Never one to pass up an opportunity to give him a hard time, Matt spoke up before Duncan answered. “She realized she could do better.”
“You're not funny,” Gianna said, glaring at Matt.
“Well, he's funny-looking.” Although they had yet to decide on which poker style they were playing, Alec shuffled the cards.
Gianna nodded. “I can't argue with you there.”
“Tory and I decided it wasn't working.”
His cousin studied him and slightly shook her head. “I noticed the way you looked at her last week. There's more to it than it wasn't working. But if you don't want to share, that’s fine.”
Of course Gianna would know he was holding something back, but he didn't want to get into it tonight—or maybe ever.
“Is everyone good with Texas Hold’em tonight?” The sooner they focused on something other than his love life, the better.
Five hours later, Duncan sat watching television with his cousin while Alec slept with his head in Gianna's lap. After Matt left, his wallet much lighter than when he walked in, thanks to Gianna, the three of them gathered in the entertainment room. Halfway through the first episode of a series they all liked, Alec fell asleep. He hadn't made a sound since.
“I'm going to get a drink. Do you want me to get you anything, so you don't have to disturb Sleeping Beauty?” Duncan gestured toward his friend as he stood.
“Can you get me a root beer if there are any left or a seltzer water?”
“I'll see what I have.”
Operating under the old saying, out of sight, out of mind, he'd left his cell phone in his bedroom when he came home tonight. As he walked back to the other room, he considered making a detour and checking to see if he had any messages from Tory.
It's not going to happen.So rather than face disappointment, Duncan kept going.
“Here you go.” He handed his cousin the can and then returned to his spot and unpaused the show.
For a few minutes, the only sound came from the sound system speakers. But the way Gianna kept looking at him instead of the screen told him that wouldn't be the case for long.
“Since Matt is gone and Alec's asleep, do you want to talk about Tory?”
“There's not much to talk about, Gi.”
“I don't believe you. You wouldn't have brought her to the island twice and introduced her to everyone if you didn't care a lot about her. So what happened between last week and today? Maybe I can help.”
Gianna meant well. “There is no way anyone can help. Tory believes I was with her for her connections.”
“That makes no sense. Why would she think that?”
Since it was easier than getting her to drop the matter, Duncan shared his and Tory's last conversation. Tonight, like then, he didn't understand how she could believe that about him.
“People make mistakes. Tory might realize she did and come around.”
He didn't see that happening. “Even if she does, in my experience, most people won't admit when they're wrong.” Duncan raised his glass to his mouth so his cousin wouldn't see his frown.
“If she cares enough, she will. I did this summer with Alec.”
His cousin caught his attention with that comment, and since she was prying into his life, he'd do the same. Swallowing his water, Duncan put the glass down. “What mistake did you make?”
Gianna closed her eyes as she pinched the bridge of her nose, a clear sign she wished she'd kept her mouth shut. “Alec never told you what happened?”
“Nope.” If he had, Duncan wouldn’t be asking now.
Sighing, she looked at him. “Right before Alec started working at the foundation, I assumed some things about him and ended our relationship.”
“Whatever it was, you could've called me, and I would've told you that you were wrong.” The only person he knew better than his cousin was Alec.