Total pages in book: 111
Estimated words: 102834 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 514(@200wpm)___ 411(@250wpm)___ 343(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 102834 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 514(@200wpm)___ 411(@250wpm)___ 343(@300wpm)
I chose my favourite blue dress and took a shower before styling my hair in a loose bun. A little while later, there was a honk outside, and I peered through the window, spotting Nuala’s car outside. Grabbing my things, I headed out and found Gigi sitting next to her in the front seat.
“Hi, Milly, Gigi and I have just been to the salon to get our hair and nails done,” Nuala said as I slid into the back seat. “What do you think?”
“You both look amazing. Are you coming to the concert with us, too?” I asked Gigi, but she shook her head. “I’m spending the night with Grandma. We’re going to order a Chinese takeaway and watch movies. I’ve never heard of Alanis …” She glanced at Nuala. “What’s her second name again?”
“Morissette,” Nuala answered before tugging on Gigi’s ear. “Thanks for making us feel old.”
I chuckled, and Gigi smirked before bringing her attention back to me. “Is Deirdre having a good time in London with her dad?”
“Yes, I spoke with her this morning. She said she misses you.”
“I miss her, too. The summer would’ve been way better with her around.”
The glumness in her voice had me speaking impulsively, “I’m going to visit her for a few days next month. If your dad agrees, I’d be happy to bring you along. Deirdre would love it.”
Gigi’s eyes widened with excitement. “To London? Really? Oh, my goodness, could we keep it a secret and surprise her?”
I smiled. “I don’t see why not.”
“You’ll have to make sure it doesn’t clash with our trip to Rome,” Nuala said to Gigi before explaining to me, “I’m taking her to see her mam in concert when she plays there next month.”
Gigi groaned. “I really wanna do both trips. When Mam visited for my birthday, it wasn’t nearly long enough. She could only stay for one night.”
I felt bad being relieved that her mother had only stayed for one night. Gigi clearly wished she could’ve visited for longer, but I just couldn’t get that conversation out of my head, the one where she’d propositioned Derek. At least he was adamant he wasn’t interested, though it was hard not to be intimidated when the man you had feelings for was once married to a veritable goddess who played the violin and had so much sex appeal she could afford to donate the overflow to charity.
“We’ll try our best to make it work,” Nuala assured her.
“Do you think Dad might like to come with us to Rome?”
“I’m not sure,” Nuala said. “He’s very busy with the hotels right now.”
Gigi let out a wistful sigh. “Mam was saying how great he’s been looking lately.” Just like that, my relief disappeared in a poof of smoke, unease returning. “She said he’s really gotten his act together, and that it suits him. Oh, Nuala! I haven’t heard her speak so nicely of him in ages. Do you think they might get back together?”
For a brief second, Nuala’s eyes flashed to mine in the overhead mirror, but I made sure to keep my expression neutral—even though the very concept of Derek reconciling with his ex-wife made me feel ill. Nuala’s voice was gentle when she replied, “I don’t think so, Gigi. I wouldn’t hold out hope for anything like that.”
It was good that Nuala was honest with her, but at the same time I watched how Gigi’s shoulders slumped. It was clearly something she’d been wanting, her parents to rekindle. And if that was a hope she’d been holding onto, then Derek and I needed to tread carefully. If we really were going to start something, we couldn’t allow it to jeopardise his daughter’s mental health. Gigi had only started making progress, and I wouldn’t want to do anything to set her back.
I was lost in thought when Nuala pulled into the driveaway of her parents’ house. “Everyone’s meeting here, and then we’ll walk to the castle. It’s better than trying to find a parking spot.”
“Sounds good,” I said, glad I’d chosen to wear my flat ankle boots instead of anything more adventurous. I followed Nuala into the house while Gigi headed upstairs to see her granddad who was currently in bed, taking it easy before his surgery. I stumbled a little when I walked into the kitchen and saw Derek standing with Aidan and his brother, the three men talking casually while my heart pounded against my ribcage.
“Where’s Theo?” Nuala asked as we entered.
“He can’t make it. Something came up at work,” Tristan replied, and I saw disappointment flicker in her gaze for a moment before it was gone. My eyes met Derek’s briefly, and he practically simmered as he took me in. My breath caught as he traced a path from my face and down along my shoulders and chest before tiptoeing over my hips. His intense inspection made me feel like there was a fire bubbling under the surface of my skin.