to meet him at some point,” River says as he continues to eat. I shoot a pointed look at Rain, and she just shrugs.

“What? You can’t blame them for looking after you. And I’m just so excited you’re going out, Ruru,” she says in a more playful tone. I can’t help but feel giddy about it, too.

Gio asked if it was okay to pick me up at home. Even though I wanted to avoid the awkwardness of him meeting my brothers, I said yes because it’s better to get that out of the way. He’s here at ten in the morning, on the dot, and when I open the door, he has three beautiful flower bouquets in hand.

“Good morning,” he says with a bright smile.

“Morning, Gio,” I tell him as I gesture for him to come inside.

“These are for you.” He gives me the largest bouquet of the three, a stunning mix of daisies, sunflowers, roses, chrysanthemums, magnolias, and mums.

“It’s a sunset bouquet. It reminded me of your hair,” Gio says as I take in all the gorgeous shades of orange and red.

“It’s beautiful, thank you.” I raise onto my tiptoes and give him a kiss on the cheek. I immediately regret it as my ankle screams in pain. Someone clears their throat behind me, and I know my brothers are here.

“You must be Gio,” River says as he extends his hand.

“I am. Nice to meet you,” Gio says, and River shakes his hand but doesn’t tell him his name. A silent conversation passes between them, but I don’t think too hard about it; I know River is just measuring Gio up.

“This is my brother River, and this is Miles.” Gio gives me a grateful smile as he removes his hand from River’s and shakes Miles’ hand.

“Nice to meet you both,” Gio says, and an awkward silence falls upon us.

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