Again Gio’s phone went to voicemail.
His voice triggered her heart to melt though and as she blinked, she finally heard what her heart had been saying.
She was absolutely, one hundred percent in love with Gio. She had been for a while. Wow, she’d been so blind.
This was what her heart kept trying to say and she’d ignored.
Not anymore.
She tapped her fingers to her thigh as she saw the man with his tablet getting impatient and pointing to the others behind her. She quickly hung up and dialed her best friend while she mumbled under her breath, “Serenity, answer.” But once again, the call went to voicemail. She hung up and said, “Ugh, why is no one answering tonight.”
The curb attendant tapped the tablet. “Address?”
She took his arm in her hand and batted her eyes. She needed to get back to Gio, fast. “Do you have a phone book? I need to find Giorgio Morgan.”
“Si.” He typed, then showed her. “The House of Morgan.”
She clapped with relief. “Yes. Si. The House of Morgan.”
He pointed her toward the taxi and she slipped inside after giving him a nice tip.
The driver didn’t ask any questions as he drove into the city rather than down a country road. Kiwi held her tongue as she honestly didn’t know anything about Italy until he stopped at the store that read The House of Morgan.
Drat. They thought she was here to shop.
She glanced at the driver, who didn’t speak English. Without an address, she couldn’t apologize and talk to Gio in person.
She held her phone like she’d call her friends and coworkers, but another thought hit her.
Surely someone inside the store would know Gio’s address so she paid her fare as she said, “His store. Hmm. Okay.”
The taxi driver took off as she stepped toward the store, but once again she dialed Gio’s phone.
Again she went to voicemail. If she called Serenity, she’d hold over her head the ‘I saw straight through to your heart and knew this’ card. She’d call her next if that was her only option, but Kiwi needed to speak to him and left a voicemail as she said, “Gio, please call or text me. I need your address. I’m lost in Milan.”
She then reached for the door handle as an awful thought occurred. What if he wasn’t answering on purpose? Leaving when she did looked bad. Really, really bad. Almost unforgiveable. She winced at the memory. Kiwi needed to see him—even if he kicked her out of his house, she had to try. She pulled the door open and walked over to the counter and spoke to an older man. “I’m looking for Giorgio Morgan.”
“He’s not here, signorina.” He answered in English and then nodded. “May I help you?”
Kiwi straightened her shoulders with false confidence. “Do you have an address for the manor? With the vineyard and pretty veranda? Two stories…” She’d keep describing if it proved she knew him.
The clerk smiled and snapped his fingers. “Si. Giorgio’s villa.”
A huge smile grew on her face as she snapped back mimicking his gesture and raising her hand in the air like she’d just won the lottery. “Yes, do you have the address?”
The older man’s his face turned serious. “Does he know you?”
“I’m… having his baby.” Love had almost just blurted out of her mouth. She swallowed and patted her stomach. “And I was there but got lost without writing down the address.”
The man covered his mouth with both hands as he walked around the counter and then looked at her still flat belly and then back at her. “Congratulations!”
She reached out and took both of his hands in hers and squeezed. “Si. Can you get me there?”
He motioned for a younger woman in the back who looked like his daughter and waved for her. She didn’t stop and ask why he needed his daughter to come too. Right now she needed to see Gio and work out the rest later. The man said, “We’ll close and drive you ourselves. Giorgio is a lucky man.”
“Thank you!” Kiwi’s heart raced as the kind older gentleman reached for his car keys.
The younger woman grabbed a scarf and locked the front door, but then out of the back, his brother walked out in a new suit and a third tailor who clipped the back. Kiwi stopped and ignored the zip in her veins that she was finally on her way and said, “Anthony! Gio’s not answering.”
Anthony’s lips were thin as he stared at the two workers who were ushering her to go with them. “He doesn’t want to see you, Kiwi. I suggest you go back to the airport now.”
