Chapter 25 Gianna
TWENTY-FIVE
GIANNA
“You never said who you were going on a date with,” Cecilia said, flicking through dresses on the rack in front of her. “You actually haven’t said anything.”
Gianna shrugged, pulling out a dress from one of the racks and holding it against her body. “Does this one look good on me?”
“Stop ignoring me.”
“I’m not ignoring you, I’m just choosing not to answer you.”
“Who is this person and why can’t you say a word about them to me?” Cecilia asked, standing in front of Gianna now. “You know I would never judge you. I mean, you’ve seen some of the dudes I’ve gone on dates with.”
Gianna should have gone shopping by herself, but to be honest, she never went shopping alone. Luna and Blair were busy, thank God, because seeing how much Cecilia was grilling her, she wouldn’t have survived it if all three of them were asking questions.
She hadn’t even mentioned any date to Cecilia, but her best friend knew her well enough to know that whenever she came shopping for a new dress or outfit like this, there had to be some kind of event involved.
The bitch had to have narrowed down the possibilities because once she got it, she hadn’t stopped asking questions.
“It’s not about you judging them or anything like that. It’s just not serious enough yet to tell anyone about it,” Gianna said. “The last time I got invested and told you all, it ended up in a shit show. I want to make sure this is going somewhere before I introduce you all to him.”
Lie. Lie. Lie.
She was getting good at it. First of all, she would never need to introduce any of them to Finn because duh.
And it would never get to that point. Ever.
Secondly, what happened with the asshole from the club was a disaster, but it wasn’t her fault.
Still, there was truth there. She wouldn’t be introducing anyone to her best friends or her brother until it was serious. Gianna was not risking it.
“At least tell me his name. Is he cute? How have you been seeing him? How long have you been seeing him? I need some details,” Cecilia said, groaning.
“It’s a new thing, I see him at school, yes he’s cute, and no you cannot know his name because I know you share the same stalkerish tendencies as Mr. Augustus Larson.”
Her face fell. “Don’t ever compare me to him.”
“Wouldn’t have to if you two weren’t such soulmates,” Gianna said mockingly.
That did the trick of sending Cecilia down a tangent about how annoying her stalker was. If it stopped the questions for the time being, then Gianna would handle it.
They wandered around the store, trying on different dresses and shoes.
Like always, the simple task of finding one dress turned into shopping for other things that she definitely did not need.
It was her form of relaxation. She regularly subscribed to retail therapy as a way to get her mind off everything that was going on in her life.
It left her with an overflowing closet and unresolved issues, but it worked for the time being.
Gianna checked her phone, seeing that Finn had texted her.
Finn
I have an update on our date night.
What could it possibly be?
Pack an overnight bag and your outfit so you can get ready out of the house.
I’m taking you to the city for the night. I’ll pick you up after your dance practice Friday night.
Uh, yeah that’s not going to work.
I can’t spend the night anywhere.
Go ahead and change the plans.
Hello?
Finn!
I can see you reading every single one of these texts.
Answer your phone!
I’m so glad you’re on board, princess ;) See you on Friday.
Gianna held the phone with a death grip, letting out a frustrated exhale of breath. She looked up, locking eyes with Cecilia who seemed to have been watching her the whole time.
“I’m afraid to ask what just happened, but I’m also extremely curious,” she said with wide eyes.
Gianna shook her head. “Men are stupid. That’s what happened. I need to ask you for a favor, though.”
“Of course.”
“You need to be my alibi for Friday night,” Gianna said. “I don’t know how this is going to fucking work because I’m convinced he doesn’t use his brain, but I need us to come up with something so I can get out for the night.”
“All night? I’m going to need a name then because if you’re going through this much effort for a man, it must be some man.” Cecilia’s eyes bore into her own, and Gianna felt herself cracking under the pressure.
“Fine,” she said, letting out an exasperated huff. “It’s Finn.”
“It’s who?” Cecilia screamed.
Gianna jumped on her, putting her hand over her mouth. “Are you out of your mind? Shut up!”
She ripped it off. “Are you out of your mind? You’re fucking Luna’s brother?” She shook her head, laughing in disbelief. “This is crazy.”
“Don’t say that.”
“How did this happen?”
“I don’t know,” Gianna groaned. “It just kind of did, I guess. God, I don’t know. We’re still figuring it out. I’m trying to stop it.”
“Oh, I’m sure you are.” Cecilia laughed again, running her hands down her face. “This is wild.”
“Don’t tell anyone. Please,” she begged. “Especially not my brother or Luna.”
“I’m not going to tell anyone.”
“Thank you.”
It was silent for a moment.
“Is the sex good?”
“Oh my God,” Gianna exclaimed, walking away.
Cecilia followed closely behind her. “You can’t tell me something like that and then not give me any details.”
“Obviously it’s good enough if I’m telling you about it.”
“Obviously it’s good enough if you’re running off to have a sleepover.”
Gianna gave her a death glare. “I’m done with this conversation.”
“Oh, come on. You know I’m playing with you. If you’re into him and it works, then who the hell am I to judge?”
“Don’t say things like that.”
Cecilia’s brows furrowed. “Why?”
She shrugged, guilt filling her. “Because it makes it feel like me and Finn are dating and that makes it worse. I don’t like hiding things from you or Luna or Blair or anyone.”
“It’s wrong, but it feels so right. I know that feeling,” Cecilia said. “Who cares? If it’s a secret, live in the secret. Care if you decide to make it public. Deal with it then but live in the now.”
“If only it was that easy.”
“It can be. You’ll be going to whatever date he has on Friday and I’m going to help cover for you,” Cecilia said, grabbing her hand.
“Don’t think about anything else. See if that’s really a relationship you want to explore and then take the time to worry about everything else when you get home if you have to. ”
The intense gratitude that swept through Gianna had her pulling Cecilia into the tightest hug she’d ever had before.
Maybe there was also a small bit of relief knowing that she could confide in someone about the relationship now, someone who wouldn’t judge her.
She felt relieved even if for a small moment.
But Cecilia was right. She needed to take the chance to experience the relationship, see how they could function, and if there really was something there before she tried to complicate it with everything else.
For the night, she would let all that go.
All the worries about betraying her brother, Luna, and everyone else in her life.
She would see who Finn was and let him see who she was.
Her eyes landed on the dress that was right behind Cecilia that seemed to shine down from the Gods above. A pink mini dress that had jewels in every shade of pink hanging off it, mixing a flapper-esque style with something that was more of Gianna’s style.
It was perfect.
Like a sign from the universe, Gianna knew everything would be okay. At least for her date night.