Page 50 of Secret Match
Her mother’s sweet-like-pie voice then asked, “Did you fall in love with that man, Kiwi?”
Her skin zapped like she’d been caught stealing a cookie so she crossed her arms. “And if I did?”
“Find a way to stay yourself and be happy with him, my girl.”
Kiwi’s eyes widened. Something had happened to her mother. She adjusted the tight waist on her dress. “You didn’t tell me to be strong and independent this time.”
“You brought him home and the flowers he sends to me daily are lovely. All my friends are impressed. Your father never did anything like this for me, your grandmother or even you. I thought men who sent flowers were just the stuff of fairy tales.”
“Glad you like them.” She hung up the phone. At least her mom was reliable but she’d had no idea Gio had sent her mother flowers.
No one was around. She headed upstairs for that shower and to wait. She made it to the bedroom and stared at the bed she’d shared with Gio.
She wished he was back. She took her phone out of her pocketbook and dialed the number the maid gave her. No one answered. She closed her eyes and decided something else. She quickly texted him.Gio, it’s Kiwi. I’m at your villa. I never should have left. I’m sorry. Please call me back.
Once she hit send, she heard a second ding. She went to the dresser and saw his phone lying there. The light flashed that he had messages—hers.
At least she knew why he hadn’t answered her—he’d forgotten his phone. She took the extra charger and plugged hers in and then headed into the shower.
The solitude in this villa was eerie after all of the company. She ignored the sensation and headed into the bathroom. The warm water running against her skin relaxed her muscles.
Night set outside the window and she could see the moon in the sky as she let herself out of the bathroom and into clean cotton shorts and a shirt for bed.
As she returned to the bedroom, Gio was picking up his phone. His eyes widened when he saw her and asked, “Kiwi?”
Every nerve in her body wanted to throw her arms around him and hold him tight as she stood in her light cotton purple pajama set. Instead she came so close she could smell his cedar aftershave. “Gio, I don’t want to lose you.”
She stared up at him waiting for any response.
He put his phone back down but didn’t reach for her. “We went to the airport to say goodbye to my family.”
All the Morgans were gone? Including Serenity. All except the only one that mattered. She met Gio’s gaze and wished he’d say more, but she then turned around and glanced around the room. “Where is Tom?”
He pointed toward the door. “He’s in his nursery in the next room.”
She took another step toward him and could feel the heat of his body through his clothes. Her own body heated as a result though she only said, “I thought you were going too?”
He took her hand and a familiar spark bloomed as he said, “My staff said you were here so we came home.”
Did this mean he forgave her? She ignored the beat in her heart and asked, “Can I see him?”
He took a step back and the sense of loss was tangible. Her lips had lingered for his kiss though she hadn’t tried. Instead he walked her toward the door. “Yes. Of course. But why did you come back?”
She stopped him. She pressed her hands on his shoulders and had him face her again. This time she needed to tell him. “Because I realized I made a huge mistake. I read the suicide note-”
“About her suicide and cancer?” he interrupted her.
“Right.” She’d chosen the wrong words to lead with. She leaned closer and said, “I only really focused on her belief that you would have married Piper to get your son.”
His lips tightened. She held still as he said, “I never asked her to marry me. I have only asked you.”
“Because I’m pregnant?” If he only wanted her because of their daughter then she’d be broken. She loved him. Did he love her too? She just stared at him and wondered. And she shouldn’t hold back. She needed to tell him.
He took her hands in his. “No, because you make me happy.”
Happy was good but she needed more. They both deserved it all. This was her only shot at telling him her truth, but it was better to ask everything now. She tilted her head. “Would you have married Piper?”
He held the door for her like walking together wasn’t a big deal as he asked, “Do you want the truth or a lie?”
