“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.