The CEO, the Puppy and Me

“Nate needs the actual journal to run some tests on. He might need to remove a page or two.”

For the briefest moment, Gia hesitated. She worried her bottom lip. It was her mother’s final words. If anything happened to it, she’d be miserable. But her siblings had given their blessings for her to do with the journal what was necessary to locate her biological father. Maybe the risk was worth it.

“Okay. Do it,” she said in a rushed breath before she could take it back.

Ric arched a brow. “I know how protective you are of your mother’s journal. Are you sure? I don’t know exactly what he’s going to do with it.”

“I’m sure.” She wasn’t. Not really. But her mother used to say, nothing ventured, nothing gained. “It’s back at your place.”

“Can you leave now? Nate has some time this afternoon.”

“I...uh, yes. Just let me have a word with the contractor.”

“I’ll meet you at the car.”

“Sounds like a plan.”

Gia thought of the scratched-out lines in her mother’s journal. She’d always wondered if her mother regretted what she’d written. Or had she been afraid that someone else would read it?

Either way, this was it. She was certain they were going to get some answers now.

* * *

No matter the results...

Everything was about to change.

Ric wanted Gia to find her biological father and learn the answers to all her questions. And yet there was another part of him that didn’t want her journey to end—not yet.

He was just getting used to sharing his apartment with her. And then there was the puppy. Who’d have thought he was a dog person, but he was. If it hadn’t been for Gia, he’d have never figured that out.

He’d also learned that he enjoyed having someone to share morning coffee with. Not just anyone, Gia. She was talkative at all the right times. And when he just needed some companionable silence, she seemed to recognize that and leave him to his thoughts.

After stopping by the apartment for Gia to clean up and grab the journal, they headed off to the other side of the island. The trip was quiet as each was lost in their own thoughts.

What would happen when she learned the true identity of her father? She would leave. There would be no reason for her to stay. Sure, there was the villa to finish remodeling, but her plans were already written down. There was no reason someone else couldn’t follow them. There would be no pressing reason for her to remain. And that thought dampened Ric’s mood.

He parked at a research facility and followed his friend’s instructions to the fifth floor where they were to meet Nate in the lobby. Ric checked the time. They were a few minutes early.

He told himself it would be good to get back to his solitary life. He could work as late as he liked. He could get up whenever he liked, but then again, he never slept in, no matter how late he worked. He wouldn’t have to eat on a schedule. He could walk around his apartment in as little clothing as he liked—

“Are you sure Nate said to meet him here?” Gia’s voice interrupted his thoughts.

“Um, yes, he did.”

Just then Nate, a tall lanky man with sandy blond hair, rounded the corner. His gaze met Ric’s. “Sorry to keep you waiting.” He kept moving until he stopped in front of Gia. He held his hand out to her. “Gia, at last we meet. I’m Nate, and it’s a pleasure to finally meet you in person.”

“It’s nice to meet you too.” She flashed him a brilliant smile.

Was it Ric’s imagination or did Nate hold Gia’s hand longer than necessary? And the way he was smiling at her, it was like he was flirting with her. Who could blame him? Gia was a knockout. But they were here to get some work done.

Ric cleared his throat and stepped closer. Gia pulled her hand back, but her face was flushed and she was still smiling. Why didn’t she act like that around him?

“We should get to work,” Ric said, wanting to move this along.

“Right. This way.” Nate led them down a hallway and up a flight of steps. “I have a friend with a lab and some special equipment that should help us uncover what’s crossed out in your mother’s journal.” Just outside the lab, Nate turned to her. “You do realize this might be a futile effort. This might not lead to any clues about your biological father.”

“I understand.” Gia had a certainty in her eyes. “But I have to do whatever is necessary.”