Page 36 of And Everything In Between

“He’s good,” she said. “Better. I can breathe again. Thank you for asking.”

Giovanni nodded. “Let me know if y’all need anything. Home dialysis, another doctor, a better setup. Whatever gives you some peace.”

Paige glanced at him. Not surprised by the offer, but by how calm he was about it. Nothing he rattled off was cheap or a quick fix. She wasn’t even calling the man back, and he was still offering to help her and give her a break.

“I mean that,” he added. “I know you handle things. You always will. But handling it all alone will drain you. We don’t need that now, do we?”

“No, we don’t. I’m trying, though.”

“I know. You wouldn’t be here if you weren’t. One day at a time,” he said, pulling her behind him, their hands still joined.

People greeted him as they passed, head nods, daps, and a few quick words were shared depending on who he was talking to. This was how it was anytime she was around him. He was the people’s champ. And she loved that he wasn’t cocky about it. It showed the nature of his heart. She smiled to herself, thinking of how rare it was and how she didn’t know if this was a cruel joke or if Giovanni was her twin flame.

They found seats near the front of the risers, close enough to see every move on the strip. But also giving them privacy. Paige sat sitting between his legs and getting settled. His arms rested across her thighs; hands busy opening chips she’d handed him. She cracked open her Calypso and took a slow sip. It felt natural. Like this was their weekend tradition.

He dipped his head near her ear, close but not crowding her. Engines roared. Tires screeched. The crowd buzzed with energy, but Paige barely noticed. Giovanni’s presence lingered closely as he pointed out drivers, explained details she never would’ve cared about on her own. But his voice, low, patient, a little proud, made her listen. He loved this, and she loved it for him. She also appreciated him granting her access to his space… again.

“You know this ain’t my scene,” she said after a while. “But I’m glad you asked me to come.”

Giovanni leaned in, chin almost resting on her shoulder. “I figured, and I’m glad you said yes again.”

“Did I say yes?” she asked, glancing at him over her shoulder with a smirk.

He nudged her chin up with his fingers until her eyes met his. “Shh. I’m glad I caught you. That’s all that matters.”

She didn’t respond. Just popped a Milk Dud into her mouth and turned her attention back to the strip. But her thoughts weren’t on the cars. They were on him.

His hand still lingered on her thigh. His weight behind her made her feel safe. She couldn’t figure out how he made her feel this content with him. Her mother’s car show suggestion had brought him into focus, but since then, he kept showing up. She had half a mind to ask if he was tracking her location, but she didn’t.

“I know what you’re doing,” she murmured.

Giovanni chuckled behind her, eating a Starburst. “Yeah? What’s that?”

“Showing up too much. Making it too easy. Trying to make me soft and fall in love with you.”

“You already soft,” he said into her neck. “You just don’t show it. Next.”

She turned to catch his expression. “You sure about that?”

“Absolutely. I seen it,” he uttered sliding his hand between her thighs resting just before her reached the softest place on earth. “You forget, I was there. That first night. That morning. You let me take care of you. That wasn’t a front.”

Silence wrapped around them again. She gulped and thought she’d melt. That was starting to happen a lot. He’d leave her breathless and speechless, say the right things. And then another brick would fall.

“I ain’t gon misuse that softness. Let me in.”

Then a red Mustang launched down the strip, the crowd erupting. Paige leaned back into him without thinking, head resting beneath his chin.

“I’m scared,” she said quietly.

Giovanni didn't flinch. Didn't ask why. Didn't ask what he could do. He knew what she needed. Consistency was a love language he spoke fluently. While other men rushed to fix or explain away fear, Giovanni understood that some wounds needed intentional presence more than empty solutions. So, he simply held her, his silence a sanctuary, his arms a fortress. Each moment he stayed it became another brick in the foundation he was building beneath her feet, solid ground where she could finally feel safe enough to be still.

Giovanni's hand moved, fingers sliding along her collarbone before coming to rest at the base of her throat. His thumb traced the arch of her neck, tilting her face upward to meet his gaze. Time slowed as he closed in, the space between them sizzling like a hot plate. His lips, still damp from his drink, found hers with perfect precision.

She yielded instantly, her mouth opening to welcome the slow, confident exploration of his tongue. When he finally pulled back, the look in his eyes had shifted - something possessive now dwelled there. He was feeling things he had no business feeling about a woman he barely knew. Here he was, Giovanni Dowlen,kissing her in public, letting his guard down, abandoning his usual restraint. This wasn't him, and yet it felt more authentic than anything he'd done in years.

“I got you,” he mouthed. “Even if you don’t call me tomorrow. Even if you send me to therapy or church.”

He laughed softly and shook his head at her.

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