The CEO, the Puppy and Me

by Jennifer Faye

  The jolt of awareness that zinged through her body snapped her out of her state of euphoria. And as much as she loved being this close to Ric, it wasn’t right. He had to want her—all of her—before they could move in this direction.

  She pulled back. “Sorry. I was just so excited. I was beginning to think this day would never come.”

  “It’s okay. You don’t have to apologize.”

  “Where is he? When can I see him?” She glanced down at her scruffy work clothes that she’d been planning to wear to paint the villa. “I can’t meet him dressed like this. I have to change.”

  When she went to turn back to her room, Ric reached out, gently grabbing her arm. “Slow down. He’s not here.”

  She turned back. “Where is he?”

  “In Rome.”

  “Rome?”

  Ric nodded. “He’s a high-powered business banker.”

  “Then I need to book a flight—”

  “No, you don’t. We’ll take my private jet.”

  “Are you sure?”

  He nodded. “I already phoned ahead. It will be fueled and waiting for us.”

  “You’re going with me?”

  He nodded. “We’ve been through this whole journey together. I’d like to be there for you when it ends—or begins, depending on how you look at it.”

  “Thank you.” Tears of joy clouded her eyes. She was about to meet her biological father. She was about to have a parent again. “Thank you for everything.”

  They agreed to leave for the airport in a half hour. It’d give Gia enough time to call her contractor and let him know she’d be away for a while—maybe forever if all worked out like she wanted. And it gave her time to pack.

  Ric said that he would ask his housekeeper watch over the dogs. He said it wouldn’t be hard, as the housekeeper had a soft spot in her heart for them. Seemed like the furry duo had everyone wrapped around their paws. They were so adorable.

  Once Gia reached her room, she grabbed her phone. First, she texted her brother and sister, letting them know that she’d found her father—or rather that Ric had tracked him down. Her siblings sent good wishes, eager to know more about the man.

  Next, she texted her family friend, letting him know that a spur of the moment trip was sending them to Rome and asked if they could meet for dinner. Her friend agreed and suggested tonight. She hesitated. Not sure how her first meeting with her biological father would go, she asked her friend if she could let him know later in the day. He agreed.

  She couldn’t believe it. Her biological father was finally found. Excitement pumped through her veins as she rushed around her room, packing all her stuff—unsure if she’d ever return.

  But what if her father didn’t want to know her? Fear clutched her heart. As quickly as the horrid thought came to her, she dismissed it. Things had to work out for the best. She needed to find her happy ending.

  * * *

  He was worried.

  And he didn’t know what to do about it, which was so unlike him. He was usually the man with the answers.

  Ric chanced a glance at Gia as their hired car sped down the road toward her meeting with her biological father. She kept clasping and unclasping her hands. She was so excited. She was so certain this was going to be a happy union.

  Ric had been down a similar road, not that he’d ever found his father. And that was the point. He’d been so certain if he wanted something bad enough that everything would work out. It hadn’t.

  And then he realized just because things hadn’t worked out for him that it didn’t mean they wouldn’t for Gia. The truth was that he wanted her to be happy—for her dreams to come true. After all, one of them should have things work out the way they envisioned.

  But he still couldn’t help but worry that she’d set herself up for a fall. If that happened, he’d be there to catch her. He’d do everything in his power to make sure she was all right.

  “Does he know he’s meeting with me?” Gia’s voice cut through Ric’s thoughts.

  “My assistant set up the appointment.”

  “No. What I mean is, does he know he’s meeting his daughter for the first time?” Hope twinkled in her eyes.

  Ric shook his head. “I thought you’d want to tell him yourself.”

  Gia paused as though to think it over. “You’re right. It’s best coming from me. I know it’ll be a shock to him. It certainly was to me. But when he has a chance to absorb the information, I’m sure he’s going to be as excited as I am.”

  “I hope so.” Ric’s gut twisted in a knot. He had a bad feeling about this.

  Gia frowned at him. “Relax. It’s all going to work out. You just have to believe.”

  “I’m trying. But maybe you should also be prepared, in case this doesn’t play out the way you’re envisioning.”

  Gia’s gaze narrowed. Agitation threaded through her voice. “Why are you doing that?”

  “Doing what?”

  “Trying to ruin this for me?”

  “I’m not. I swear. I just don’t want to see you get hurt.”

  At that point the car pulled to a stop in front of a modern office building. The driver opened the rear passenger door for them. When they stepped onto the curb, they saw the man’s name right there on the front of the building.

  Gia rushed inside. Ric’s long, quick strides kept up with her. After checking the directory on the wall, she pressed the button for the elevator.

  Ric leaned close to her and whispered, “No matter what, I’m here for you.”

  She turned to him and smiled. “Thank you. For everything. This is going to be the best day of my life.”

  Or one of the worst. Ric kept the pessimistic thought to himself. Nothing was going to bring Gia’s feet back down to the ground. Her head was filled with dreams of love, laughter and happiness. And he couldn’t blame her. He just hoped the man they were about to meet didn’t burst her bubble.

