Page 60 of Always a Chance
Johnny was still beside me, waiting for my answer just as much as Gianna was. I bent down to be at eye level with her. “Gigi, if anyone could keep me here, it would be you.”
“But…” Gianna said.
“But I’ve worked really hard to get to where I am in New York.” If my publication kept me, that was.
To my surprise, she didn’t cry. Instead, a smile tilted her lips. “Okay, but you have to come home more.”
I kissed the top of her head. “I will. I promise.”
The memories that had kept me away no longer haunted me. Instead, they fueled me to be better, to do better.
Johnny pulled me back against his chest and said, “Waffles, anyone?”
“Absolutely.” Gianna grinned.
I turned in his arms. “And he makes waffles now too? Johnny Kelly, where have you been all my life?”
He yanked me closer, his lips grazing my ear. “Right here. Waiting for you to come home.”
I couldn’t not kiss him after that.
Gianna made a gagging noise, and Johnny stepped away. “All right, waffles. Gigi, I need a sous chef.”
“On it, boss.” She steered herself toward the lower portion of the kitchen counter that had been put there for her. Johnny set all the ingredients in front of her, and the two of them worked in sync.
“It’s like they’ve done this before.” I sat across from Felina at the table.
She smiled kindly. “They have. Johnny is over here quite often. Sometimes, I think he’s needed her just as much as she’s always needed him.”
I hadn’t known. How much he hurt, how much pain my sister was in. I escaped what happened, started a new life far from Gulf City. But they stayed and dealt with their emotions, with the past.
I focused on Johnny, the graceful movements of his arms as he whisked the ingredients together. Did returning to my life mean leaving him behind?
Once the waffles were done, Johnny and Gianna joined us at the table. Johnny pressed a kiss to my cheek as he sat down and passed me a plate. I met his gaze, wondering how I was supposed to survive breaking this man again.
I stood when someone knocked on the door. Pulling it open, I found Mrs. Kelly, all celebration melted from her face. “Mrs. Kelly, hi. Do you want to join us for breakfast?”
“Mom?” Johnny stepped up behind me. “Did you need me for something?”
Her lips drew tight. “Talia, a young man came to my door looking for you. I told him he had the wrong address.” She stepped aside, revealing a familiar face.
“Barrett?”
28
JOHNNY
“Barrett?”
For a second, I’d hoped my mom was wrong and no one was looking for Talia. But then, he was there, a suave-looking city slicker in a sports jacket and slacks. He removed his sunglasses.
“Surprise.”
Talia threw herself into his arms. “What are you doing here?”
He grinned down at her, a perfect toothpaste commercial grin. “You did say you wished I was here. I can work from anywhere, so I thought I’d come to check out this town you’ve told me almost nothing about.”
“Who are you?” Gianna wheeled past me, her lips twisted into a scowl. “Whatever you’re selling, we don’t want any.”
