I head over to the club after work with Eva on the promise that Blu isn’t there. She called Cree especially to check before I’d agree because the last person I want to see is him. It’s been a week since our kiss and I’ve not seen or heard from him. It seems to be a growing trend with the men in my life.
Malia greets me with a hug, and even Diesel, Leia’s dog, seems excited to see me. “Guess what,” says Malia.
“What?”
“Me and Molly are bestest friends,” she states proudly and points over her shoulder to where Molly is sitting watching the large screen television.
I glance at Eva, who groans. “I forgot to tell you,” she whispers. “Molly and Hannah are staying at the club until everything is resolved.”
My eyes almost bug out of my head. “That’s very important information, Eva,” I hiss.
“I know,” she mutters with a grimace. “Sorry.”
“That’s exciting, Malia,” I say with a smile. “How’s Ziggy taking the news?”
“He got real mad and won’t speak to me,” says Malia, sighing. “But Mummy said he’s stubborn like his daddy and I should just ignore him.”
I laugh. “Sounds like some good advice.”
She fits her little hand in mine and pulls me towards the couch. “Read us a story. I have a new book about Princess Jasmine. I think she looks like you.”
I end up reading the story twice because Malia is too adorable to say no to. I have a kid on each side of me and eventually Ziggy gives in to his mood and also joins us. I miss being around these kids. At home, there are no kids.
“I’m Hannah,” says a polite voice. I look up into the gorgeous face of Blu’s ex and she’s stunning, the kind of woman you know gets out of bed looking good without a scrap of makeup. I can see what Blu saw in her, and I’m sure together, they look amazing.
“Gianna,” I say, smiling.
“I’ve heard some great things about you,” she says, taking a seat on the opposite couch.
I’d like to say the same about her, but I’ve heard nothing apart from the fact she’s pregnant. “Congratulations on the pregnancy,” I say.
“Thanks. Still early stages. Did Blu tell you?” she asks, and I nod. “Usually he doesn’t open up about his private business,” she says with a smile. She isn’t saying it in a bitchy way, more like she’s surprised.
“Gia’s special to me,” comes Blu’s voice and my heart threatens to beat out of my chest.
“Girls, let’s go and see what Frankie is cooking up for dinner,” says Hannah and the kids jump up to follow her. It bothers me that she seems so comfortable here. Blu sits next to me.
“No ring yet?” he asks, taking my hand and examining my ringless finger.
“I told you, Ric’s in Italy.”
“He should have rushed back to get that ring on your finger, stop someone else putting one there,” he mutters.
“Hannah’s here,” I say, changing the subject. I try to free my hand, but he keeps hold of it.
He nods. “In your old room. Handy to have them right next door,” he says, his eyes fixed on mine, no doubt looking for my reaction. “I’m working on a solution,” he adds. “One that pleases everyone, including Vinn.”
“What are you talking about?”
He puts his hand in his pocket. “You’re not ready to accept it yet and I get that, but it ain’t gonna stop me from putting it there just so the image is burnt to my brain. I need that image to keep me going.” I frown when he pushes something onto my ring finger and then gasp when he moves his hand away to reveal a square cut diamond set in white gold. “I know it can’t stay there, but I wanted you to see how serious I am. You’re mine, Gia. You’re not marrying Ricardo.”
I stare down at the beautiful ring. It’s exactly the sort of ring I’d have chosen for myself. “I listened to all those things you wanted. When I was meant to be watching over Eva at your office, I was taking mental notes of the things you want,” he explains.
“Blu, what are you doing?” I whisper. “This is crazy.”
“I know what I want and that's you. Until the time is right, I’ll keep hold of this,” he says, removing the ring. I feel the loss immediately. My finger suddenly looks bare. Then his lips press to mine and I’m so shocked by all of this that I don’t bother to push him away because for once, I listen to my body, and right now, it wants him.
His words from our previous dalliance break through the fog and I pull back, my eyes narrowing. “Did you think I’d forgotten? What was it you called me? A mafia princess?”
“I was pissed. I don’t take rejection well,” he says with a hopeful smile.
“And I don’t take fools easily. I am marrying Ric, no matter what you say. And even if I wasn’t, after the way you treated me, I’ll never marry you.”
BLU
“She’s going to save me,” I say, and I feel Blade’s eyes burning into the side of my head. “Sometimes someone comes into your life and you realise that everyone before them was nothing that you thought. It’s how I feel about her, brother. Everyone else pales in comparison. She’s gonna save me. Gianna, the woman who saved Blu.”
“You sound fuckin’ crazy,” mutters Blade, biting hard into a thick strawberry liquorice twist. In the quietness of the van, it rings out and I glare at him in annoyance. “Want one?” he asks, holding out a packet. I shake my head, rolling my eyes.
“I’m crazy in love.” I smirk.
“In the words of fuckin’ Beyoncé,” says Blade, shaking his head. “Fuck’s sake.”
“You should try it,” I say. “It feels good.”
“Aren’t you
