Page 21 of Save Me
“No, but he will always be there for you. That man is more loyal than a honeybee to his queen.” She peers at me. “Did you tell him yet?—”
“No.” I can’t imagine he’ll bemorepleased with Ronan when he finds out. Skye and Rebel said they thought they’d have to form a barrier when Ronanstrolled past them yesterday, his clothing sopping wet. And the look Frank gave me after was priceless—half amusement, half disappointment. I’m not ready to be judged by him, or anyone, yet. “You’re the only person I’ve told. Ronan doesn’t even know yet.”
“That hotel director. He’s the father?”
“Yes. It’s his.” Saying it out loud feels wrong. I shouldn’t be telling others when he doesn’t even know. But this is Gigi. She trumps all.
“When are you going to tell him?”
“I don’t know if I will. We don’t really have that kind of relationship.”
“Ah … I see.” Her eyes twinkle with amusement. Gigi was a heartbreaker in her day. There was never any shortage of admirers, her spunkiness drawing them in like cats to a sun spot, but she was never willing to settle down. She pauses. “Do youwantthat kind of relationship with him?”
I’m shaking my head, but the denial is stuck in my throat. I don’t know the answer anymore. I’m still sure he’s all wrong for me, but what if he’s not? If what he said was true, he can handle a relationship. He’s looking for one. “I really don’t know, Gigi. I don’t know anything anymore.”
“Well, like I always say, a good, hard test will let you know quickly if you should waste your time with this hotel man.”
“You mean like an accidental pregnancy?” I chuckle. “He’s going to run for the hills.”
“Then he can stay up there with the rest of the chickens.You’ll do just fine without him.” She waves her hand dismissively.
She always makes things sound easier than they are. Then again, at her age, she’s seen and done a lot, and lived through a lot, always coming out on the other side.
“There’s also the thing about Mom. Her cancer? She was thirty-one when she died.”
“No need to remind me, dear.” A dark cloud passes across her face before it’s gone in the next instant.
Gigi was stoic about Mom’s passing.We can’t control these things.It was just her time,she’d tell me. But sometimes, late at night, I’d hear her crying.
“What if it’s hereditary?” My checkups have always come back clear, but that doesn’t mean the next one will. My doctor suggested genetic testing and to not wait too long to have children, in case the worst case happens and I’m facing treatments and surgeries. “What ifthisis my shot?”
“It’s fair of you to consider that. It’s a worry.” She nods in agreement. “But I don’t recommend making big decisions based on what-ifs. Better to have solid footing.”
The last thing I have is solid footing. “Please don’t say anything. I’m not ready for people to know. Not until I’ve figured out what I’m doing about this giant mistake.”
“It’s no one’s business until you’re ready to make it theirs.” She reaches out to squeeze my knee. “And it may be a mistake, but that doesn’t mean it won’t also lead into a wonderful thing. My marriage was a colossal disaster, but I got your mother out of it. She fell for an idiot, but we all got you out of it.” Her face lights up. “For what it’s worth, you’ll make a wonderful mother, Sloane.”
Her validation brings me a wave of comfort I didn’t know I needed. “You really think so?”
“Of course I do. I’ve always thought so. And, selfishly, I hope I get to see it happen. Butonlyif you’re ready. The good thing is you have some time to get ready if that’s the path you decide to take.”
I let out a huge sigh of relief. My problem isn’t solved, but Gigi always knows just what to say to lift the weight off my chest, even if only temporarily. “Ronan invited me to dinner tonight.”
“Well, that’s a good start.”
I give her a knowing look. “At the hotel, with his boss, who doesn’t know Ronan is inviting me.”
“You mean, Henry Wolf?” She hoots. “This Ronan fellow may be handsome, but he doesn’t seem too bright.”
“Yeah, I don’t know what he’s thinking, honestly. But it gets better, Gigi. Henry warned him to stay away from me because of all the problems I caused. And now Ronan wants to bring me there, even though Henry Wolf will probably fire him for cavorting with the enemy.”
“Let’s pray the child gets your brains.” She breaks off a chunk of her macadamia scone. “Did Ronan say why he wants to bring you into the lion’s den, so to speak?”
“Just that he wants them to get to know me. He doesn’t seem to like Henry, but he’s good friends with Abbi Wolf, Henry’s wife. It’s her he wants me to meet.”
“Introducing you to his friends. That says something.”
“I guess.” You don’t introduce the new woman to your close female friends if she’s just a casual fuck. Is this Ronan’s way of proving he has feelings for me?