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  THE ELEVATOR MOVED so slowly.

  And stopped at every floor.

  Gia clasped her hands as she gazed at the floor numbers as they went by. Two more to go. Two more floors until she reached her biological father’s office. Two more floors until she was able to right a wrong. She wondered what her parents would think of what she was about to do.

  She halted her thoughts. She wasn’t going to think about them. She wasn’t going to think about the way they’d kept this vital information from her for her entire life.

  She’d refused to think very much about her parents since she’d learned the truth about her conception. It was better that way. She didn’t want to hate them. They had been good parents to her—more like great parents. Or at least she’d thought they’d been. But do great parents keep a secret of this magnitude from their child?

  The elevator dinged as it stopped one floor from her destination. They were almost there. Excitement bubbled up inside her. What was she going to say to this man?

  She knew this was going to be a shock to her biological father. She shouldn’t expect much at first, but she was certain he would quickly come around.

  She’d used the time on Ric’s private jet to plan out her words. She rehearsed them over and over in her head. She’d perfected them. This was going to work out just fine.

  As the elevator moved to her final destination, she chanced a glance at Ric. His stance was rigid, and the muscle in his cheek jumped. He didn’t come straight out and say it, but he thought this meeting was a mistake. He thought it was going to go terribly wrong. And she understood where he was coming from. He hadn’t had the easiest childhood, and her heart went out to him. But this was different—they were different. It would work out. He’d see.

  Because she couldn’t afford to consider the alternative. If she let herself consider how wrong this meeting could go, she’d back out. She
’d head back to Tuscany and always wonder what might have been. And when she stared in the mirror, she’d always wonder what aspects of herself had been inherited from her biological father.

  The elevator stopped one last time, and then the doors swept open. They stepped out on what looked like marble floors. A grand desk with a beautiful receptionist greeted them. Behind the woman, in big bold letters was her biological father’s surname. Very impressive. He appeared to do very well for himself.

  Gia stepped up to the desk. “Hi. Gia Bartolini to see Mr. Gallo.”

  The woman glanced down at the computer monitor. “Ah, yes. There you are. It’ll be just a moment.” She then spoke softly into her headset before returning her attention to Gia. “Mr. Gallo will be just a few minutes. Please have a seat.”

  “Thank you.” Gia turned to find no expense had been spared in the waiting area. She took a seat in one of the burgundy leather chairs.

  Ric sat beside her. “It’s not too late to change your mind.”

  “If that’s your attempt at a joke, it’s not funny.”

  He didn’t respond. Instead, he put his arm over her shoulders and then leaned in close. “You’ve got this. If he doesn’t love you from the start, he’s a very foolish man.”

  Now this was more like it. She turned to him, finding he was closer than she’d anticipated. “Thank you.” She smiled. “Glad to see you’re coming around.”

  Before he could say more, the receptionist interrupted. “You can go back now. It’s the last door on the left.”

  Suddenly her insides melted into a ball of nerves. When she stood, her knees felt weak. She’d been doing so well. Why now? She had to get it together.

  Ric stood and looked back at her as though wondering why she hadn’t sprung out of the chair and raced down the hallway. She would, if her legs would cooperate.

  His gaze met hers. “You’ve got this.”

  In his gaze she found strength. She drew on it, calming her rising nerves. She could do this. He presented his arm to her, she was tempted to hold on to him, but she resisted.

  “I need to do this on my own.” And then she walked ahead of him.

  She wasn’t sure if Ric was behind her as the carpeting was thick and muffled their footsteps. She thought of glancing back but decided it was best just to focus on her forward momentum, because no matter what she told herself, she was still nervous.

  When she reached the closed wooden doors with Gallo’s name on it, she paused. She drew in a deep breath and slowly exhaled it. Then she did it again. This was as calm as she was going to get. She raised her arm, folded her fingers and rapped on the door.

  “Come in,” said a deep male voice.

  She realized in that moment it was the very first time she’d heard her biological father speak.

  “You have to open the door,” Ric whispered from behind her.

  Oh, yeah. Right. Here goes nothing. Or everything.

  She grasped the doorknob and turned. It was like having an out-of-body experience. For so long now, she’d dreamed about this moment. She wondered what this man would be like. And now it was happening.

  She wasn’t sure how her legs held her up, but somehow she made it inside the massive office without stumbling or totally falling on her face. The man was standing with his back to her. He had dark hair and was short in stature. She’d never imagined him as short. Not that there was anything wrong with it. It just wasn’t how she’d pictured him.

  And then he turned. He was clean-shaven. His suit was gray and obviously didn’t come off a rack. He wore a blue tie that highlighted his blue eyes—so much like her own. But it was his mouth that drew her attention. He was frowning. Was he frowning at her? Or was that just his general disposition?

  “You wanted to see me,” Mr. Gallo said, not bothering to offer her a seat. “My assistant said it was a matter of importance, but yet I don’t know you and we’ve never done business, have we?”

