Total pages in book: 91
Estimated words: 92368 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 462(@200wpm)___ 369(@250wpm)___ 308(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 92368 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 462(@200wpm)___ 369(@250wpm)___ 308(@300wpm)
Gigi was really excited to find out that she had two uncles and an auntie. After having just me and Aunt Elle for so long, it must be amazing for her to have all these new people in her life.
Missy and Lo are home from college for the weekend to meet Gigi. They’re staying with Ares in New York because his place is bigger than Zeus’s.
Zeus is renting a two-bedroom apartment on Main Street that overlooks the water.
It’s nice but basic. But that’s Zeus. He’s never been one to go for the flash.
The only reason he’s ever fought is to earn money to care for his siblings.
How did I ever think that he could’ve walked away from Gigi?
But then again, I wasn’t exactly in the best place at the time. I believed that he’d slept with another woman, and I was dealing with finding out he wasn’t the man I’d thought he was. So, it was easy to be tricked into believing that he wanted nothing to do with his unborn child.
“All ready?” Aunt Elle wanders into the kitchen where I’m just finishing up prepping the food for the Kincaids.
I thought it would be nice to make it like a little party for Gigi. Meet-the-other-half-of-your-family-for-the-first-time kind of thing. So, I’ve made sandwiches and finger foods along with some cupcakes. I just want it to be nice for everyone.
“Yeah, all ready.” I smile a little too brightly for it to be real.
“It’s gonna be all right, Cam.”
“You’ve been saying that a lot recently.”
“Yeah, and I’ve been right every time.”
I’m feeling really nervous about seeing them after all this time. I’m worried that they blame me for Zeus not knowing about Gigi.
Aunt Elle is staying for moral support—or, in her words, she’s here in case anyone upsets me, so she can kick their ass.
Zeus assures me that they don’t blame me, just like he doesn’t.
I didn’t openly volunteer my concerns to him. He just knew.
And that’s because he knows me. He knows my tells when I’m worried or nervous.
And, last night, after putting Gigi to bed—he’s been staying to tuck her in and read her a story, and then he leaves and goes back to his apartment—I was in the kitchen, making the cupcakes for today, feeling stressed, and he came in and asked me what was worrying me.
I said, “Nothing.”
He said, “Bullshit.”
Then, he told me what I was worrying about and then set about reassuring me.
Sometimes, I hate that he knows me so well.
It makes everything so much harder.
I’ve been trying to process what he told me. That he never cheated on me. That he’s still in love with me.
Truthfully, I don’t know what to do with it.
He hasn’t said any more about it since that night, and I’m glad for that because it’s not something I want to face right now.
I love Zeus. I always have. He’s Gigi’s father. I’m always going to feel something for him. And, of course, I’m attracted to him. It’s Zeus, for God’s sake. The man is the walking epitome of sex.
But I don’t trust him.
I trust him one hundred percent with Gigi. I know he’d protect her with his life.
I don’t trust him with my feelings.
I’ve been hurt by Zeus Kincaid once before. I’m not looking for a repeat performance.
And, honestly, I’m starting to wonder if my parting words that night resonated with him. That he doesn’t love me the way he thinks because he’s never fought to be with me.
And, if that is the case…well, I don’t know how I feel about that either.
God, aren’t I just a mixed bag of emotions right now?
And it’s all because of that man who’s currently sitting in my living room.
But today is about Gigi. She’s my main priority. My only priority.
“Gigi still in the living room with Zeus?” I ask Aunt Elle, who’s started helping me wrap the plates of sandwiches.
But, before she can answer, the doorbell rings. There’s an excited squeal from the living room and then the sound of Gigi and Zeus heading toward the front door.
“Guess that’s them.” I smooth my hands down my dress. I thought I’d make an effort, so I put on my nicest day dress—a white floral maxi.
“Showtime, kid.” Aunt Elle winks at me and grins.
I head out of the kitchen and into the hallway. The front door is open, Gigi standing there with Zeus, and on our porch stands Ares, Lo, and Missy. They’re all smiling down at my girl.
It’s been five years since I’ve seen them.
Ares looks the same, just older. He’s always been big, like Zeus. They’re both similar but different, too. They have the same eyes. All of them have those striking blue eyes, which must have come from their mom, as Brett’s eyes aren’t like that. But where Zeus’s hair has always been short, Ares keeps his long. Still is. It’s tied back into one of those man buns, and he’s wearing a lot of scruff on his face.