Read Loving Gigi for Free Online Page A

the castle on the hill before her. In her mind, she was back on the bluffs of Slater Island again with Kane Sander. “I found it once.”
    Eyes round, Annelise asked, “Wait, are you referring to that guy you met right after college? At the wedding I’m sworn to never speak of?”
    Gigi stood and gathered up her bag. “Yes. Forget I mentioned him. I don’t like to remember that day.” She still cringed every time she thought about how she’d behaved on that trip. Even though it had only been a few years, she felt a millennium older than the young woman who had been so afraid to get hurt that she’d snuck into her own brothers’ weddings. When the humiliation of being turned down by Kane subsided, she had to admit he’d been right to walk away from her.
    She would have regretted it, even if it had been good. She remembered their kiss on the bluffs, and warmth filled her cheeks. It would have been great.
    Shaking her head, Annelise started jogging in place. “You know why it didn’t work out with him? Because you were a hot mess that day. You had mope goggles on. They’re worse than beer goggles. Anyone would have looked good to you. Forget that guy. You don’t want to wake up at thirty and realize you missed out on some really great men because of this zing thing you imagined. You need to learn to move on. Same thing with Venice. Memories only have the power you give them. Go home and make your mother’s birthday a special one. When you come back, ask Greg out. You might discover you like him.”
    “You are amazing, do you know that?” Gigi smiled and started walking beside Annelise.
    Annelise smiled back. “Oh, I know.” She gave Gigi a once over and said, “Now get your high-heeled, sophisticated arse back to the office. I’m going to run by the gym and take a quick shower. I’ll call Miss Fletcher when I get back.” She paused and added, “And don’t you dare bring any cake to the office. I don’t care how bad you feel.”
    Gigi was still smiling even after Annelise had run up the steps of the park and disappeared out the gate. The world according to Annelise.
    A sudden, amusing thought came to Gigi.
    Annelise was as wound up emotionally as Gigi was; she just talked a better game. She tended to date uptight men, and that didn’t help her. I wonder what she’d think of a man named Waffle?
    And pie?
    *     *     *
    Kane recognized the high-pitched voice of Scarlet King before she entered the dining room of the posh, uptown restaurant. She was riding high on the success of her latest big screen release, but her voice carried as if she were still on Broadway. Although she was physically stunning, Kane found speaking to her a lot like watching a Saturday morning infomercial; he’d only do it if there were no other option.
    His mistake had been fucking her the second time. He’d been drinking the first time, and she’d flirted with him outrageously at a dinner party they’d both attended. He’d been flattered, and she’d been willing. He couldn’t say it was the best sex he’d ever had, but he was getting used to not being wowed. A week later they were at another mutual event, and she’d hung on him most of the night then followed him back to his limo. He’d been clear that if she came home with him, she wasn’t staying over; he was too busy to be in a relationship with anyone.
    It hadn’t deterred her, and the sex had been marginally better but, a bit like fast food eaten in a pinch, she’d had left him swearing he wouldn’t go there again. He had no idea how she’d found him, but he plastered a smile on his face and stood to greet her.
    “There you are,” she exclaimed in a voice meant to be heard by others.
    “Scarlet,” he said in an even voice, “what a pleasant surprise.”
    She strode over to his table in a huff. “Pleasant? Not at all. I’m here to tell you it’s over between us. We’re finished.”
    Kane raised a brow calmly, reasonably sure this show was not