Gigi’s eyelids popped open to find a gorgeous woman carrying a Louis Vuitton tote on her arm. She looked vaguely familiar, and Gigi’s mind scrambled to place her—actor? Singer? Model?
The woman flashed a bright, white smile to the crew. “I only found out I was coming along last night.” Her flirty dress exposed toned thighs, and she’d clearly taken a lot of time on her long, blonde hair and make-up.
With a laugh in her eyes, she dropped into the seat beside Cassian. And then she snuggled up against him, whispering in his ear.
Gigi was gutted. Pure, raw jealousy burned through her. That’s the woman in the photo. The blonde hair and big cleavage were the giveaways.
Over all these years, the press had caught Cassian in compromising poses with countless women, but she’d never known him to have a girlfriend. He seemed to be on a mission to have sex with every woman on the globe.
Except me, of course. He’s not attracted to me.
As the flight attendants prepared the cabin for departure, Gigi couldn’t take her eyes off the couple. Their intimacy was undeniable. They whispered quietly, smiling every now and then. The woman punched his shoulder lightly, reared back, and then burst out laughing.
“Hey, everybody.” An older man with shaggy blonde hair stood in the aisle. “I’m Arnie, and I’m the tour’s photographer. I’m going to get as many shots as I can, but I won’t be publishing anything without your written permission.”
“You can photograph me with the patients,” the actor said. “But that’s it.”
“Got it. For now, everyone who doesn’t mind a group shot, could you give me a cheesy smile?” He held up his camera. And just as Gigi started to lean in, she saw Cassian’s girlfriend snake her arm behind his neck and rest her hand on his shoulder.
And that was the shot Arnie got.
The one with Gigi staring at the boy who’d hurt her in a way she couldn’t come back from.
And the boy enjoying his fun, sexy girlfriend, as if Gigi had never existed.
An hour after checking into her hotel room, Gigi’s phone rang. Wearing nothing but a robe, she dashed to answer it. Mama Cav. “Hey, Mom.”
“Where are you, and why do you sound out of breath?”
“I’m having a spa night.” She glanced at herself in the mirror over the dresser. A shiny green mask covered her face, and a white towel-turban sat on top of her head.
“Now? It’s dinner time.”
“I know. I’m just going to order in.” Am I avoiding seeing Cassian’s sexy girlfriend run her hands all over him?
You bet.
“Oh, no, you’re not. You know how the first night goes. It’s orientation.”
“I can skip it. This ain’t my first rodeo.” She’d deal with everything tomorrow.
“Each tour is different—the children are different. You need to get down there and find out who you’re going to be visiting. Besides, do you really want it to look like you get special treatment because you’re our daughter?”
“No, but I do want one night to just relax.”
“Yeah, okay, Diva, that’s not how we roll. Now, get downstairs. They’re waiting for you. Kevin said they’re not going to start until everyone’s at the table.”
“Mom…”
“Sweetheart, I know it’s not going to be easy to be around him.”
“Understatement of the year.” After the night he’d destroyed her, Gigi had completely fallen apart. She’d spent the first week in bed. It’s a wonder I graduated high school. Her parents had reduced her feelings to nothing more than a crush on the hot, charming athlete—the same one every other girl—and woman—in town had. Only, intensified because he’d spent so much time at their house.
But they were wrong. She’d loved Cassian with all her heart. They’d spent every free moment together. Sometimes, when their schedules had been too full with sports and band practices, they’d cut classes just to be alone together. He’d told her things he didn’t share with anyone. He came to her when he had big decisions to make.
She’d been so sure he’d loved her, too. That night, the way he’d looked at her—kissed her. God, that kiss. I don’t see you that way. Those words had obliterated her heart.
Worse, he’d crushed her ability to trust her own instincts.
That moment when he’d lead Ashton up the stairs…to a bedroom…to have sex with her…It was imprinted on her soul.
A clammy sensation hit the back of her neck. The thought of seeing him made her sick to her stomach. She had to tell her mom the truth. “I don’t think I can do it.”
“You don’t have a choice,” her mom said gently. “We’ve already announced the new arrivals, so it’s too late for you to cancel. And, to be honest, I’ve always wondered if your anger wasn’t misplaced.”
“What does that mean?”
“Sleeping with your friend…it wasn’t something new. He’d pretty much gone through the female population of Calamity by that point.”
“This doesn’t make me feel better.”
“I’m sorry, honey. But he is who he is. I just know I would’ve hated my best friend. Girl code, and all.”
“Trust me, I did.” She’d given Ashton a very large piece of her mind, and now Gigi barely had any residual feelings for her former friend.
Well, there you go. She’d not only confronted Ashton, but she’d cut her out of their group. Gigi had gotten closure. She hadn’t done any of that with Cassian.
So maybe this trip…maybe she could pull him aside and just let it rip?
But with his girlfriend here? Yeah, no. That wouldn’t work.
Besides, the focus needed to be on the patients.
“You have to show up for this tour, honey. You just do. The kids deserve the best you’ve got.”
“You’re right. You’re absolutely right.” She was being selfish. Petty. “I won’t let my personal issues affect this tour. I’ll get down there, and I’ll act like he’s just someone I knew in high school.”
“Thank you, sweetheart. For whatever reason, things aligned, putting you two together. Maybe you can take advantage of that, find some sort of closure with him. Might set you free.”
She smiled. “That’s exactly what I was thinking. I love you, Mom.”
“Love you, too, sweetie. I’m here if you need to talk.”
After disconnecting, Gigi tossed her phone on the bed and went back into the bathroom to peel off the mask. Shaking out her wet hair, she ran her fingers through it. She didn’t have time to dry it or put on make-up, so she just found a clean pair of shorts and a T-shirt, jammed her feet into her flip flops, and headed out of her room.
Dread pulsed with each step she took down the hallway. Cassian hadn’t seen her yet, so he didn’t know she was on the tour. When they’d landed at the St. Louis airport, a van had been waiting for them. She’d slid into the far back with the country star, happy to talk shop.
Okay, more like eager to show him she wasn’t just a prop in a manufactured girl band.
And wasn’t that part of her issue right there? Cassian was the real deal. Through talent, hard work, and drive, he’d become a great quarterback, whereas she’d become a Lollipop.