Chapter Eighty
Marcus
G igi and I didn’t wake up until nine. Considering we were up until two, sleep was necessary. She’s in the shower as I arrange our breakfast on the table in our room. The crew decided we would skip breakfast together and meet up for the beach later in the morning.
As I pour coffee into the mugs, my phone buzzes.
Rory: Hit me up when you’re back in town. We need to talk.
Me: How bad is it?
Rory: Don’t let her see her again.
Me: Got it. I’ll call you Friday evening.
Rory: Sounds good. Congrats on the wedding.
“Is that coffee I smell?” Gigi wraps the white robe around her body. I quickly send Rory a thank you and lay my phone down.
“It is. How was your shower?” I walk to her, kissing her cheek.
“Lovely. We should have showered after round three last night, but I was too exhausted.”
“I won’t apologize for that.” I pull out a chair for her to sit.
“I wouldn’t want you to.” She smirks. “I don’t know how I’m going to go back to the real world after being here and having two weddings. It’s like the shop isn’t even my life anymore.”
Lately, when she talks about the spa, it’s barely positive. A couple weeks ago, she went so far as to say when she walks in the door, all she sees is memories of Sabrina.
“G, I’m going to ask you some questions, and I want you to be completely honest with me.”
“Okay.” She sets her coffee cup down.
“Are you happy there?”
“No.” She says it with no hesitation.
“Why are you still there?”
“Because I want to carry my weight.” She looks down at her bagel.
“What do you want to do?”
“Sell the shop and be a housewife.” She keeps her gaze down at her food.
“Look at me.” Her eyes move to mine. “You want to be a housewife?” I didn’t expect her to say that.
“I know it sounds crazy, but yeah. I was thinking I could take care of you. I could babysit for Jax and Audrey. I could try to figure out what I want to do in the second half of my life. I could just rest.”
“You know you don’t need to take care of me, right?”
“I know I don’t need to, but what if I want to try?”
“Are you sure you want to give up the spa?”
“I’ve thought about it a lot lately, but yeah, I’m ready to let it go.” Her eyes change; she looks nervous and worried. “Please don’t think I’m taking advantage of our situation. This is something I’ve been feeling for a long time now.”
I reach over and take her hand. “Come here.” She stands from her chair, coming over to me and straddling my lap. I cup her jaw in my hands and make her look me in the eye. “I would never think you would be taking advantage of me. I know you have been less than excited about work lately. When we’re done with all the wedding insanity, let’s start looking into the process.”
Her shoulders relax as she whispers, “Thank you.”
“I just want you to be happy, G.”
“Sometimes it’s hard for me to process that.”
My brows pinch. “Why?”
“No one has ever allowed me to voice what I really want or help me get there. I’ve always sort of done everything on my own.”
“Those days are gone, princess. I’m here to help you. When you’re happy, I’m happy. I want to know everything going on in that mind of yours.”
She nods, then lays her head on my shoulder, snuggling into me as I wrap my arms around her.
We spent three solid days with the crew, spending daytime hours on the beach and eating way too much. Gigi and I made sure to, let’s just say, consummate our marriage as many times as possible. It was perfect. But coming back to Boston three days before, what I’m now calling, ‘the show wedding’ is a rude awakening. My dad has lawyers in the office drafting paperwork for the handover, Gigi’s on edge, and honestly, I just want this whole thing behind us.
When we got back to the city, Rory and I agreed to meet the next day. Knowing he found something on Gigi’s mother isn’t helping my stress levels at all. I’m ready to ease into normal life and put all the craziness behind us.