Chapter 27
Gigi left the hotel and drove straight to her favorite hidden beach on the island’s west side.
She took her beach chair from the trunk and found a spot in the shade under an overhang of rocks.
Chloe had told her about this place weeks ago, and it had since become Gigi’s go-to place when she needed to be alone.
She flipped through the script that Matilda had given them for the final episode.
People were often surprised to learn how much of the show was scripted by the team of writers who helped to bring structure to each episode.
The two of them were encouraged to add their own flair to whatever the writers came up with, and that flair was where they found the sweet spot that made the show so popular.
Suddenly, tears filled her eyes and threatened to spill down her cheeks at the thought of leaving Gansett next Tuesday.
Tears infuriated Gigi. They were for weak people, and she wasn’t weak.
She prided herself on being the strongest person she knew, and she refused to let one summer change everything about who she was.
Jordan liked her with Cooper, saw something different in her when she was with him, and Gigi couldn’t deny that she felt the same thing. But that didn’t mean she had to turn her entire life upside down to accommodate him.
You wouldn’t have to, her inner voice said. He’s already told you he’ll go wherever you want to be in the off-season as long as he can come back to Gansett to run his business next summer. And you wouldn’t hate coming back here every summer, where Jordan, Nikki and Evelyn are.
Everything in her yearned for a life that looked just like the one he’d suggested for them, if only she could make herself take the extraordinary risk that’d be required to let him all the way in.
“Hey, is this seat taken?” Chloe asked as she parked her chair next to Gigi’s.
Appalled to have nearly been caught weeping over a man, Gigi rallied with a smile for the exotically beautiful Chloe Dennis. “It is now.”
“Sorry to barge in on your peace and quiet. I had an hour free and came right here.”
“I’m glad you did.”
“You guys aren’t filming today?”
Gigi shook her head. “We finish the season over the next few days.”
“Oh wow. That was quick, although I’m sure it didn’t feel quick to you guys.”
“The summer went by fast.”
“It always does. The winter is endless, and the summer just flies.”
“How’re you feeling?”
Chloe had recently suffered a serious flare-up of her rheumatoid arthritis that had put her out of commission for days—the same days that the power had failed on the island.
“I’m much better than I was. Thanks for asking.”
“I hate that you suffer like that.”
“It truly sucks, but it sucks less than it did before I had Finn to take care of me.”
“It’s sweet of him to do that.”
“It really is, and it was hard for me to allow him to do it at first, until I realized a man like him doesn’t do anything he doesn’t want to do. You know?”
“Yeah,” Gigi said, thinking of Cooper, who could certainly be categorized the same way. “I know what you mean.”
“How’s it going with Cooper?”
“Does the whole island know we’ve been seeing each other, or does it just seem that way?”
“When you nearly roll a Porsche off the bluffs on your first date, word tends to get around.”
Gigi groaned. “That was all his fault. He wanted a selfie with me and the car.”
“The man is only human, and you’re Gigi Gibson.”
“Oh hush,” Gigi said.
Laughing, Chloe said, “The poor guy is crazy about you. Anyone can see that.”
“He’s a nice guy.”
“Yes, he is, and they can be hard to find. Just ask me. I spent years looking for one before I gave up, convinced they were all a bunch of dogs. Then Finn McCarthy stepped into my salon and showed me there’re still a few good ones in this world.”
“I’m happy for you that you found him—or he found you.”
“I’m happy we found each other.” Chloe glanced at her, seeming tentative all of a sudden. “I hope you don’t mind that I know a little of your story.”
Gigi shrugged, accustomed now to people knowing things about her that she would’ve preferred to keep private. But celebrity didn’t work that way. “I’m an open book.”
“I was a product of the foster system, too. My father killed my mother and then himself.”
“Oh my God, Chloe. I’m so sorry.”
“Thanks, but it was a lifetime ago. It doesn’t define me. Not anymore.”
Gigi’s mind raced as she tried to process what Chloe had told her.
“I’m only telling you this because I understand the spot you’re in with Cooper.”
Gigi was almost afraid to ask. “What spot is that?”
“You like him—a lot—but you’re not sure you have it in you to take a chance on what he has the potential to be to you.”
Staring at Chloe, she said, “How do you know that?”
“Because I’ve been right where you are. Not that long ago, in fact. I tried really hard to resist what was happening with Finn. I’d taken care of myself for so long that I’d forgotten how to let someone else in.”
