Chapter 26 Gia
TWENTY-SIX
GIA
Gia and Aurora went to a café along the riverfront. Had Gia known the riverfront was so close to her condo? Had she even known a river ran through this neighborhood? No and no. But she forgave herself for not exploring until now.
Not having to look over your shoulder changed everything.
Gia meant what she’d said about not being worried about Franco’s men.
She had no interest in taking over Franco’s empire, so they had no reason to come for her, even if they were foolish enough to go against the very weapon Franco had used to intimidate everyone around him. Marc could take over if he wanted.
A pang settled in Gia’s gut at the thought of her brother. Would he return to Ashton Lakes?
Viv had confirmed his mind had been altered. Not as extensively as Gia’s, but there had been a tangle of commands and manipulations spanning fifteen years—as long as Franco had been a vampire.
Gia would have to catch up with Marc and see what he wanted to do now that he was free, but not today. The sun was heating up, and Gia was on her second coffee, Aurora on her third as she worked on a second plate of pancakes.
Nothing should interrupt such perfection.
Aurora had another bite. “I think I might pop, but it’ll be worth it.”
Gia smiled like a smitten fool. She couldn’t get over how vibrant Aurora was. She’d been lovely as a ghost, but the full color, solid version of Aurora was magnificent.
Her hair was a sandy blonde, her cheeks a soft pink, and her nose dotted with freckles. She moved differently, too, no longer eerily graceful, and all the more alluring for it.
She was more alive than any person Gia had ever met. If they weren’t in public, she didn’t think she could resist pulling Aurora close and exploring every inch of her soft skin.
Would Aurora like that? They were no longer stuck together. How much would things between them change? Old worries lurked in Gia’s mind. Sure, she’d passed the does she like me the way I like her hurdle, but that was the most basic assessment of compatibility.
They’d been through Hell together. Maybe that was the extent of their connection. Aurora had seen too much of Gia. Things Gia would have preferred a girlfriend not witness.
“You’re thinking hard,” Aurora said, setting her fork aside.
“I can’t help it. I overthink most of the time.” She always had.
“Does talking about whatever’s on your mind help?”
Gia shifted in her seat. “I don’t know. I don’t usually share.”
Aurora gave her the softest look. “I noticed. Don’t worry, I get that. I didn’t talk to people before I met Lilly and the other Lockwoods.”
Something relaxed deep in Gia’s soul. She’d forgotten how well Aurora understood her. There was far more between them than surviving yesterday’s battles.
Gia could talk to Aurora. After everything, what was there to be afraid of? “Maybe it’s wrong to be worrying about this right now, but I was thinking about us.”
“It’s not wrong at all.” Aurora grinned. “What’s worrying you about us?”
Gia huffed, feeling ridiculous and embarrassed, and a whole bunch of other uncomfortable things. “I was wondering if you want to date me or if this was only in the moment. And now the moment is over.”
Aurora reached across the table, and Gia offered her hand. Aurora clasped it. “Didn’t I make myself clear yesterday?”
Gia’s face heated. God, their graveside kiss had turned her inside out. “A girl can still overthink.”
“True. So, let me be crystal clear. I want a relationship with you. We can go slow with dating if that’s what feels right, but I don’t want casual. I want to know you, Gia. And I want to show you who I am when I’m not floating around obsessing about my family and my past.”
Gia squeezed Aurora’s fingers. “Me too. I don’t want to hold back anymore.”
“Do you normally?”
She nodded. “It feels so inconsequential now. All my fear and uncertainties were such a waste. I let my family get in my head, and it wasn’t the hypnosis.”
Aurora’s brow furrowed. “What were you afraid of?”
“Being dependent on Franco and my brother. I bought into how they treated me, and I wish I hadn’t, but I can’t blame them for everything.
I held myself back when it had nothing to do with them.
There was this girl, Tessa, and if I’d gone for it—took a chance—at least it wouldn’t have been so drawn out. ”
“Was she your girlfriend?”
Gia almost laughed. “No. She’s straight. I’ve never had a girlfriend.” She hesitated. “Is that a dealbreaker?”
Aurora laughed, the sound bright and full of depth. “Are you serious?” She rolled her eyes. “Yes, after you pulled me from my literal grave, your lack of dating experience is the dealbreaker.”
“Shut up,” Gia muttered without heat, fighting a smile.
Aurora leaned farther across the table. “Seriously. I don’t mind.” A sly smile curved her lush lips. “In fact, I like knowing I’ll be the one introduce you to the wonders of sapphic life.”
Gia’s face flamed, her chest aching. “I wouldn’t want it to be anyone other than you.”
