The New Palmer Girl (Love and Grief Duet #2)

Luke

PROLOGUE

I wish I could say that this shocked me. That it happened out of nowhere. That nobody had a clue. Nope. This tragedy has been a long time coming. Out of all the shit that has been happening to me in my twenty-two years of living, ironically, this one is the one that doesn’t feel like a plot twist. This one feels inevitable .

I’ve been to two funerals before this. There are fewer people this time. When my family died in the fire, three towns collectively came together to say their goodbyes during the burial of the Palmers. When it was Andrew’s turn, he was a young boy with a bright future who left the earth due to unnatural causes. Although a lot of his high school friends who just left for college out of state couldn’t attend, even locals who didn’t know him showed up, even if it was just to satisfy their curious minds. Today, however, I can count with my fingers how many people are here.

Once the casket is lowered into the ground, my eyes immediately scan the premises for Gigi. Sometime during the burial, the sound of wailing was piercing everyone’s ears, followed by Gigi’s frantic shushing. She gave up after fifteen minutes and headed for the parking lot.

Gigi is standing in front of a tree, the sleeping baby swayed in her arms. I can’t help but smile when I see her dark hair. She made her mom chop it short into a bob when Bianca came over a while ago, just like when I met her at that frat party during junior year. If I had a time machine, would I have stopped myself then? Would I have told the old to run away as fast as he could?

I wouldn’t. Not even for a second do I regret being with Gigi. She was the greatest thing to ever happen to me. And what did I do? I fucked it all up, just like I always do. I let my demons win and lost Gigi in the process.

Taking slow, tentative steps, I think about what I’m going to say to her.

I’m sorry I was an ass?

I know I suck, but please stay with me anyway?

Nothing is adequate. And deep inside, I know it for a fact. Giuliana deserves better than me. She deserves the world. But I’m the loser she’s stuck with.

“Gigi.” I plant my feet behind her. Strong. Firm. Nothing short of a hurricane can make me move. I need this. I need her. I need us back.

She turns to me, her body still swaying as she shushes our sleeping baby. My heart cracks knowing that by the time all of this is over, I won’t be going home to a perfect, loving family. God, do I fucking want to. I’d do anything to be able to cuddle Gigi again. To smell her hair and wrap my arms around her waist without her pushing me away.

But it was your own doing, . You lost sight of what was important. You reap what you sow.

“Gigi,” I call out to her again, hoping to get another reaction out of her instead of just her empty stare. She spoke three words to me today. I hate funerals. That’s it. I want her to say more. I miss her rambles.

“The baby’s sleeping,” she whispers, turning her back to me again. “You’re going to wake him up. I’ll join you guys soon. Don’t worry.”

Gently grabbing her shoulder, I plead my case one last time. “Gigi, please look at me.”

“What is it, ?” By the tone of her voice, she’s trying her best to put a damper on her emotions. Probably because of today. Maybe because of the baby. But her eyes say it all. They’re glittering with sadness and disappointment. All geared toward me.

“I want us to be a real couple again, Gi. I want to make it work.”