  Gia’s mouth was dry. Her tongue was stuck to the roof of her mouth. She swallowed hard, hoping when she spoke that she didn’t betray her anxiety. “No.” When he arched a brow, she continued. “We’ve never met.”

  “I didn’t think so. I don’t recognize the name, and I am good with names. I don’t have much time so tell me why you insisted on seeing me.”

  Not exactly the cordial greeting she’d been hoping for, but it would change once she told him who she was. “I am Gia Bartolini. I... I believe you knew my mother, Carla Bartolini.” When there was no recognition in his eyes, Gia realized perhaps that wasn’t the name her mother had used when she met him. “Or perhaps you knew her as Carla Ferrari.”

  Still there was no recognition in his eyes. “I don’t know you. And I don’t know your mother. Is there a point to this meeting?”

  “You’re my father.”

  Oh, no! Had she just blurted it out? By the darkening look on the man’s face, she’d say yes, she’d thrown the bombshell into the room.

  And he didn’t look happy. Not at all. She felt Ric move directly behind her as though to bolster her should she need it. But she could do this. After all, she’d anticipated that her biological father would be shocked at first. Who wouldn’t be?

  Once she explained, he’d understand. And so she started to explain about her parents dying and discovering the journal—

  “Stop.” His hand moved through the air as though cutting off her words. “I don’t need to hear this. I’m not your father. If you came here for a handout—”

  “A handout?” Was he serious? By the line of his brows, he was very serious. “I don’t need your money. I have money of my own. I came here so we could get to know each other.”

  Mr. Gallo shook his head. “I’m not your father—”

  “But my mother—”

  “And I don’t know your mother. Even if I did, that was a long time ago. I have my own family. I’m not looking for any strays.”

  Gia inhaled a swift breath. Did he just call her a stray? Tears pricked the backs of her eyes, but she refused to let this man—this horrible little man—see them.

  “I must have made a mistake,” she said, backing toward the door.

  “That’s more like it,” Mr. Gallo said. “Don’t come back looking for a handout. I’ll see you in court first.”

  Gia turned and headed for the door. The rest of the way out of the building was an utter blur. It wasn’t until she was in the backseat of the car with Ric pressing a drink of water into her hand that she realized it was over. It was so over.

  How could she have been so wrong? How could she be related to someone so cold—so miserable?

  * * *

  He wanted to make this better.

  He wanted to stop the pain.

  But Ric couldn’t do either of those things for Gia. Why did he have to be right this time? He’d have been thrilled to be wrong—for Gia to get her happy ending.

  He glanced over at her as she sat close to the door, leaving a huge gap of seat between them. Her face was turned to the window, taking in the sights of the city. He doubted she truly saw any of it.

  His heart was breaking for her. She was stuffing all her disappointment and rejection deep down inside. He wanted her to open up to him—to tell him whatever was on her mind—but she’d become unusually quiet.

  The best thing he could do for her was to get them home. He grabbed his phone from his pocket and texted his pilot, letting him know to ready the plane for a return trip. In the meantime, he’d just quietly wait for Gia to speak—if she’d let him in.

  When the car pulled to a stop in front of their hotel, Ric joined her off to the side of the large glass doors leading to the lobby. Gia stopped there as though lost in her thoughts. It was only then in the bright Italian sunlight that he noticed the ghostly pallor of her face.

  He moved in close to her, in case she wanted to lean
on him or needed a hug. But he didn’t make the first move. He didn’t want to do anything that would cause her more stress.

  “Don’t worry,” he said. “I contacted the pilot. He’ll have the plane ready to go just as soon as you’re ready to leave.”

  Gia nodded but didn’t say a word. He wasn’t sure if she really heard him. She was stunned and disappointed. Who could blame her?

  She entered the hotel and headed straight for the elevator. On the way up to their suite, her phone dinged. She pulled it from her purse and checked the screen.

  She turned to him. “We can’t leave. Not before dinner.”

  Just then the elevator beeped as it reached their floor and the door slid open. All the while, Ric couldn’t help but wonder what had changed. Why would she want to stay? There was no way that man had changed his mind about getting to know Gia. It was totally his loss, as she was the most amazing person. Just her smile was enough to brighten up the world—at least, his world.

  Ric used his keycard to let them in the suite. “Is there something you need to do before we leave?”

  She nodded. “I’d like to meet an old family friend for dinner.”

  His gaze searched hers. She looked worn out and defeated. “Are you sure that’s a good idea? Maybe another time would be better.”

  She shook her head. “I’m fine. You were right. I shouldn’t have gotten my hopes up.”

  “I’m sorry. I never wanted to be wrong more in my life.”

  “I know.” She sent him a smile, but it never reached her big beautiful eyes. “I’m just going to answer some emails and stuff until dinner.”

  “But what about lunch?”

  She shook her head. “I’m not hungry.”

  “I’ll order extra just in case you change your mind.”

  She was already walking away, leaving him alone with his thoughts. People seemed to think that having a lot of money could fix all of life’s problems, but he’d be the first to attest that it couldn’t. If it could, he’d give up his fortune to give Gia the family she wanted.