Her heart crumpled like a used piece of paper about to be thrown in the trash, but she held her head up. Gio had warned her about his brother and she needed to hear from Gio himself that he didn’t want to see her. But first she needed to apologize. She swallowed and took a step to follow her helpers as she said, “I need to see him. I was wrong.”
She walked to the back door with the two workers as Anthony called out behind her. “Fine, but Kiwi, don’t hurt my brother.”
Anthony sounded like he cared, which was a good thing. “I have no intention of doing that.”
The older man started his BMW and she took the seat in the back. “Thank you for driving me.”
The younger Italian woman in the front seat closed the door and they took off as she said, “No problem. We love helping people in love.”
The word love reverberated through her. She’d never sought out love. Never thought she needed it. Clearly she was an absolute fool. Adrenaline rushed through her as she watched the drive. She recognized the country roads and relaxed into her seat. Kiwi called his cell again, but again there was no answer. She left a voicemail. “Gio, I wish you’d answer. I went to your store and two of your workers are giving me a ride. I’m coming home now.”
She hung up the phone and realized the word home came so naturally. With Gio she felt like she belonged somewhere and in a family unit she’d chosen for herself. No man had ever made her feel like this. Love snuck up on her and now seemed so obvious.
She had to at least tell him, to his face that she was sorry and she loved him.
Before she knew it, she realized they were on Gio’s property already. Her hands shook as she stared at the gorgeous villa. The BMW car pulled onto the driveway. “Thank you!”
She hopped out of the car and rushed up the steps.
This morning felt like a lifetime ago. She knocked, her knees wobbly as she said to herself, “Please answer.”
The older maid with a tight gray bun answered and opened the door wide for her. Kiwi slipped inside, turning back to wave at the nice man before entering. The house seemed ominously quiet as she asked, “Where are Gio and his son?”
The maid blinked her brown eyes at her and closed the door. “Everyone left for the airport, signorina.”
Seriously? She’d just left there. Kiwi’s hand went to her hip. Was this some sort of prank? “You’re joking.”
The maid just stared at her blankly as she said, “No. They even took Francesca for her first trip to the US.”
“Who is Francesca?”
“Young Thomas’ new nurse maid.”
“That’s good.” Great. Maybe Gio turned his phone off for the duration of the flight. She closed her eyes and took a moment. Somehow she needed to talk to him. “Does the plane have a phone number?”
“Yes, of course.” The maid walked over to a side table and pulled out a small yellow sticky pad, writing the number down. Once she was done, she handed it to Kiwi. “Miss, you’re welcome to stay. You look exhausted.”
Kiwi nodded her thanks and pointed toward the library deciding to go in and rest her feet. “I am tired. Does Gio ever call and check in?”
“Your luggage is all still upstairs.” The maid walked with Kiwi to the library. “We’ll wake you if he calls. Get some rest.”
Her kindness soothed Kiwi’s nerves. Kiwi hugged her belly as if to protect her baby. “I will. I want to call Gio and my mother and then I’ll go up and take a shower. Thank you.”
The
maid nodded her approval. “We need you to stay strong for your baby.”
“You’re sweet.” Kiwi never had an older Italian woman looking at her like she needed to eat more too though she didn’t say that at all. It was just a feeling Kiwi had.
After the maid left, Kiwi plopped into the seat and took out her cell phone. Once again it went to voicemail as she said, “Gio, I’ve been trying to get to you. I’m so sorry for walking away. I read the suicide note and freaked out. I’m at your house and I’m not sure what I should do. I wish you were here so I could apologize in person.”
She clicked off her phone and closed her eyes, resting her head. If Gio was here, she’d wrap her arms around him and tell him she was sorry.
Leaving had been the stupidest thing she’d done and he might hate her now. Thinking about him with another woman just left her so cold. Clearly she’d been delusional because she loved him.
Love was so obvious now that she looked back. And now her blindness might have ruined the best thing she’d ever had.