Aurora took her home along the scenic route, following the riverwalk and passing a bunch of shops, bars, and restaurants.
Of all the places in the world for Gia to have landed, she was liking Shearwater Landing, and this neighborhood in particular.
Franco and Marc would have called it run-down, but Gia found it charming.
She and Aurora reached home, the theater looming silently across the street. Gia imagined it open, lights glowing, and the marquee packed with show times.
A light flutter filled her chest.
“Well, look who it is,” a familiar voice said, and Gia suppressed a sigh.
“Viv. You always seem to be lurking nearby.”
The vampire smirked, showing the barest hint of fang. “Happens when you’re neighbors.”
“How’s your application to join the Lockwoods going?” Aurora asked her.
Viv shrugged. “Pending. Figured I’d give the coven a break after yesterday before following up. No rush.”
Gia wondered if vampires were ever in a rush, given their unending lives. “Thanks for your help, in case I forgot to say it.” The ride into the city was a blur, to say the least.
“Anytime.” Viv swung what appeared to be a gym bag over her shoulder. “See you witches later.” She sauntered away, whistling merrily.
“She’s kind of…” Gia frowned. “Not creepy, but I don’t know…off somehow.”
“Vicious?” Aurora suggested.
“Definitely.” Gia entered the building code, and they headed up the stairs. “Is that a vampire thing?”
“I don’t know many vampires. No one outside the Lockwood Coven other than Viv. Usually, witches and vampires stick to separate covens. The Lockwoods are unique in that way.”
“Does she fit in with the coven?” For the first time, Gia wondered how they decided which new members to accept. Was it like applying for a job or to join an exclusive club?
“I can see Viv fitting in as long as her willingness to shed blood is restricted to helping people, rather than for the sake of it.”
Gia shuddered. “I guess we’ll see.”
Aurora broke into a blinding smile. “We certainly will.”
Gia had no idea why Aurora said it like that, or why it seemed to make her so happy, but Gia would take it. Aurora’s smile was the most gorgeous thing she’d ever seen.
They arrived at Gia’s landing and pulled up short. Lilly stood outside the door.
“Lil!” Aurora rushed forward and the two embraced. “How’d you get in here?”
“Viv let me in. I texted,” she added to Gia.
“I left my phone inside.” She hadn’t charged it yesterday, and it had died.
“I figured there was a reason you weren’t answering, but I couldn’t stand sitting around waiting to hear from you. I needed to see you both with my own eyes.”
“No problem.” Gia quickly let them inside.
“We’re having a coven meeting tomorrow,” Lilly said, collapsing on the couch with Aurora. “No pressure to come, but you’re both invited. Oh, and you’re officially in, Aurora.”
Aurora beckoned Gia closer, and she sat on the arm of the couch. Aurora immediately hugged her around the waist. “Glad they didn’t decide I was too much trouble.”
Lilly glared. “Don’t even joke. If the Lockwoods stopped helping people like you, I’d leave. Besides, the elders agree that your link to us brought you to the theater.”
Aurora sat straighter, her arm tightening around Gia. “Really?”
Lilly nodded. “You were a soul. Your most pure self, driven by your most true connections. You’d accepted us, and we’d accepted you, even if Edward hadn’t finalized the coven documents. Connections like that mean something.”
The idea gave Gia a giddy feeling. Personal connections held their own kind of power. Something that couldn’t be forced or restricted. If that wasn’t magic, Gia didn’t know what was.
Aurora seemed deep in thought for a moment.
“Getting trapped in the theater ended up being a good thing,” she said eventually.
“If I hadn’t been pulled away and returned to my body immediately, I’d have realized my spell had failed and been trapped.
No one would have known I was about to be married off, and I might never have gotten out. ”
Lilly’s smile disappeared. “It seems like it happened this way for a reason.”
Gia liked the idea of things happening for a reason. It was almost as if she’d shown up in Shearwater Landing for the purpose of helping Aurora. “Why do you think you got stuck with me if the Lockwoods pulled you to the theater?”
Before Aurora could open her mouth, Lilly chuckled. “Isn’t it obvious?” She gestured between them, like her point was proven.
Gia’s heart skipped. It was what she’d been thinking. “But Aurora and I couldn’t have had a connection then. We didn’t know each other when I walked into the theater.” She glanced at Aurora. “I didn’t even believe you were real.”
“I won’t say it’s a fated connection between our souls.” Aurora laughed at the prospect. “As far as I know, that kind of thing doesn’t exist. But I also don’t believe it’s a coincidence my soul wouldn’t leave your side.”