Page 53 of Sincerely Not Yours

“Well, what’d he say?” Alice said, eyes wide as saucers.

“I just about died while you read that!” Paige’s mouth was open. “Please, don’t make us wait a second longer!”

Nonna sat at the table, her hands pressed together in anticipation. “Mia Bella, what did the letter say?”

Gigi glanced back at Harris’s penmanship, at every swoop and dot that he’d penned for her. And Nonna’s advice echoed in her ear—forgiveness is an important part of love.

Maybe it was time to stop letting her fears dictate her decisions. Maybe it was time to follow her heart, instead of run from it. Deep down, she wanted Harris in her life, which meant she had to trust herself enough to take a chance. Hearing Harris out could be that chance.

She looked up again. “He wants me to meet him at the ball.”

Chapter Twenty-Six

Harris stood in the courtyard, staring at the grand fountain, which was chiseled from ice. He focused on the swirl and carve of each wave, the smooth of molded dolphins, all while trying to wrangle his anxiety. In the towering ice castle behind him, the Christmas Ball was in full swing. Music and laughter filtered out through the arched, open entrance, but the only thing Harris cared about was seeing Gigi’s beautiful face.

With a deep breath, he blew out his worries, letting them steam through the frosty night air. What if she didn’t come? What if he’d irrevocably screwed up the best relationship he’d ever had?

Anticipation stabbed him in the gut. Since Gigi left him staring aimlessly at the closed elevator, Harris couldn’t stop thinking of her and every special moment they’d shared. The way she smiled at him, the warmth of her touch, the joy in her eyes. He couldn’tlisten to a Christmas song or eat a single bite of food without wondering what she was doing, or if she might forgive him.

Tonight was his chance to make things right, to tell her everything he’d been feeling, to convince her to give him a second chance. But as the minutes ticked by, Harris’s heart sank further and further. Maybe she wasn’t coming after all. Maybe she’d read his letter and tossed it in the trash. Maybe he’d blown it.

Turning from the fountain, he scanned the courtyard again, chastising himself for not going to her apartment in person, for banking on the fact that she’d show up at his request. Shaking his head in disappointment, Harris’s gut twisted at the idea of losing her forever. But then, out of the corner of his eye, he caught movement. He turned and his breath caught in his throat.

Gigi walked through the entrance to the courtyard, looking like a Christmas miracle. She’d chosen the red velvet gown with the billowing skirt, and seeing it on her now, Harris couldn’t imagine a more perfect choice. A white faux fur shawl covered her shoulders, and her hair fell in loose curls, framing her face and classic beauty. Under the moonlight and stars, she looked like an angel.

Harris started toward her, trying to steady his breathing and steps, to calm the pounding of his heart. When he finally reached her, he offered his hand. Her warm, soft touch glided into his, and Harris’s stomach scattered to pieces.

“Gigi, you look stunning. Absolutely breathtaking,” he whispered, knowing he couldn’t describe with words how beautiful she was. “Thank you for meeting me tonight.”

A soft smile touched her red lips. “I wanted to hear what you had to say.”

Harris took a breath, his emotions swirling within him like a snowstorm. “Gigi, I need you to know I truly appreciate yourbrilliance and passion. I can’t say that enough. I believe in you, in everything you can achieve, with anything you set your mind to.” Harris searched her eyes for signs of hope. “Did you read both proposals I sent you?”

She nodded. “I did.”

“I wanted you to see for yourself what I laid out for my father. I need to make it known beyond any doubt that you alone changed my mind about SheTime. You deserve to run that division, and we should support you with a budget and team that matches your talent. I truly hope my father sees the light and does just that.”

“I appreciate you saying that,” she said, before pressing her lips together, looking like she was grinding over what he’d said. “But I realized something very important while I was reading through your proposal.”

His heart slowed to a stop. “What’s that?”

“I expected to be recognized without ever really asserting my worth.”

Harris tilted his head, listening intently. “What do you mean?”

Gigi took a deep breath, gathering her thoughts. “Reading your proposal made me realize that I’ve been waiting for someone else to validate my contributions. I’ve been playing it safe, hoping Kim or Dean or Mr. Ryan would notice my value and reward me for it. But I can’t rely on others to fight my battles for me. And that includes you.” Her gaze was steady and determined. “I appreciate your support. I really do. But I reached out to Mr. Ryan and told him I need an appointment right after I’m back from Christmas vacation. I’m going to ask for the director position myself, along with the salary I know I deserve. It needs to come from my mouth, Harris. I want it to.”

Harris felt a rush of admiration for the woman standing before him, looking every bit the queen she was. “Gigi, that’s incredible.I’m so proud of you for making that decision, and for asking for what you want. You deserve that and so much more.”

“I have some questions for you too.”

“I want to give you answers.”

She stepped closer, her hand tightening around his, and he wanted to pull her into his chest. “Are you leaving Ryan & Ryan? Going back to New York?”

“I’m leaving the family business,” Harris confirmed, and his heart jerked as Gigi’s face fell. “Dad and I had a talk late last night. I told him we need to work on our relationship instead of the business. Until we can iron out our differences, it’s best to keep work and family separate. He actually agreed and said he’d move forward with handing the business over to Dean.”

Gigi sighed, her eyes crinkling in sadness. “I’m happy for Dean, but I was hoping you’d stay.”

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