And love meant she needed to take a chance. She swallowed and then opened her eyes. The house was still so silent. She checked the time and hoped she converted it right. It was already late. She swallowed and realized her ten was probably her mother’s four AM, but her mother always woke at that time. She’d said for years that the early morning quiet time gave her peace of mind. Kiwi dialed, hoping her mother answered. A moment later she heard the click and her mother’s voice. Without a word, Kiwi opened her eyes and said, “Mom, oh thank you for answering.”
Her mother sounded like herself as she said, “I’m cooking breakfast.”
She’d eat at precisely five AM. Her mother was predictable and right now, thankfully so. Kiwi swallowed and said, “If Gio comes to your door today, please tell him I’m at his house in Italy.”
Her mother made a tisk sound and then put her spatula down with a smack. “You’re at his house and he’s not there?”
Kiwi could imagine her mother’s every move. She was making scrambled eggs and toast today. Her nose could almost smell the cheese she added. “Yes. I got lost and he thinks I went home, but I’m still in Italy.”
“Sounds confusing, sweetheart, but okay.” Her mother didn’t argue.
“Thanks, Mom.” Kiwi closed her eyes to pray again.
Her mother’s sweet-like-pie voice then asked, “Did you fall in love with that man, Kiwi?”
Her skin zapped like she’d been caught stealing a cookie so she crossed her arms. “And if I did?”
“Find a way to stay yourself and be happy with him, my girl.”
Kiwi’s eyes widened. Something had happened to her mother. She adjusted the tight waist on her dress. “You didn’t tell me to be strong and independent this time.”
“You brought him home and the flowers he sends to me daily are lovely. All my friends are impressed. Your father never did anything like this for me, your grandmother or even you. I thought men who sent flowers were just the stuff of fairy tales.”
“Glad you like them.” She hung up the phone. At least her mom was reliable but she’d had no idea Gio had sent her mother flowers.
No one was around. She headed upstairs for that shower and to wait. She made it to the bedroom and stared at the bed she’d shared with Gio.
She wished he was back. She took her phone out of her pocketbook and dialed the number the maid gave her. No one answered. She closed her eyes and decided something else. She quickly texted him. Gio, it’s Kiwi. I’m at your villa. I never should have left. I’m sorry. Please call me back.
Once she hit send, she heard a second ding. She went to the dresser and saw his phone lying there. The light flashed that he had messages—hers.
At least she knew why he hadn’t answered her—he’d forgotten his phone. She took the extra charger and plugged hers in and then headed into the shower.
The solitude in this villa was eerie after all of the company. She ignored the sensation and headed into the bathroom. The warm water running against her skin relaxed her muscles.
Night set outside the window and she could see the moon in the sky as she let herself out of the bathroom and into clean cotton shorts and a shirt for bed.
As she returned to the bedroom, Gio was picking up his phone. His eyes widened when he saw her and asked, “Kiwi?”
Every nerve in her body wanted to throw her arms around him and hold him tight as she stood in her light cotton purple pajama set. Instead she came so close she could smell his cedar aftershave. “Gio, I don’t want to lose you.”
She stared up at him waiting for any response.
He put his phone back down but didn’t reach for her. “We went to the airport to say goodbye to my family.”
All the Morgans were gone? Including Serenity. All except the only one that mattered. She met Gio’s gaze and wished he’d say more, but she then turned around and glanced around the room. “Where is Tom?”
He pointed toward the door. “He’s in his nursery in the next room.”
She took another step toward him and could feel the heat of his body through his clothes. Her own body heated as a result though she only said, “I thought you were going too?”
He took her hand and a familiar spark bloomed as he said, “My staff said you were here so we came home.”
Did this mean he forgave her? She ignored the beat in her heart and asked, “Can I see him?”
He took a step back and the sense of loss was tangible. Her lips had lingered for his kiss though she hadn’t tried. Instead he walked her toward the door. “Yes. Of course. But why did you come back?”
