After filling their bellies, they sipped on Aperol spritzes in the waning twilight, a candle flickering between them. Matt reached across the table, and taking Gina’s hand in his, he raised her fingers to his lips and kissed them. “We need to talk, bunny.”
“See? I knew it.” She pulled her hand away. “Something’s wrong.”
“Nothing’s wrong, baby, I swear it. Now, c’mere,” he said, patting his lap. Gina went to him and sat. “Tony came to see me today. He knows about us.”
“You told him?”
With his cheeks puffed out, Matt released a breath. “No, but somebody did.”
“Who?”
“He wouldn’t tell me.”
But I’ve got a pretty good idea.
Worrying her lip, Gina gazed at him. “He’s mad, isn’t he?”
Heh. You could say that.
“Don’t worry, he’ll come around.” Matt tightened his arm around her and sighed. “But I need you to be prepared.”
“For what? My mother’s wrath?” With a shake of her head, she turned her face away.
He touched her chin and brought her back to him. “Yeah, and for what’s likely to happen next.”
“And what’s that?” She wet her lips. “You’re scaring me.”
Matt tipped his head toward her, smoothing Gina’s hair down her back. “There are photos of us together, so expect to see them circulating out there.”
“Oh, I don’t care about that.”
She didn’t understand. Not yet. He’d protect her as much as he could, but like Ava and Chloe, Gina would need a thick skin to deal with the media and the parasocial dissection of their relationship.
“You will. The media can be… let’s just say they don’t always play nice.” Matt adjusted her on his lap so she straddled him, then lowered his forehead to hers. “You’ve got to tell your parents before Tony does, or before they see it inThe National Enquirer.”
“Okay, now I’m scared for real,” she said, rubbing the khaki that covered her thighs.
“You have nothing to fear, baby.” He stilled her fidgety hands, covering them with his own. “I’ll tell them with you if you want me to.”
Gina pulled her head back, giving him a pointed look.
“Or not.” With a chuckle, Matt tucked a wave of dark chocolate behind her ear. “Do you know what I love most about you?”
“No, what?”
“You’re fearless. Independent,” he said, tipping her chin up. “You don’t need me. You want me. There’s a difference.”
“I don’t feel all that fearless at the moment.”
“I know, but you are.” He pressed a tender kiss to her forehead. “You’re free to be yourself with me, bunny, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. I don’t want to stifle you ever. I don’t want to change who you are or what you feel, but I want to watch you grow. Because growth can’t change who a person is at their core.”
“But you have changed me, Matt. In all the best ways.” She collared his neck, clasping him against her. “I’m not the same girl who carried a pizza to your door.”
“I’ve changed, too, Gina.”
He kissed her.
I’m a better man, and it’s all because of you.
