The CEO, the Puppy and Me

The best thing he could do for her was to get them home. He grabbed his phone from his pocket and texted his pilot, letting him know to ready the plane for a return trip. In the meantime, he’d just quietly wait for Gia to speak—if she’d let him in.

When the car pulled to a stop in front of their hotel, Ric joined her off to the side of the large glass doors leading to the lobby. Gia stopped there as though lost in her thoughts. It was only then in the bright Italian sunlight that he noticed the ghostly pallor of her face.

He moved in close to her, in case she wanted to lean

on him or needed a hug. But he didn’t make the first move. He didn’t want to do anything that would cause her more stress.

“Don’t worry,” he said. “I contacted the pilot. He’ll have the plane ready to go just as soon as you’re ready to leave.”

Gia nodded but didn’t say a word. He wasn’t sure if she really heard him. She was stunned and disappointed. Who could blame her?

She entered the hotel and headed straight for the elevator. On the way up to their suite, her phone dinged. She pulled it from her purse and checked the screen.

She turned to him. “We can’t leave. Not before dinner.”

Just then the elevator beeped as it reached their floor and the door slid open. All the while, Ric couldn’t help but wonder what had changed. Why would she want to stay? There was no way that man had changed his mind about getting to know Gia. It was totally his loss, as she was the most amazing person. Just her smile was enough to brighten up the world—at least, his world.

Ric used his keycard to let them in the suite. “Is there something you need to do before we leave?”

She nodded. “I’d like to meet an old family friend for dinner.”

His gaze searched hers. She looked worn out and defeated. “Are you sure that’s a good idea? Maybe another time would be better.”

She shook her head. “I’m fine. You were right. I shouldn’t have gotten my hopes up.”

“I’m sorry. I never wanted to be wrong more in my life.”

“I know.” She sent him a smile, but it never reached her big beautiful eyes. “I’m just going to answer some emails and stuff until dinner.”

“But what about lunch?”

She shook her head. “I’m not hungry.”

“I’ll order extra just in case you change your mind.”

She was already walking away, leaving him alone with his thoughts. People seemed to think that having a lot of money could fix all of life’s problems, but he’d be the first to attest that it couldn’t. If it could, he’d give up his fortune to give Gia the family she wanted.

Being helpless was not a position he was familiar with. Usually there was something he could do—a plan to follow, a person to hire. But in this case, he had no choice but to sit by while Gia dealt with yet another big blow. First, her parents lied to her about her conception, and then that horrible man rejected her without even taking time to know anything about her. Life was not fair.

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

THEIR VISIT TO Rome hadn’t worked out for her.

But that didn’t mean it couldn’t work out for Ric.

Because as disappointed as she was, Gia wanted Ric to find a good home for his program. She wanted his dreams to come to fruition for him, for herself—to reassure herself that sometimes dreams really did come true—and for all of the people it would help.

As they waited at the restaurant table for her friend, who’d texted to let her know he was running a few minutes late, Ric leaned toward her. “We don’t have to do this. Not tonight.”

“I’m okay.” When Ric sent her a disbelieving look, she added, “I don’t regret tracking that man down. And I don’t regret meeting him.”

“Even though he was an insufferable jerk?”

She nodded. “I now understand why my parents felt it was best to keep me from knowing about him. He’s not a nice man—not someone I want in my life. And so my parents did what they felt best because...” Her voice cracked with emotion. “Because they both loved me.”

“I didn’t know them, but from everything you’ve said and after knowing their amazing daughter, I believe they loved you with all their hearts.”

Tears sprang to her eyes. She blinked them away, not wanting to make a show in public. “For the first time since they unexpectedly died, I’m no longer angry with them. I didn’t realize until now just how angry I was with them for leaving me. I know the accident wasn’t their fault and they in no way wanted to leave, but I was just so angry of being robbed of their presence in my life that I think I projected all that grief and anger into the secret of my conception. It was easier to be angry with them for keeping a secret than to be angry because they died.”