“Just don’t fuck it up in the meantime, because I’ll never hear the end of it from Allyson,” Caydan teased. “Remember, they all talk and stick together.”
“Yeah. You’re really selling me on that marriage stuff.” Roger snorted. “Good thing you’re not in sales. You suck at it.”
“Yeah, but Allyson loves my sorry ass anyway.” Then Caydan got up and said, “I’m heading out.”
“To do what?”
“Golf, because I don’t think either of those ladies will be back anytime soon. Want to join me?”
“Sure. It’s been a long time since I’ve kicked your ass.”
Caydan shrugged. “And I don’t think today is going to change that.”
As they walked out the hotel Roger felt like a weight had been lifted from his shoulders. He’d cleared the air with his best friend and finally admitted to himself how he felt about Gia. He loved her. Now all he needed to do was find the right time to tell her.
She’s so good at research, she’s probably already figured that out too.
Chapter 13
Roger had no intention of listening to what Caydan had to say. Marriage might be good for some, but for him, he wasn’t sure. He had so much baggage he’d been avoiding. How was it fair to bring that into a relationship? It wasn’t just the loss of the other agents that haunted him, but he never talked to anyone, professional or not, about losing his parents so young.
Roger had the ability, even at a young age, to hide his pain from the world. He didn’t want that with Gia. If he wasn’t willing to be open and honest with her, how could he expect it from her?
He drove around the block for the third time. It was pathetic. He was acting like some teenage boy who was about to tell a girl he liked her. Roger knew he was making this more awkward than it needed to be. So he pulled over to the first available spot and walked a block to her apartment.
Roger hadn’t called Gia to see if she was home. For all he knew, she was out with one of the Henderson ladies, or back home checking on Andrew. Stop trying to come up with excuses. Just go and fucking knock.
As he opened the main entrance door he heard her voice calling from behind him. “Looking for me?”
He spun around to be greeted by her bright smile. “I was in the neighborhood and thought I’d stop by and say hello.”
“Hello,” she said, standing there.
This is where you invite me up. “How’s your father doing?”
“He’s good.”
“Great.” What was wrong with him? They’d spoken plenty of times; hell, they’d had amazing mind blowing sex, and now he couldn’t think of what to say?
“Roger is everything okay?” Gia asked.
“Yes, why?”
“I don’t know. Maybe it’s because you’re holding a bouquet of flowers, but not giving them to me. Unless they’re for some other woman,” she teased.
Fuck! This wasn’t going as smoothly as he’d thought. He handed her the multi colored roses. It was crazy, but the woman at the florist shop had been telling him what each color meant. When he thought of Gia, she filled each one, so he did a bouquet filled with all the colors. After he purchased them, all he could think was when did that mushy romantic guy show up?
“They’re beautiful. Thank you. Would you like to come up?
He nodded and followed her upstairs. When the door closed behind them, he watched as she put the roses in a vase. It gave him time to gather his thoughts. He was there to tell her he loved her. But he couldn’t just blurt that out. She deserved something so fucking romantic that she’d never forget it. The flowers had felt like enough. Had. Not so much now.
Roger should take her out for a nice dinner. Hire someone to come and play the violin to set the mood. And afterward, he could profess his undying love.
None of that was him. She either wanted the real Roger Patrick or she didn’t. He’d learned a long time ago, you couldn’t change a person. Thankfully he loved her just the way she was. Of course, in his eyes, she was perfect.
“Are you going to stand there all afternoon or would you like to sit?” Gia asked.
“Sorry. I have a lot on my mind,” he said as he took a seat on the couch.
“So I noticed.” He cocked a brow and she continued. “You drove past my apartment building three times. I was about to call and ask if you forgot which one was mine.”
“You saw me?” She nodded as she joined him on the couch.
Well that’s embarrassing. “I wasn’t sure you were home.”
“A phone call usually gets that answer quickly. Would you care to tell me what’s really going on?”
“I wanted to see you. We haven’t had a lot of alone time lately.”
She smiled. “You’re right. I’m working like crazy with your friends on the reunion. Which, by the way, I’ve been told to tell you, you’re going one way or another. I think they mean it too.”
He was serious when he said, “I’m not going unless it’s with you.”
“Roger Patrick, are you officially asking me out?”
Grinning he replied, “I guess I’ve done things backward, but yes, I’m asking you out.”
“I’d love to go with you.”
Roger pulled her to sit upon his lap. His mind was racing. She’d love to go with him, but love him might be a different story. There was only one way to find out that answer.
“Gia, I didn’t come here to talk about the reunion. I came here to talk about . . . us.” She didn’t say anything, only listened. His hopes that she’d make it easy on him and wrap her arms around his neck telling him she loved him didn’t happen. She’s going to make me earn this.
“You’re right. I kept driving past your place trying to figure out what to say. Damn it. I had even stopped at the store and picked out about five cards that seemed to say what I wanted. They may have been perfect, but they weren’t mine. Hell, Gia, I know there are rules to how this is done, but I don’t know any of them.”
Gia put her hand on his cheek and asked, “Roger, some things don’t have a rule book. You just need to follow your heart.”