She stopped him. She pressed her hands on his shoulders and had him face her again. This time she needed to tell him. “Because I realized I made a huge mistake. I read the suicide note-”
“About her suicide and cancer?” he interrupted her.
“Right.” She’d chosen the wrong words to lead with. She leaned closer and said, “I only really focused on her belief that you would have married Piper to get your son.”
His lips tightened. She held still as he said, “I never asked her to marry me. I have only asked you.”
“Because I’m pregnant?” If he only wanted her because of their daughter then she’d be broken. She loved him. Did he love her too? She just stared at him and wondered. And she shouldn’t hold back. She needed to tell him.
He took her hands in his. “No, because you make me happy.”
Happy was good but she needed more. They both deserved it all. This was her only shot at telling him her truth, but it was better to ask everything now. She tilted her head. “Would you have married Piper?”
He held the door for her like walking together wasn’t a big deal as he asked, “Do you want the truth or a lie?”
At least they were alone, even in the halls as she walked beside him and said, “The truth.”
He pressed his hand on her back and her skin lit up like a Christmas tree under her shirt. “Piper clearly wasn’t thinking straight. I wished she’d just left me my son here and not killed herself and released the sex tape to remind me we had sex. I hate thinking Tom was in danger.”
“True.” If she hadn’t run, she’d have realized that sooner. The word marriage had set her off.
Now it was time to talk about loving him because honestly that was all that mattered. He opened the door to the nursery and she saw a small baby in a white crib.
If he allowed her, she’d be mother to this boy too as well as their daughter. She gently smoothed her hand over Tom’s bald head, overwhelmed with a feeling of protectiveness toward this baby.
Gio watched them both closely. She took her hand back to not wake the infant. He escorted her out of the nursery and once he closed the door, he said, “And if Piper had told me before, and I could have protected my son from anything she might have done, then yes, I’d have married her, but I wouldn’t have been happy about it.”
Fair. She pressed her palm to her stomach. She’d do anything she co
uld to protect this baby she hadn’t even met yet. In the hall, with huge portraits of medieval Italian men staring at her, she felt out of place and alone. Kiwi held her hands in front of her and said, “I see. Would you be happy marrying me?”
He reached for her hands again and said, “If you let us, then yes.”
But that wasn’t a declaration of love. Unsure what to say, Kiwi went with him back to their bedroom. As he closed the door, she said, “I should have talked to you instead of running. There is something I need to say and I’m happy Anthony was wrong today.”
“My brother?”
She turned toward him as he walked closer to her. “Your brother said you didn’t want to see me?”
“Anthony?” His heels clicked as he followed her like a soldier in the army.
“Yeah.” She nodded. “I saw him at your store when I was trying to get back here to see you.”
He scratched his chin. “I thought he flew to America with Jennifer.”
“No. He was at your store.” She took a deep breath. She needed to tell him how she felt. Now. No more waiting.
Before she could say anything, Gio shrugged and said, “I have no idea and I don’t care what’s going on with Anthony. What matters is that you’re back now.” He pulled off his polo shirt. “Everything’s fine. Let’s go to bed. I’m exhausted.”
“That’s it?” Her eyes were wide open and she didn’t budge as he unbuckled his belt and let his pants fall. She needed to ‘fess up to just how much she loved him.
He cocked his eyebrow. “Did you want more?”
Love. But right now she needed to think hard about how to bring that up. Maybe it was kinder to wait until he was awake and clear-headed? She wasn’t sure, but he stripped to his underwear and tugged on the bedsheets. She stepped forward and said, “No. I guess not. Okay, let’s go to sleep.”
She turned off the lights and slipped in the bed beside him. Tomorrow she’d tell him. He needed sleep. She’d tell him first thing in the morning that she loved him, more than anyone else in the world. His strong muscular frame beside her made her ache for all of him, but right now she wasn’t sure what else to do.
Secret Match Page 14