Page 14 of One Sweet Day is Never Enough

He sighed, his shoulders slumping. “That’s what I thought—friend zone.” He forced a smile. “It’s okay. I had to give it a shot.”

Gia wrapped her arms around his middle and squeezed. She heard him inhale the scent of the jasmine shampoo in her hair and she felt him return the squeeze. “Aw, honey, any girl would be lucky to have you. I mean, look at you.” She pulled back and squeezed his bicep playfully. “You’re gorgeous. You’re smart. You’re funny, and you’re sweet. It’s only a matter of time before someone swoops in and—”

“—I know, I know.” Tom sighed and pulled her in again. “You don’t have to…”

“I wish things were different, but I—” Gia murmured.

“Shh…I get it.” He held her tightly, his chin resting in the locks of her hair.

Tom was exactly the kind of nice guy she should be dating. But she just didn’t get any butterflies with Tom. He was more like the big brother she’d always wanted.

“Okay. Thanks,” Gia said. “I’m sorry, I just had to be honest with you.” She adored Tom, just—like he said—not in that way.

“I know, and that’s exactly why I like you. You’re a good person. You deserve to be treated like it.” He held her a little longer before he stepped back. “All right, well, you know where to find me if you change your mind, okay?”

Gia let out a breath. “Okay.”

Tom opened the car door for her.

“Thanks.”

“You betcha,” he said dryly.

Gia gave him an apologetic look and slid inside. She turned on the engine then rolled down the window.

“If this guy breaks your heart, so help me…” He smiled.

“Don’t even…” Gia cast him a wistful smile.

Tom laughed and waved as she backed out of the parking spot. “I’ll talk to you soon.”

She blew him a kiss. “Soon.”

Gia drove off, her thoughts stirring.

Most guys she’d dated in the past had taken advantage of her generous, easy-going, and trusting nature, going behind her back with other girls or simply putting her last on their list of priorities. Too many had taken whatever warmth she’d offered and then left her in their dust. Men had trampled all over her more times than she cared to admit.

But not anymore. She was much more judicious now. She’d stopped being so trusting, so spineless and naïve, and so far, it was working.

---