Chapter 23
Twenty-Three
GIA
Marley led the way to the back of the house with the crate cradled in her arms. The cat had quieted down ever since Jake announced it could stay. Maybe it sensed it was safe for the time being. Or perhaps it had finally tired itself out.
They passed by the living room, where a dark leather couch sat in front of a large flat-screen television mounted above the fireplace.
She spotted framed photographs lining the mantel, along with some trinkets.
A plush rug sat in the middle of the room, tempting her to feel it with her bare feet.
The hardwood floors were dark gray with white and gold accents, teasing at a long-forgotten memory.
Marley took her through the kitchen, not noticing when Gia stopped in her tracks to survey the magnificent room ripped right out of a home decor magazine. The white and gray marble island separated a cozy breakfast nook set against large windows overlooking the lake.
The house was gorgeous with its high ceilings and modern furnishings, but what stood out to her was how homey it felt without feeling hollow, like her apartment back in LA.
While she was chasing her dreams, Jake had built a beautiful home and a family. A pang of regret laced with longing pierced her heart.
What if she could have all of this? Would she feel less alone?
If she had never left…
Stop it, Gia, she admonished herself. There was no use in what-ifs. All she had was the present.
And a completely nude Jake, whose footsteps were audible above her. She tried to push the sight of Jake, still wet from the shower and only in a towel, out of her mind—but man, Jake was jacked!
Where did all those muscles come from? Jake had always been in shape, and there were many times he’d walked around without a shirt, but her memories paled compared to how well Jake had aged. His abs had only grown more defined, with valleys creating a perfect trail for her tongue to trace.
Whoa. Down, girl.
She was getting ahead of herself, but watching a droplet of water trail down his body had done inappropriate things to her. The last thing she needed was to be caught drooling, but she was afraid it was too late.
The cat was literally out of the bag.
“Okay, I don’t have any gates, but I think the mudroom should be fine,” Marley muttered while Gia followed closely behind with the bag of cat food and treats she’d brought from the car in one hand.
Marley set the crate down in the corner, facing out so the cat could watch them.
“Are you ready?” Marley asked over her shoulder.
Gia shrugged. “As ready as I’ll ever be.”
“Okay, here goes nothing…” The gate squeaked as Marley dragged it open.
At first, the cat did nothing but glare at the two of them. Gia took it as a sign to set up the food. She pulled a small dish shaped like a fish from the bag. At the sound of the treats shaking, the cat’s ears perked up in interest.
“You should name her, Marley.”
“Me?” Marley tucked some stray hair behind her ear.
Gia shook out some dry food into the bowl, pushing it toward the cat. “Yeah, we can’t keep calling it cat.”
After a pause, Marley said softly, “I was thinking Tuna.”
Gia’s lips tugged into a small smile. “Seems appropriate.” She handed the bowl to Marley.
“You think so?” Marley took the proffered bowl, looking at the cat, who was still watching them with apprehension.
“Yeah. It’s perfect.”
“Okay, come on, Tuna. Pss pss pss.” Marley beckoned, crouching low and shaking the bowl.
Gia lowered herself to the ground, getting comfortable as she watched the scene unfold.
Tuna took her sweet time, eyes constantly scanning her surroundings as if she didn’t know what to make of her situation.
Gia didn’t blame her. One minute you’re gallivanting in the woods and finding a bunch of food laid out for you, and the next you’re stuck in a cage, driven all the way across town, and then poked and prodded by a stranger.
Then to find out not only was he a she, but she was also very, very pregnant.
In some ways, Gia could relate to Tuna’s predicament. She was far from LA, in a town she thought she knew, and surrounded by people who were poking and prodding at her. And being asked for a date was like it was something he’d been planning the entire time.
She didn’t blame Tuna for her distrust, but the differences ended there. After all, she wasn’t pregnant—it would have been an immaculate conception, and she was no Virgin Mary.
A soft knock sounded on the door before it cracked open. She stared up at Jake as he quickly squeezed himself into the too-cramped mudroom and shut the door behind him with a gentle snick.
“How’s it going?” Jake asked as he sat down next to her in one graceful movement.
“Good.” She shrugged, turning to look at him. His lithe body was now covered in a long-sleeved shirt and gray sweatpants.
Why does it have to be gray sweatpants?
Life was not fair. Who could resist an attractive man in gray sweatpants?
“I hope you ladies know what you’re doing.
” Jake’s voice was stern as he settled in beside Gia.
His shoulder grazed hers softly before he pressed himself firmly to her side.
They were touching from shoulder to legs, firmly rooting her in the moment.
Her breath hitched at the innocent yet intimate gesture.
It reminded her of versions of themselves a decade younger, sitting side by side while Thao rattled on about something or other.
The memories came to her with stunning clarity. She had never known for sure if Jake felt the same way until their last night together. For those glorious moments when he’d held her in his arms, their bodies in sync, saying what words failed to communicate, she felt loved.
It all came crashing down with four words.
“This was a mistake.”
For years, those words tortured her. Sent her spiraling into the depths of depression with no life raft in sight.
Thao had been her anchor, and he went somewhere she could never seem to reach him.
Years of working on herself and therapy had made her recognize she had been self-sabotaging in a foolish attempt to reunite with her twin—and though she didn’t want to die, didn’t think she was suicidal…
it hadn’t made it any less real that she didn’t know how to live without him. Or Jake.
She still didn’t.
But sitting beside him in the cramped space, watching Marley try to gain the trust of a feral animal, the fractured parts of her were knitting themselves back together. The puzzle pieces formed a sharper image, one she could focus on—and she didn’t need to be alone anymore.
Staying meant she could be a part of this life. Be a part of Jake’s world. And Marley’s.
And, she had a feeling, Tuna’s and her litter of kittens.
“You okay, babe?” Jake’s voice was low and hushed. She studied his expression, his brows pinched together in concern.
Babe?
Their eyes collided. His baby blues told her all she needed to know.
She was going to be okay.
“Yeah,” she choked out, emotion clogging her throat. “I am.”
He reached up and tenderly brushed away a stray tear, his fingers brushing against her soft skin. He was about to pull away when she seized his hand, her fingers interlacing with his, bringing it to her face as she breathed in his scent.
Jake leaned in, resting his forehead against hers, offering her a smirk that would have normally annoyed her but now sent her pulse skyrocketing. Her eyes flew to his lips, recalling the way they’d felt on hers last night. She licked her lips, willing him to lean in a little closer.
“Ew, you guys are gross,” Marley said loudly.
Gia jerked away, clearing her throat. “Wh-what?”
Marley rolled her eyes but tipped her chin downward. “Look.” The bundle of fur had climbed onto her lap. “I think she likes me.”
True to her word, a contented purr filled the air.
“Well, don’t get used to it. This is only temporary,” Jake’s voice cut in, though he playfully nudged Gia with a shoulder.