Page 3 of Sticks and Stones
He took a step closer, backing her into the oversized post at her back. There was still an inferno raging between them and she could pretend she wasn’t ready to combust, but he knew better.
“And we do still have a connection, don’t we, Gi?” He brushed her hair over her shoulder. “Always have. Always will.”
She slapped his hand away. “Our daughters have a connection with you. I don’t.”
“You see my eyes every time you look into theirs,” he said, determined to make her admit she still felt something for him. “And it kills you.”
“You’re wrong. They’re beautiful and smart and strong. When I look at them, I see them. Not you.”
“Then you never think about me?” His gaze dipped to her cleavage while he considered the lucky bastard who’d be admiring it all night. “You never think about the father of your daughters? Your first love—”
“Stop it!” She pressed her hands into his chest, trying to push him away. “I don’t know what the hell you’re doing here or why you’re trying to mess with my head, but it’s not going to work. I have a date and I’m not going to give you a second thought tonight.”
He chuckled as he let her push past him. “You’re such a liar.” His gaze drifted to her left hand. She no longer wore the sapphire and diamond band he’d had made for her when Keegan was born. He told her it symbolized his commitment to her and their family.
“What did you do with it?”
“What?”
“The ring.”
“Which one?” she asked. “You gave me several over the years.”
“Yeah, but not the one you needed.”
She closed her eyes briefly before turning her back on him and crossing the porch.
He followed her, letting his hand graze her hip through the thin dress as he stood behind her. “Would that ring, that goddamn piece of paper, have been enough to keep you with me?”
“None of that matters now,” she said, sounding breathless. “It’s ancient history.”
A car caused Gianna to turn with a start, fixing a smile on her face as she stepped away from him. “Hey, Billy. It’s so good to see you,” she said when he opened the car door.
The man stepped out of the car, slowly walking up the path. He lowered the bouquet of flowers he held out to Gianna as his eyes landed on Gunnar. “Oh, wow. You’re… No, you can’t be…”
“This is um…” Gianna glanced at Gunnar, obviously expecting him to save her.
“Gunnar,” he supplied, extending his hand. He gripped the other man’s hand a little harder than necessary. “Gi’s ex. The father of her children.”
She gaped at Gunnar before snapping her mouth shut and glaring at him. “I’m sorry, Billy. I wasn’t expecting company tonight. If I’d known Gunnar was going to show up like this, uninvited and unannounced, I would have suggested we go out another time.”
“How do you two know each other?” Gunnar asked, ignoring the barb as he crossed his arms and legs and leaned against the wraparound porch railing.
“I own the store next to the flower shop where Gianna works,” he explained. “I’m a photographer. I do photo shoots in the back and sell cameras in the front.”
“You work now?” Gunnar asked, raising an eyebrow. She got five figures a month from him, so he knew she didn’t have to work. When they’d been together, she’d been content to be a full-time mom and active volunteer for several charitable organizations.
“Just part-time,” she explained, blushing. “I love flowers,” she said, admiring the ones Billy had given her. “And I thought this would be a good way for me to meet people.”
“Looks like it’s working,” he said, eyeing her date. “You meet a lot of people that way?”
“Daddy!” The front door opened and Ramsey hurled herself at him.
He laughed as he swept her off her feet and swung her around. “How’s my baby girl?” he asked, kissing her forehead as he set her down. “How’d volleyball tryouts go? You think you made the team?”
Gianna narrowed her eyes at them and he knew she must be wondering how he suddenly knew the minute details of his daughter’s life.
“I’m pretty sure I did,” she said, looking proud of herself. “I can’t believe you’re here! Why didn’t you tell us you were coming?”