Gigi understood that all too well.
“Plus, I’m dealing with this damned RA situation that could seriously impact my future—and his—and I tried to talk him out of loving me.”
“What did he do?”
“He kept showing up and proving to me over and over again that I could put my faith in him, and he’d never let me down. He proved that in a big way during this latest flare-up. He was a rock.”
“I’m happy for you that you guys managed to work things out. Anyone can see he’s crazy about you.”
“We can see the same with your Cooper.”
“He’s not my Cooper!”
“Isn’t he, though, Gigi?” Chloe asked, her tone gentle.
The question broke something inside Gigi, leaving her raw and unprotected against the feelings she had for him.
“You don’t want it. I get that better than anyone else ever could.
I realized I was projecting the bullshit from my past onto Finn, expecting him to be like my dad was, which was totally fucked up and unfair to him.
He’s nothing like my dad, and he’s never going to be anything other than what he is—perfect for me. ”
Freaking tears spilled down Gigi’s cheeks, despite her fierce desire to contain them and the emotions causing them.
Chloe put her hand on top of Gigi’s. “I totally get it, Gigi. I really do.”
Gigi turned her hand up to lightly clasp Chloe’s. Her knuckles were red and swollen and painful looking.
“It’s a big risk when you come from what we do to take a chance on people.”
“I spent most of my life in a gilded mansion in Beverly Hills,” Gigi said. “You had it much harder than I did.”
“I heard how you emancipated from your adopted parents, which probably means not everything in that Beverly Hills mansion was gilded.”
“No, it wasn’t.”
“Then I assume you’re very much in the same spot I was in when Finn was demanding entry to my heart and my life, and all those walls I’d erected to keep out threats to the life I’d built for myself were crumbling as if they were made of sand.”
Chloe’s words struck at the heart of Gigi’s dilemma where Cooper was concerned. “I always thought my walls were built of concrete and rebar, but since I met him, I’m discovering otherwise.”
Chloe’s laughter echoed through their little encampment under the rocks. “It’s shocking to realize how easily they can climb over and get inside, isn’t it?”
“Shocking and a bit horrifying.”
Smiling, Chloe said, “It’s only shocking and horrifying at first. Once you get past the initial jolt, it’s actually quite lovely to have someone who has your back through all of life’s ups and downs.
” She touched the stunning diamond pendant that hung around her neck on a gorgeous chain.
“Finn is the best thing to ever happen to me. I’ve never been happier until I allowed myself to let him make me happy. ”
Chloe’s words resonated with Gigi. Until I allowed myself to let him make me happy. “I’m glad it worked out so well for you guys.”
“I am, too, and he says he’s never been happier, too, which is just as important to me as my own happiness.” She shrugged as if she hadn’t described life-changing developments. “When it’s right, it’s right.”
Gigi felt like her brain would explode from all the thoughts competing for her attention. So many thoughts, emotions and concerns as her summer on Gansett came to a close. “Thanks for sharing that with me, Chloe. I appreciate your insight.”
“I’ve discovered that when you’re happy like I am with Finn, you want everyone else you care about to find their happiness.”
Hearing that Chloe cared about her had Gigi’s emotions stirring again. What was it with this place and these people? She’d never been such an emotional waste case in her life, even during all the crap with her parents. She’d powered through like she hadn’t a care in the world, but this…
Jordan was right. Chloe was right. This, with Cooper… This was different.
Her phone chimed with a text from him. How was the meeting with Matilda? Mine went great—better than I could’ve expected. Can’t wait to tell you about it. You going with me tonight?
“Are you guys coming to my surprise party tonight?”
Stunned, Gigi looked at Chloe, who laughed. “Finn sucks at surprises. He’s given it away about six times in the last two days.”
“But you’ll act surprised tonight?”
“Of course I will. I’d never ruin his fun.”
Gigi wanted to be there for her new friend, and she wanted another night with Cooper, even if she was aware that every minute she spent with him would make it that much harder to leave when the plane arrived to pick her up next Tuesday.
Meeting was interesting. Decisions to be made. Can’t wait to hear about yours. I’d love to go to Chloe’s party. Be home shortly.
I’ll be here.
Three simple words that said so much: I’ll be here.
