Page 38 of Ghost on the Shore

“It was a mistake.”

She backs up a step, her features hardening into the face that’s more familiar. “A mistake? And don’t give me thatI’m too old for youbullshit because I’m the same age as her.”

“You were too young back then. I was wrong to kiss you that night.”

“And now you just don’t—”

“I don’t see you that way.”

She looks down at herself, at the tight jeans that mold to her every curve and the fitted shirt that’s got one button too many undone. “Every man sees me that way.”

She doesn’t get it. She never did. “You’re more than that, G.”

Gianna shakes her head. “If that was true then you’d give this a chance.”

“It doesn’t work like that. Sometimes you’re just drawn to someone, like it’s beyond your control.”

“And you’re drawn to Grace...Plain, quiet as a mouse Grace.”

Now I’m amused. Grace is anything but quiet, and she sure as shit isn’t plain. She’s beautiful and Gianna knows it.

“Plain? Quiet as a mouse? I thought you said she was a party girl, the queen of fraternity row.” Gianna’s face falls, and in that split second I go from being annoyed with her to feeling shitty for teasing her. “Hey,” I take one step closer and touch her cheek, “I’m sorry.”

Her eyes are pleading as moves in closer and puts her hand over mine. “I’ll wait for you, she won’t.” When I go to move my hand away she grips it. “My family loves you andIlove you, Damien. We could make a life together here.” I’m shaking my head when she says, “I’ll make you happy, I swear.”

I know it’s going to come out sounding wrong before I even say it, but the words are out of my mouth before I can stop. “Someday you’re going to meet someone. You’ll love him and he’s going to worship the ground you walk on.”

Her hand falls back down to her side. “Thanks.”

“Gianna.”

She looks around and then walks over to the coffee table when she spots her keys. “No really, thank you for letting me down easy, asshole.”

There’s nothing I can say to make this better, so I keep my trap shut.

“My mother expects you and Eli for dinner tonight, but whatever, you do you.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“It means you’ve made it pretty clear to everyone that being with her is your top priority.”

“That’s bullshit.”

With her hand on the doorknob she looks down the hallway towards Eli’s bedroom. “Is it?”

She’s gone before I can argue, not that I have anything to say in my defense.

Chapter Fourteen

Grace

“Can I come in?”

Damien looks bone tired. I stand back to let him pass, feeling miserable over the way I’ve acted. I set out to punish him for this allegiance he has to Gianna, imagined or not, and just one look at his face tells me I’ve succeeded.

“You haven’t answered my calls.”

“I thought I’d say something I’d regret if I did, so...”

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