He covered her hand with his. “Heart? Gia, that’s what I’ve been doing since the moment I saw you. No matter what I told myself, my heart continued to lead me back to you. I’ve tried to rationalize or use some sort of logic to figure this out. I can’t explain it.”
“Some things can’t be explained, only felt,” Gia said softly.
He nodded. “My rules of engagement that I utilize with every other aspect of my life, doesn’t apply here. Being with you is like giving oxygen to someone who couldn’t breathe. Everything instantly became better, easier. What I feel for you Gia . . . is more than I thought I was capable of. They are the simplest words that many utter all the time, but I have never spoken them before, until now. I love you, Gia.” He saw her green eyes glisten, and she blinked back her tears. He fought kissing them away. Roger needed her to know what she meant to him. “Gia, I love you more than three words can express and more than I can show you in a lifetime. But all I know is I want to spend my life trying.”
“Oh, Roger, I love you too. And you make me feel loved. When you showed up at the hospital and encouraged me, you showed that love. And when you went with me to my parents, I felt your love.” A tear rolled down her cheek and he brushed it away. “And if you never told me, I’d have still known because you have stolen my heart. And I don’t want it back.”
He kissed her lightly. “I promise I’ll take good care of it.”
“You better, Roger”—she looked directly into his eyes—“because my heart is fragile and it’s overflowing with love for you.”
Roger’s worries and concerns from before disappeared. He told her, but even greater, she felt the same. He claimed her lips and muttered I love you as he did. The words were said, now he wanted, no needed, to show her.
Her cell phone rang, and he pulled back briefly. “Do you need to get that?”
She nodded. “I’m sorry.”
Gia slipped off his lap and instantly he wanted her back. When she returned he could see the desire that was there a moment ago was gone.
“Is everything okay?”
“Yes. It was my mother reminding me my father has his follow-up with the cardiologist today. I’m supposed to go with them.”
Roger got up, walked over, and pulled her into his arms. “I hope we have time for one more kiss before we go.”
“We?” Gia asked.
He nodded. “Told you, Gia. A lifetime of showing you.”
“What have I done to deserve you?” she asked.
Roger teased, “Maybe it was those wild youthful years of yours.”
Gia slapped his chest lightly. “I’ll show you wild.”
He winked. “Maybe tonight when we return. Now how about that kiss?” He claimed her lips again, but this time it was different. It was a promise of what was to come.
As they parted and walked out the door Gia teased, “You know what this means, don’t you?”
That I’m the luckiest man on the planet? “No, tell me.”
“Now I have to stop by the bakery.”
“Why?”
“Because every time my father asks about you, he also asks what you’re bringing next time.”
Roger laughed. “I think chocolate cream pie.”
“I think you’re going to get a lecture from the doctor today.”
“Okay. I promise, you’re the sweetest thing I’ll bring with me.”
She turned to him and said, “That’s so corny it’s cute.”
He kissed her briefly again and added, “And true. I love you, Gia.”
“I love you too, Roger.”
Three words he knew he’d never grow tired of hearing her say. “So, scone again, I take it?”
She laughed. “How about a fruit salad?”
Roger grumbled. “So much for your father liking me.”
“True, but my mother will appreciate you even more, and I love you. What more can you want?”
Absolutely nothing.
Epilogue
Gia looked all around and couldn’t believe the Hendersons actually seemed to be having fun. It’s what she envisioned as they had gathered to plan.
“You did an amazing job,” Allyson said as she approached with two glasses of raspberry iced tea.
“We got lucky. It was a beautiful day. What I can’t understand is how all these children are still running around. I’m exhausted just watching them.” Even though none of the children where hers, she had put together some fun activities to keep them all busy. It had been nice to talk to her mother about it and get advice. She told Gia that whatever you plan, make it hands-on. No electronics either. “I have to give my mother credit too. The water balloons were a big hit.”
“Oh they were a hit all right. I’m not going to forget the look on Dean’s face when they ambushed him.”
“That’s what you get when you turn your back. Did his cell phone survive?” Gia asked. Since she was the little instigator on that, she would’ve felt bad if it had been ruined.
“I’m not sure, but Tessa said it was one way to get him to follow the rules. If you notice, none of them are on their phones any longer.” Allyson whispered. “Not even mine.”
Tessa joined them. “Did I hear my name?”
“You did,” Allyson admitted.
“Please tell me it was good.”
Gia laughed. “We were thinking you might want to take home the extra water balloons.”
Tessa grinned. “No way.” Then she pointed to a super soaker water gun that was left on the ground. “Now that is something that temps me.”
“Really? I thought you could sneak up on him better with a balloon.” Allyson said.
“Yes, but if I miss, I’m done. At least this way I’m sure to get him eventually.” Tessa laughed. “I can’t tell you how much I have missed backyard barbecues. It reminds me of home.”
“You’re not from the city either?” Gia asked.
“Nope. I was raised in a small town, much like yourself. But Boston will always hold a special place in my heart.”
