Ric reached out, taking his hand in hers. No words were needed. His presence and show of support meant the world to her. If they were seated closer, she’d have leaned her head on his shoulder—
“Sorry, I’m late.” The familiar gravelly male voice interrupted the quiet moment.
Gia and Ric withdrew their hands. She noticed the distinct coldness where just moments ago he’d been touching her.
She pasted on her brightest smile, as it was so good to see Vincent D’Angelo again. In a way, it was like having a piece of her parents back because they’d been such good friends with Vincent. In fact, they’d been so close that he was Enzo’s godfather.
Vincent rounded the table. “Gia, I’m so sorry.” The tall man with a broad chest enveloped her in a warm hug. When he pulled back, he said, “I was out of the country when I heard the news, and it was too late to make it back for the funeral.”
“I understand. The flowers you sent were beautiful.” She couldn’t remember exactly which bouquet was his, but she recalled seeing his name on one of the many arrangements, and they were all stunning. She turned to Ric. “And I’d like to introduce you to m-my...” She stuttered, not sure what title to give Ric as their relationship was so complicated. And so she settled on “Ric Moretti.”
Vincent leaned over and shook Ric’s extended hand. “It’s good to meet you.”
Once they were all seated, they ordered pasta and made small talk, allowing the men to get to know each other a little.
And then Vincent turned to her. “It’s been far too long. You remind me so much of your parents. You have your mother’s beautiful looks and your father’s easiness. I could always talk to him about anything.”
His words were like a balm on her wounded heart. “You really think so?”
“I do. They were so proud of you. Any time I visited with them, they’d fill me in on all your accomplishments. You and your brother and sister were the highlights of their lives.”
Gia genuinely smiled as memories of her parents crowded in her mind. They were caring and loving. She’d spent all this time searching for something she’d already had—parents who loved her. No one could replace them or their love.
And they weren’t truly gone. They lived on in her heart and her memories. Instead of fighting the memories, she had to welcome them—accepting the pain of loss as well as the happiness found in those memories.
Gia turned to Ric. “Vincent owns a vast shipping company. It always has him on the road.” Out of the corner of her eye, she caught Vincent nodding in agreement. “I thought you two could help each other. He could certainly use your program, and he has a stellar reputation in the transportation community. And I might have mentioned your ultimate goal is to use your program to help get supplies to those in need.”
“Yes, she did,” Vincent said. “I am very interested in hearing more.”
Ric glanced at her. His eyes were dark and unreadable. It was as if suddenly a wall had gone up between them. But she told herself it was just the surprise she’d sprung on him. Everything would be all right in the end.
Ric was hesitant to reveal much at first, but Vincent just kept talking. No wonder he was so successful at what he did. He could talk most everyone into seeing things his way. And though Ric was hesitant at first, the more Vincent talked, the more Ric talked.
Gia smiled. This was all going to work out.
* * *
What had happened?
Gia had planned this without mentioning it to him.
Throughout the dinner, he’d avoided eye contact with her. He felt as though she’d somehow betrayed him, but he’d done his best to hold it all in during the meal—a meal he’d barely tasted.
Ric had promised to meet with Vincent again to go over details of his program and show him what it had done on a small scale for Gia’s boutique hotel business. But he wasn’t happy about it. Still, he was a businessman first, and this was an opportunity that he just couldn’t ignore—even if he wanted to.
Because this was a pity offering.
Gia didn’t believe in him enough to think he could pull off this project on his own. It reminded him of his mother.
But in spite of everything, he’d made a success of himself—a self-made man.
Gia didn’t get to take that away from him. Sure, he might have had a setback with Mr. Grosso, but he hadn’t given up. He had other options. He just hadn’t had time to explore them.
On the ride home, Gia tried to make conversation, but he wasn’t in the mood to speak, only giving her a nod or one-word answer.
It wasn’t until they were in their suite that he turned to her and asked, “What have you done?”
Her eyes widened with surprise. “I... I was helping you.”