Loving Gigi by Ruth Cardello Page B

pastries. If her mother hadn’t been there she would have told him exactly where he could go.
    And why hadn’t her mother told her he was coming? After Kane left, and he would be leaving soon, she would have a talk with her mother. She knew Gigi didn’t like surprises.
    Of course, to Mamma, he’s only Gio’s friend, here to try to sway me into changing my mind. She doesn’t know about the added layer of humiliation I felt at his rejection . . . that he is the only man I’ve thrown myself at, only to be laughed off.
    Stings like that linger.
    Gigi considered leaving, taking a water taxi and hopping on the next flight home. She didn’t have to stick around and be spoken about as if she were an errant child. She was a successful businesswoman. People respected her opinion. She didn’t need to prove herself here.
    It’s time stop hiding, Luisella. Kane’s words replayed in her head.
    Gigi picked up the tray and straightened her shoulders. I’m not hiding, and no one can make me do anything I don’t want to do. I’ll be nice to Kane for Mamma’s benefit, then send him on his way.
    She pushed the swinging kitchen door open with one hip. And I’ll do it calmly, gracefully. Because I am not the emotional wreck he met three years ago.
    Not that I care what he thinks of me.
    Gigi stopped at the doorway of the parlor. Kane stood at her arrival, but he was alone.
    “Your mother said she was tired and retired to her room.”
    Gigi forced herself to start walking again. She placed the tray on a table in front of one of the settees. “I’ll check on her after you leave, but for now, please sit.” See? Perfectly civilized and in control.
    Kane took a seat beside the tray and watched her intently while he took a long sip. “Ah, nothing like Italian espresso. It’s different back home.” He replaced the cup on the tray and sat back. “However, it’s not what I’m here for.”
    Gigi stood behind one of the chairs. She felt like a hare caught in the sights of a wolf. It was exciting even though she had no intention of going with him or bolting. “I appreciate that you’ve come a long way to speak with me. I’m sorry to say, though, you’ve wasted your time.”
    He raised an eyebrow, but didn’t seem put-off by her statement. “Not a waste at all, I had to come here to understand you. You’re a liar, little Gigia.”
    Gigi opened her mouth to deny it, then answered shortly, “Once. One lie.”
    Kane stood and approached her. “Hardly. I’m sure I wasn’t the only person you lied to that day.”
    “Only because I didn’t want people to know I was there.”
    He continued to speak while walking toward her. “Why would anyone sneak into a wedding they’d been invited to?”
    Gigi gripped the back of the chair with one hand. “I was curious, that’s all.”
    Stopping just inches away, Kane loomed above her. “Another lie. They fall from your lips so easily. I wonder if you believe them yourself.”
    With Kane so close, Gigi was finding it difficult to concentrate on anything besides the breadth of his shoulders and the lure of his dark eyes. She gulped. “Get out of my house.”
    He ran a hand lightly down one of her cheeks. “When I leave, you’re coming with me. Tell me, Gigi, do you still swear like a sailor?”
    Mesmerized by his voice, it was impossible to be offended by his words. Her lips parted involuntarily, and she raised her chin. “You deserved what I said.”
    Kane rubbed a thumb across her bottom lip. “Did I? Because I refused you?”
    Pride warred with common sense. If he couldn’t even remember how she’d embarrassed herself that evening, did reminding him of it serve any purpose except to embarrass herself again? She needed to back away from him, forget about the incident that had apparently not meant much to him. “Because you laughed when you did.”
    He took her chin in his hand and held her face so he could look down into her eyes. “Is that what you thought? If I laughed, it