25. Chapter Twenty-Five
Chapter Twenty-Five
Gigi had stayed up far too late, reading through the proposals Harris had sent her. The first proposal, titled “Before Gigi,” was brutally cold and calculating. He’d outlined a plan to dissolve SheTime, citing underperformance and recommending layoffs, including Gigi’s termination. Pain and embarrassment pierced her when she saw her name reduced to a mere line item. The clinical language was harsh and blunt. Yet, as she examined the numbers and information Harris had, she could understand the conclusions he’d drawn.
She still couldn’t believe he’d recommended cutting an entire division, like it was a plant that wouldn’t flower. Instead of trying to understand why it wasn’t thriving, he wanted to pull it up by the roots and be done with it.
But when she read through his revised proposal, “After Gigi,” the difference was stark. He’d stressed SheTime’s potential, advising an increased marketing budget and dedicated team. But what shocked her the most was his suggestion of promoting her to Director, with back pay for being underpaid in her current position. In his summary, Harris said she could double the business in a year, if given the right support.
The revised proposal was not written by someone that saw her as expendable. Someone who believed in her wrote it. Even as she thought of it now, sitting in her Nonna’s apartment, overwhelmed tears filled her eyes.
“Gigi, mia bella, come make your plate. Dinner is ready,” her nonna’s sweet voice broke through Gigi’s thoughts, urging her to stand from the floral couch. After a slow morning, Gigi had gone down two floors, to her nonna’s apartment, trying her best to put on a happy face. After all, it was Christmas Eve, and they were spending the day together. Gigi cherished these moments and didn’t want them ruined by the dumpster fire that had taken over her mind.
But she hadn’t fooled her grandma. From the second Gigi arrived, Nonna knew something was wrong. When Gigi said she wasn’t ready to talk about it, Nonna started cooking.
Gigi joined Nonna at the kitchen counter, where she was cutting into her baked gnocchi with the edge of a serving spoon. Bacon, spinach, tomato, and mascarpone cheese were laced through the casserole. The aroma of garlic, basil, and rich tomato filled the apartment, offering comfort in the form of a grandmother’s love.
“Thank you,” Gigi said, holding a plate while her nonna filled it. “This looks absolutely delicious.”
Nonna smiled, loading up the second plate. “Sit, eat. Let’s enjoy.”
Gigi carried both their plates to the table, setting them between silverware and tall, cold glasses of milk. Gigi sank into a chair and reached for her nonna’s hand. They bowed their heads and said a thankful prayer, as they did before each meal.
Taking her first bite, Gigi moaned in appreciation, thinking her nonna was right again. Food made everything better, especially homemade gnocchi and warm, gooey mascarpone cheese. “This is incredible,” she said, licking sauce from her bottom lip.
“I’m glad you like it,” Nonna replied, but she was quiet for a few beats, and Gigi felt her eyes boring into the side of her head. When Gigi looked up, Nonna asked, “Are you ready to tell me what’s troubling you?”
Gigi swallowed hard. She wasn’t ready, but also wondered if her nonna had sprinkled truth serum over the gnocchi—because the entire story spilled out. The night they lost and found Rudy. How Harris had kissed her and confessed he was falling for her. His plan to dissolve SheTime, and the revised proposal she’d just read.
Her nonna listened intently, nodding occasionally. When Gigi finished, she took her hand. The warm touch prompting Gigi to share more.
“I’m just—” Gigi confessed, resting her forehead in her other hand. “I’m so confused.”
Her nonna squeezed her fingers, keeping hold until Gigi turned her head to look at her. “Mia bella, I’m going to tell you something I learned over forty years of marriage. It may not be what you want to hear, but it may also save you a lot of heartache.”
Gigi stared at her, not sure what to expect but trusting her nonna completely. She nodded, wondering if her nonna would tell her to cut Harris off and run the other way. Could she ever look at him again if that was the advice?
“Love is not always easy. People make mistakes, sometimes big ones,” Nonna started, surprising Gigi. “No one is perfect, and forgiveness is an important part of marriage. It’s an important part of any relationship.”
Gigi pressed her lips together, taking in this piece of advice. “But how do I know if I can trust him again?” Her voice sounded small, unsure, thinking of the part of the revised proposal where Harris had expressed his desire to step away from Ryan & Ryan. Was he already on the next flight, back to his life in New York? The thought of permanently losing him sent Gigi into a tailspin, despite what she’d learned in the past twenty-four hours.
