Page 83 of Unraveling Rain
I laugh, loud and full, and Rain joins me.
“No offense, Xander,” Blair says sheepishly.
I wave her off. “None taken. It was funny.”
Rain turns to Blair. “Are you sure it’s okay for me to leave?”
Blair waves her off dramatically. “Yes, Chef. Go. Enjoy the fair with your beau.”
Rain salutes her and turns back to me, lifting a finger to let me know to wait for her.
She darts to the food area and returns a minute later with two turkey legs and a pair of berry lemonades.
“Wanna walk around while we eat?” she asks, handing me the food.
“Let me pay first, please,” I say, reaching for my wallet.
Rain shakes her head and smiles. “Gio sponsors every festival in town.”
I let out a low whistle, my brows rising. “Seriously?”
“Oh yeah. He not only built this place, but he also pays for all the food, attractions… you name it.”
She bites into the turkey, and we start walking.
“He has a financial advisor—Penny. Have you met her yet?” she asks, glancing at me.
“I did,” I say with a nod.
Rain continues, “Well, Penny is in charge of organizing the booths. Businesses submit estimates for supplies, and she transfers the funds. We do the rest.”
I take a big bite of my turkey. It’s delicious—crispy skin and moist meat. “And you guys donate the labor?”
“I’ve offered a couple of times, but Gio refuses. We all get paid to work the fair, though.”
Damn. A billionaire with a heart.
“That’s amazing.”
“Yeah. Gio has been beyond generous with everyone in town. Minx?” She pauses, making sure I’m following. “He originally bought her for a date with my sister. When Ruin moved in with him, I asked to buy Minx, but he just transferred the title over to me.”
Speak of the devil—Gio and Ruin are pushing a double stroller toward the dunk tank. A small crowd gathers around them, people stopping Gio to shake his hand like he’s a local celebrity.
“He’s like royalty around here,” I say.
Rain chuckles. “No kidding. Poor Gio hates being in the spotlight, but when you have a big heart in a small town, it’s hard not to stand out.”
Ruin catches sight of us and lights up. She gently excuses herself and hurries over.
“Hey, guys. Fancy seeing you out of the booth,” she teases, raising her brow behind her sunglasses.
Rain groans. “Oh, stop it.”
I chuckle as I lift my chin to greet Gio, and he does the same.
Ruin isn’t letting her sister off the hook. “No, no. This is payback, Raindrop. Remember when you gave me shit for leaving you alone in the booth to walk the fair with Gio? How does it feel now?”
Rain sips her lemonade and sighs. “Fine, you win. It’s nice to be able to walk the fair with someone. Happy?”