She had a few days left to decide if she was going to take a chance on him or stick to the safe route. But the more she thought about it, the less the safe route appealed to her. Nothing appealed to her as much as he did.
Later that night, wrapped up in Cooper’s arms on the Wayfarer dance floor as he softly sang along to Owen Lawry’s rendition of “God Only Knows,” Gigi understood she was in much deeper with him than she’d previously acknowledged.
Him singing, “God only knows what I’d be without you,” to her had her mind racing with scenarios and implications and dread.
She had to go back to LA, where things made sense to her.
Nothing made sense on Gansett Island. It was like she’d become someone totally foreign to herself in three short months on the tiny island in the middle of the ocean.
How was it possible for twenty-nine years to be wiped out by three short months and a few weeks with a guy who said and did all the right things?
Finn had gone overboard with food and drinks and music. Chloe was glowing with happiness as she danced with her fiancé. Things had worked out well for her friend. She was one of the lucky ones. Gigi had never been one of the lucky ones.
“How do you know this song?” Gigi asked Cooper, desperate for a reprieve from her own thoughts.
“It’s my mother’s favorite. I was weaned on Pet Sounds.”
“What the heck is Pet Sounds?”
“Only one of the most iconic albums of all times. Beach Boys, circa 1966, and thank God we had this conversation before you meet her, or my mom might not approve of you for me.”
“She won’t approve anyway.”
Cooper drew back from her and looked down, his expression full of confusion. “Why in the world would you say that?”
“Along with the rest of the world, she’s watched me act the fool on TV for the last couple of years. She’ll probably think you could do better.”
“You haven’t acted the fool. You’ve made a lot of people laugh and entertained them with your antics.”
“It’s silly.”
“It’s fun. You should be proud of what you and Jordan have created.”
“I am. Sort of.”
He took her by the hand and led her from the dance floor to the veranda that looked out over the beach.
“This is one hell of a spot the McCarthys have here,” she said as she took in the view that was magnificent, even at night.
“It sure is. Now why don’t you tell me what’s wrong, and once again, I have to say don’t tell me it’s nothing, because you haven’t been yourself since you got home earlier.”
“And you know me well enough to say that?”
“I do, yes.”
Gigi folded her arms across her chest, as if that could fortify defenses that were nonexistent when he looked at her in that particular knowing way. “I’m leaving Tuesday.”
His eyes went wide. “As in this coming Tuesday?”
She nodded.
“Why so soon?”
“We finish shooting on Monday, and the network is sending a plane to pick everyone up.”
“So, you don’t have to leave on Tuesday. You’re choosing to leave on Tuesday.”
“My job is done here. I have a ride home. I’m going.”
“Okay.”
“Okay. Can we go back to the party now?”
“Sure.”
As they walked back inside, Jordan and Mason were coming in through the main entrance. Jordan made a beeline for Gigi, hugging her tightly while Cooper stopped to talk to Finn. “The mayor said yes to Mason taking a three-month leave of absence in the winter! We can keep making the show!”
“That’s great, Jord. I’m happy for you.”
“I’m happy for us, Geeg. Three more seasons to be together and have fun while making enough money to be set for life. This is the best day ever!”
“What’re you girls freaking out about?” Nikki asked as she joined them.
“We were offered a big fat deal to do the show for three more years, and we just found out that the mayor is going to let Mason take a three-month leave of absence in the winters so we can film then.”
“That’s great news, you guys,” Nikki said, hugging them both. “You’ve worked so hard. I’m proud of you.”
“You’ll come to wherever we are to make an appearance, right?” Jordan asked her twin.
Their most popular episodes included Jordan’s identical twin.
“Of course,” Nik said. “Sign me up.”
“Everything’s falling into place,” Jordan said, her smile as big as Gigi had ever seen it. “One more episode to film for this season, and then we’re on vacation until January!”
“I’m not on vacation, diva,” Gigi said. “I’ve got a law practice to get back to.” She’d had two associates running the office in her absence, but it was time to get back to reality. “I’m leaving Tuesday.”
“What? Why? You don’t have to go yet.”
“Yes, I do.” She needed to get out of there while she still could. Gigi glanced to her right, where Cooper was with Riley, Finn and some other guys Gigi didn’t know. He was laughing and talking to them, but his troubled gaze was fixed on her.
Jordan and Nikki hooked their arms through hers and made off with her.