“If there’s genuine remorse and a willingness to change, it’s worth considering forgiveness.” Nonna offered a consoling smile, as if she could see the conflicting emotions pouring through Gigi. “Trust is built with time and effort. It sounds like Harris realized his mistake and is trying to make amends. If he’s willing to fight for you, then maybe he deserves a chance to explain himself.”
Gigi swallowed, wanting to believe Harris cared for her, that he wanted to be with her. But could she risk demolishing her heart by putting it on the line one more time? Before she could respond, there was a knock at the door. Gigi looked up, puzzled. “Who’s that?” Someone was stopping by on Christmas Eve?
“I’m not sure.” Nonna started to rise from her chair, but Gigi stood quickly.
“I’ll get it. You finish your dinner.” Gigi strode to the door, opening it to reveal Paige’s and Alice’s smiling faces. They stood in the hallway, each with garment bags slung over their shoulders.
“What’re you doing here?” Gigi asked, her surprise clear, even though she was excited to see them. Paige and Alice exchanged a glance before stepping inside.
“We have a mission,” Paige announced. “To get you ready for the Christmas Ball.”
“What?” Gigi asked, spinning to watch her friends march through the apartment. They slung the garment bags over the back of the couch.
“Holy moly, those are heavy,” Paige said, rubbing a shoulder.
Alice grinned at her, before they each hugged Nonna, offering Christmas greetings.
“Did you say something about a ball?” Nonna asked, and Alice nodded.
“Harris came to my bookstore just before closing last night,” Alice started, pure excitement on her face. “He begged for me and Paige to help, saying he really messed up, and that he needed to make it up to you, and he wanted to do it in person.”
Nonna raised a wise brow. “He said that, did he?”
Alice bobbled her head at Nonna. “He asked if Paige and I could deliver a letter to you.” Alice raised her hand, and Gigi zoned in on an envelope, her heart skipping a few beats. “And four ball gowns.” She waved at the garment bags like she was Vanna White.
“Do you have any idea how hard it is to get ballgowns on the eve of Christmas Eve?” Paige raised her brow before her expression softened. “He must really have it bad for you.”
Gigi’s heart was now pounding. She didn’t know what to think.
“Do you want to read it?” Alice asked, offering the letter.
“Please,” Paige added. “I’m dying to hear what it says. I wanted to read it on the way over here, but Alice wouldn’t let me.”
Alice smirked. “I had to wrestle it away from her.” She held the envelope out in front of her, as if she’d stumbled on Santa’s naughty or nice list.
Gigi tentatively took it from her. As she opened the envelope and unfolded the letter, her hands trembled. In the quiet that followed, Gigi absorbed the neat, black cursive on cream paper.
Dear Gigi,
I couldn’t bear to put any more words into an email or a text. I had to at least put pen to paper to try to convince you to meet with me.
What I really need to say must be done in person. I know you’re upset, and you have every right to be. I should’ve been upfront with you, telling you what I’d proposed to my father. I hate that you discovered that when you overheard our conversation. It should’ve come from my mouth.
If you read through the proposals I sent you, you can see that I changed my mind about SheTime. You did that. You showed me all the potential I couldn’t see in spreadsheets and charts. I hope you know I meant every single word I said to you. I know how amazing you are, what a catch you are for any man or any company.
But what I really need to say to you has nothing to do with business. Your lovely friends obliged me by delivering my message, and a selection of dresses for you to choose from.
Will you meet me at the Christmas Ball? Please hear me out. I’ll be waiting to see your beautiful face at seven o’clock at the fountain. I’ve enclosed your ticket.
Sincerely, truly, madly, deeply . . . falling for you,
Harris
Gigi peeked inside the envelope, finding a ticket to the ball. She looked up at her friends and Nonna, too stunned for words. All three of them were leaning forward, like they might hear her thoughts as she’d read the letter.
“Well, what’d he say?” Alice said, eyes wide as saucers.
“I just about died while you read that!” Paige’s mouth was open. “ Please , don’t make us wait a second longer!”
Nonna sat at the table, her hands pressed together in anticipation. “Mia Bella, what did the letter say?”
Gigi glanced back at Harris’s penmanship, at every swoop and dot that he’d penned for her. And Nonna’s advice echoed in her ear—forgiveness is an important part of love.
Maybe it was time to stop letting her fears dictate her decisions. Maybe it was time to follow her heart, instead of run from it. Deep down, she wanted Harris in her life, which meant she had to trust herself enough to take a chance. Hearing Harris out could be that chance.
She looked up again. “He wants me to meet him at the ball.”