Page 81 of That First Night
“How are you feeling, Gigi?” I meet her at the railing and lean on it next to her.
She doesn't answer my question and remains silent for a moment. Looking at the ocean and taking in the moonlight reflecting on the water. She breaks the silence as she stares out at the water and says, “I know it’s been you.”
“I…” I stutter as confusion takes over. “What do you mean?”
“I know it’s been you.” She turns her head to look at me, finally. “You’ve been having groceries, care packages and my medical stuff delivered to my house.”
Fuck. How did she know?
“I’m sorry if I overstepped.” I turn to look out into the ocean. “I care about anyone who Peyton cares about.”
“You care about her, huh?”
“I do, Gigi. More than I’ve ever cared for another woman that isn’t a family member,” I admit. I pause as I continue to stare at the ocean. A weird sinking feeling hits my gut and my heart rate starts to pick up. My chest aches as I admit out loud, “I think I’m falling in love with her.”
“Tommy boy.” She laughs. “You’re already there.”
My head snaps to her. “Huh?”
“You don’tthinkyou’re falling in love with her.” She laughs. “You’re already head over heels in love with her.”
I shake my head and let out a small laugh with her.
“Don’t try to deny it, sweetheart. Listen.” She places her hand on mine that’s resting on the railing. I feel her cold frail hand on mine and it sends an uneasy feeling down my spine. “I have known Peyton her entire life. She might not say it to you, but I know she loves you too.”
“How can you be so sure?”
“I see the way she looks at you. I see the way you look at her.” She lifts a brow. “Did you think I didn’t notice you staring at only her during our little card game back in there? I’ve had my eyes on you, Tommy boy.”
“She’s beautiful, Gigi.” I smile in her direction. “How can I not stare at her?”
“Oh, I know.” She laughs. “She’s the most beautiful person I know. Inside and out. It’s what makes me so nervous about the future. She doesn’t deserve it.”
My stomach drops at her admission. “What do you mean?”
“Don’t play dumb, Tommy boy. I’m not doing well. I put on a really good front, and I hide my pain well so that I don’t let on to the fact that I’ve been having some really bad days. Today was one of my worst, lately. Your family welcoming me here and being surrounded by laughter has brought me so much joy though. I can’t thank you enough for putting a permanent smile on my face.”
“Does she know?” I swallow the lump in my throat. “Does Peyton know how sick you really are?”
“She knows that I’m sick, but I leave out the rest. She’s been through a lot the last year and a half.”
“What do you mean?”
“You know, with her parents dying last year.”
My heart drops to the deep parts of my stomach and I feel a horrible queasiness take over. She never told me the reason she moved or that her parents died. “I…” I feel a lump in my throat and tears pool in the corners of my eye. “I had no idea, Gigi.”
“Wait,” she pauses as shock takes over her face. “She never told you?”
“She didn’t.” I shake my head. “I just assumed she moved here to be closer to Kali and Avery.”
“She did.” She nods. “She lost everything, Tommy. When they passed, she fought so hard to keep their house. For almost a year. Finally, she had to sell the house, the car, and everything. She moved in with the girls with nothing to her name but those naughty books she reads. You’ve helped her in more ways than one,” she adds.
“How?”
“Listen,” she pauses as she lets out a small cough and catches her breath. “I shouldn’t be telling you any of this. I feel bad enough because it’s her business. But when you gave her a chance on this job, it helped her get her feet on the ground. Before you…” She wipes a small tear from her eye. “So many people have walked all over her, men included.” Anger boils in my blood at her admission. “They treated her like shit, used her and tossed her to the curb.” Now I’m ready to murder anyone who’s ever been with her. I clench my teeth together as she continues. “You, Tommy boy, are nothing like them. I’ve been blessed to watch Peyton come into her own person since you. Her confidence is blossoming. She’s found herself. I can tell she’s the happiest she’s ever been. You did that.” She pokes my chest and laughs. “You brought her back to life.”
I swallow another lump that’s lodged in my throat. “She’s changed me, Gigi.”
