Smile. Do what you do best. Act. Pretend to be happy.
At the small of her back, she felt a large hand and, without looking at its owner, she knew exactly who it was.
It wasn’t necessary for her to pretend to be happy. Shewashappy, and it was in part due to Jake. His azure eyes, crinkled at the corners, looked down at her. She could tell Jake was worried about her.
His eyes seemed to ask if she was okay.
She leaned into his side with a reassuring smile.
I am now.
His shoulders relaxed, though he pushed back a photographer who got too close.
Jake made her feel safe even when she was being circled by sharks who smelled blood in the water. He was her protector, and he would never let anything or anyone hurt her ever again.
Bolstered by the blanket of safety, she picked up the kitten she had been playing with when they swarmed the community center and stepped forward. With Jake at her back, she nuzzled the kitten closer to her chest and smiled at the cameras.
Within minutes, pictures of her would flood the internet, and it would be on her terms.
“Thank you all for coming,” she said, voice firm as she looked into their eyes, asserting her dominance of the situation. “We would love any donations for our town’s animal shelter and clinic. As you can see, there are many adoptable pets that need a home.” She held up the scruffy tuxedo kitten in her arms. “Like this cutie right here.”
The cameras flashed as she placed a gentle kiss on its head, and she felt his purrs more than heard them.
“Gia! Can you tell us what happened with Alex?” someone shouted near the front.
“Who?” she asked, acting like she had no clue who they were talking about.
“Alex, your ex,” another voice chimed in.
“No comment. Here, take this kitten.” She handed the furball to the nearest photographer, who held it as if it were a bomb. “If you’re not here to help, please leave,” she stated before turning her back and walking away, ignoring the shouts of protest.
She walked up to Marley, who raised her hand in a high five in greeting.
“Nice job,” Marley said.
Smiling, she returned the high five. “Thanks, Marley.”
Luke came over with a bright smile on his face. “The donations have started coming in already!” He grabbed her shoulders gently. “Gia… thank you. This is going to make such a huge difference. I don’t think I can ever thank you enough.”
Gia smiled, tears in her eyes. Luke grimaced and dropped his hands when Jake clapped him hard on the shoulder in a gesture she knew meanthands off.
She watched Luke walk away, floating on cloud nine.
“You did good, Kitten.” Jake pulled her into his arms.
“You really think so?” she asked.
“Best performance yet. You deserve an Oscar award.” She smiled, nuzzling into his chest. “Thao would have loved being here, seeing you like this.”
There was no stopping the tears that fell. She sensed the truth, but more than that, shefelthis presence. “It feels like he’s here with us.” For the first time in a while, she could feel her brother again.
He tipped her chin up, bending his head as she stood on tiptoes to meet his kiss. “I know what you mean.” Jake’s eyes glittered with emotion.
The cameras went wild, but she didn’t care who saw.
She didn’t care about anyone else’s opinion of her anymore.
Thirty-Four