Gia didn’t need to ask why. The sparkling in Tessa’s eyes when she looked at Dean said it all. If one didn’t know, you’d think they were newlyweds.
Zoey and Morgan walked over and joined them. “Are you ladies thinking what we are?” They shrugged. “We all need to think about buying homes with bigger yards. Brunch is great, but this is . . . relaxing.” They watched as Alex and Bennett chased after a few of the kids. “Well, for us at least. I honestly don’t think I’ve ever seen my brothers behave like this.” Then Zoey became very serious. “You have no idea what a gift you have given all of us. We never were allowed any of this growing up. God if something spilled or we came home dirty from playing at school, our father would have a fit. All we ever wanted was to be normal. It’s been a long road, but I think we are finally there.”
Gia looked at the mass amount of people and thought how small her family was in comparison. This was just the siblings, their children, and then a bunch of grandmothers she asked about. Allyson had tried explaining how James had eight children: six boys and two girls and each one of them had a different mother. Most of them where attending the reunion as well. It was beautiful that none seemed favored over the other.
“I didn’t do much of anything. Just tossed a few ideas around. The real magic is in all the people who showed up,” Gia said.
“I guess it’s lucky we don’t have any extended family, otherwise this might get really big really fast.”
Yeah. About that. Gia kept her mouth shut. They were all happy, and that’s all that mattered.
As they all stood watching the others play, Alex stepped to the left when he should’ve stepped to the right. Instantly a bunch of the boys tackled him to the ground. Once they knew no one was hurt, the ladies burst out laughing.
Gia realized it wasn’t the road you were on in life as much as where it leads you. From what she learned, she knew their journeys were totally different, yet here they all were, blended into one huge happy family.
Gia counted this as a blessing, to be here and witness all of it. She might not be part of the family, yet they welcomed and included her and Roger as though they were.
Brice walked over and said, “Should I be worried that you’re all plotting against me?”
“Why would you think such a thing?” Tessa asked.
“Because you all look way too happy. And with you ladies, that usually means trouble.”
Zoey snickered. “We would never do such a thing. At least not without all the others. Remember brother dear. If one of you goes down, you all go down.”
Morgan said, “Talk about going down, look at Shaun, Logan, and Roger trying to master the bicycle built for three. I probably should have my son, Tyler, go and show them how to do it before they break the thing.” As soon as she said it, the bike went one way, then the other until it tipped all the way over. “Called it,” she said as she walked away.
Brice said, “Someone once told me having kids keeps you young, but I learned with my first one, playing like they do makes it hard to walk the next day.”
“Brice, don’t become an old man before your time. You have a least another good year or two in you,” Zoey teased. Then she said, “Guess it’s my turn.” She headed toward one of the little girls who was crying while holding her knee. “Looks like it’s Band-Aid time.”
“I should probably go and rustle mine up too. That’s if I can get them to stop playing long enough to eat,” Tessa said.
“You round them up, and I’ll help serve,” Allyson offered.
Before she knew it she was standing alone with Brice. She’d never had a direct conversation with him. He seemed so . . . unapproachable. Something told her he hadn’t stayed to take in the scenery. He wanted to talk. She looked around, hoping Roger would notice and come join them. But he was too busy manning the grill with Caydan.
So small ta
lk it is. “I can’t believe how fast time goes by. Just a month ago you were counting the minutes till your baby would make her debut.”
“Things do change quickly. You seemed to have settled in nicely in your new job.”
“I’m still in the learning curve. But then again, I have a feeling this position wasn’t defined until I came aboard.” She knew Roger had something to do with that. “It seems very much in line with what Roger has been encouraging me to do.”
“How convenient.”
Isn’t it?
“I wanted to thank you for not sharing what you learned with anyone else. My family is the most important thing to me. You’re loyalty is appreciated,” Brice said.
“I gave my word to Roger I wouldn’t say anything.” Brice cocked a brow as though her point had been made. Her loyalty wasn’t to him, it was to Roger. “But I’m very fond of your family as well. I wouldn’t let anyone hurt them if I could prevent it. Brice, I do have my concerns though.”
“What are they?” he asked.
“If I was able to find this information, don’t you think someone else could too?”
“They would need to be looking. We have spent years since my father’s death looking for what was going to hit us next. Do I think this will stay quiet forever? No. But I hope it waits long enough for us to enjoy this. We need a hell of a lot more of it.”
Gia didn’t know all of what their past had been. She didn’t want to either. One secret was enough for her. “Then why don’t you go and enjoy it? Monday comes fast enough, and we’ll all be back to the grind.”
Brice chuckled. “Funny, that’s usually my line. Looks like Roger is abandoning Caydan so I better go help out before those burgers burn.”
Gia wasn’t alone very long before Roger joined her. “I never thought I’d get you alone.”
“I was thinking the same thing. How did you escape cooking detail?”
He pulled her into his arms and said, “Simple, Brice was here, and I told Caydan you needed saving.”
She looked up at him and said, “At a family party? What did you think he was going to do? Besides, I have a feeling his bark is much worse than his bite.”
Nine Rules of Engagement (Barrington Billionaire's Series Book 9) Page 17
