Page 8 of The Sweet Life

Gia appreciated Flynn coming to her defense. She wondered if it had anything to do with his personal feelings about the book. He’d obviously play a starring role in her sister’s memoir.

“It’s not about Cami appearing onGood Morning, Sunshine!to promote the book. It’s about me playing her in the movie.” Willow’s voice dropped to almost a whisper on the last five words, so Gia had to strain to hear them.

She wished she hadn’t. She couldn’t believe Cami would ask this of Willow or that Willow would agree without a word to her. Maybe she was overreacting, but Gia felt betrayed at the idea of the daughter she’d loved and raised since the day she was born portraying Cami, the mother who’d abandoned her. They hadn’t announced that Flynn and Cami were Willow’s biological parents, but word had gotten around Sunshine Bay, and it hadn’t been easy for Gia. The release of the book andmovie would make it so much worse. “Why? Why didn’t you mention this to me?”

“Seriously? Do you even have to ask, Mom? It’s not like you hide your feelings about Cami. I knew how you’d—”

Gia cut her off. “This isn’t the time or the place.”

She didn’t need Willow talking about this with Cami standing only a few yards away. She didn’t relish her daughter airing their dirty laundry in front of Flynn either. Then again, Cami intended to put it out there for all the world to see, so it was only a matter of time. It wasn’t as if anyone asked how Gia felt about the unhappiest times of her life being shown on the big screen.

“You’re right, it’s not,” Willow agreed. “And I wish I could cancel but I can’t. Hugh has only a small window. I have to make a decision today, and he wants me to read for him.”

Gia bit back a snarky comment about how many people were doing their meetings via Zoom these days when a puffy-eyed Sage approached with Jake at her side.

Gia immediately forgot her anger and walked to Jake. She hugged him. “I’m so sorry for your loss.”

“Thanks, Ms. Rosetti.”

“Gia, please,” she said as she stepped back, reaching for Sage’s hand. She gave it a comforting squeeze before reluctantly releasing it.

Willow introduced Flynn to Jake, and father and daughter offered him their condolences. “I’m sorry for your loss, Sage,” Flynn added with a gentle smile.

“Thanks.” Sage returned his smile with a small one of her own. She’d given her sister’s father her stamp of approval when she’d met him last summer. It was a bigger deal than Carmengiving Flynn hers. These days, Sage’s opinion of most men was even lower than her grandmother’s.

“Why don’t you come to the restaurant? I’ll feed you. Both of you,” Gia said. “You should stay the night, honey. I don’t want you to be alone.”

“Thanks, Mom, but Jake and I are going to stay at the farm tonight and go through the boxes Alice…” Sage shook her head, looking away as she sniffed back tears. Her daughter hated showing her emotions. Though she hadn’t always been as closed off as she was now.

Gia thought it had something to do with her job. Sage had to listen without reacting when some of the women she represented recounted horrific stories of abuse. Her daughter didn’t only represent the wives of Boston’s rich and famous; she also did pro bono work for a women’s shelter.

Gia reached for Sage’s hand to comfort her, but Jake beat her to it. Wrapping an arm around her daughter’s shoulders, he drew her against his side. “We appreciate the offer, Gia, but knowing Alice, she left detailed instructions for us to follow in the event of her death.”

“Of course. I’ll bring you a lasagna…” She caught Sage and Jake’s shared glance and half smiles that seemed to be directed at her offer of a lasagna, so Gia added, “Pizza? Whatever you want.”

“We appreciate the offer, Mom. But I don’t think either of us feels like eating.”

At the hint of a smile on her daughter’s face, Gia said, “Oh, okay then.”

“Really, Mom?”

“Well, what was I supposed to think?” Gia glanced at Flynn,who’d tucked his hands in his jeans pockets and was grinning down at his sneakers.

“Not that,” Sage said, narrowing her eyes at Jake, who’d made a low sound of amusement in his throat.

Sage elbowed him, and he lifted a shoulder at her before saying, “Don’t worry about us, Gia. What your daughter and I really need is a good, stiff drink.”

“A bottle would be better,” Sage murmured.

“I’ve got you covered.” One of SBPD’s officers called his name, and Jake glanced over his shoulder. “Sorry. I need to get over there.”

“I’ll come with you.” Sage gave Gia and Willow each a quick hug before walking away with Jake.

“Call me if you need anything,” Gia called after her daughter, who raised her hand in acknowledgment. Gia’s shoulders slumped as she watched the couple walk away.

“I should get going too.” Willow hugged Gia and Flynn before turning away. She held up her phone. “Cami, we have to go.”

It was all Gia could do to hold back tears.

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