Chapter 17

Seventeen

Silas

O n Sunday, something changed between me and Gia. It felt like she was it for me. The only problem was that Gia probably didn’t feel the same way. Every time we were together, we grew closer, and when she left, she created distance between us.

I kept putting off her brothers coming on the boat because I didn’t feel right about lying to them.

During the week, Gia traveled back and forth between her business and my resort. When she wasn’t with Emma and John, she was in constant contact with Harper, as if they were working on something big. But she hadn’t told me what it was, and I wasn’t sure she was planning to.

I had an uneasy feeling she was working on something that could negatively affect me. I didn’t want to believe she’d do that after how close we’d gotten, but she was a savvy businesswoman. She’d mentioned a few times that things were different for me. She didn’t have family money to fall back on, and she had something to prove to her father. I just hoped she wasn’t using me or plotting against me for her next big win.

I hadn’t managed to get her alone all week. On Friday, I joined her in her meeting with Emma at the restaurant. They were discussing the dinner menu with my chef, Brad.

“Surely, you don’t need to be here for this,” Gia said pleasantly, but I heard the underlying question: Don’t you have something better to do?

There were various options for salad on the table in front of them.

“I always eat lunch in the restaurant. It only makes sense to join you.”

“I don’t mind,” Emma said, smiling at me.

I was positive she thought it was her money and her family’s standing in the community that had me paying extra attention to her. In reality, I was here to see Gia.

Usually, I had no interest in weddings outside of the revenue they generated. People were more than willing to part with their money for a wedding. The fathers were all too eager to indulge their daughters in the one-day party.

Brad discussed the various options for salads and dressings before disappearing into the kitchen while we sampled them.

When we’d finished sampling the salads, Emma excused herself to go to the bathroom.

Gia hissed, “What are you doing here?”

I set my fork down, pleased that I’d finally gotten her alone. “You’ve been avoiding me all week.”

She narrowed her eyes on me. “I’ve been busy working.”

“What have you been working on?” I asked nonchalantly, as if my heart was beating out of my chest.

Gia rolled her eyes. “John and Emma’s wedding.”

I carefully watched her reaction. “You seem to be preoccupied with something else. You’re always on the phone with your office.”

“This may come as a surprise to you, but when I’m here, I can’t be working at my office. I need to be in contact to ensure things are running smoothly.”

“I can understand that, but it seems like something more than your usual workload.” Gia had been buzzing all week with this energy. It was how I felt when I got the bug to try something new.

Her shoulders lowered slightly. “I promise it has nothing to do with you.”

“So, you’re not plotting against me?” I asked her casually.

Her brows raised. “No. Of course not.”

I tipped my head to the side. “Then why can’t you tell me?”

Gia’s voice softened. “We’re in the process of researching to see if my new idea is feasible. I promise it has nothing to do with you or the resort. It’s something else entirely.”

“Is it something I’d want to do too, if I had the idea?” I couldn’t help but ask.

Gia barked out a laugh just as Emma returned.

“What did I miss?” Emma asked.

“Gia is working on something big but won’t tell me what it is,” I said.

“It’s not something you’d want to do or would even be able to do. Maybe Hannah, but not you.”

“Ah, it’s something about being a wedding planner.” Relief flooded my system. Her explanation made me feel better, but I was still dying to know what it was, and a part of me wondered if she was telling me the truth. How could I trust her when she was my biggest competitor? I thought we had a connection, but she was slower to have those same realizations. What if she didn’t see me as anything more than a physical release?

Any time I remembered what we’d shared on Sunday, I couldn’t believe it was true. I had to keep the faith that she’d eventually realize what we had.

The waitstaff cleared our salad dishes, and Brad appeared with several options for soup. When he left, Gia said, “I don’t recommend soups for summer weddings. It can feel very heavy, and you want your guests to feel light.”

“I agree,” Emma said as she sipped her Maryland crab soup.

It was delicious, but I had to agree, if the weather was warm, soups wouldn’t be ideal.

Next, Brad brought out a serving tray of the entrée options, ranging from filet mignon to lobster to crab cakes and the more expected chicken.

“You’ll want two options in case someone is allergic or doesn’t like seafood, but in my opinion, every Maryland wedding should offer seafood. Especially when your wedding will be held on the water.”

Emma nodded. “I agree. Let’s go with the filet mignon and the crab cakes.”

Once that was settled, Brad brought out the options for the sides. There were several different types of potatoes and veggies, and I lost interest.

“Ladies, it’s been nice, but I need to get back to the office for a meeting.” I stopped in the kitchen to praise Brad and thank him for a job well done. I was almost to the elevator before Gia joined me. “Did I forget something?”

“You just happened to jump into my meeting with a bride, and then you leave early?” Her tone was exasperated.

“I’m a busy man.”

“You did that just to get to me.” Gia’s body was tense, and her eyes were filled with irritation.

With a hand on her elbow, I pulled her to the side so no one saw us arguing. I was always professional in front of my employees and guests. “I wanted to see you. I missed you.”

Gia’s entire demeanor relaxed, her shoulders lowered, and her face smoothed out. “Are you serious?”

“Is it so hard to believe that I could miss you? What we shared this weekend was next-level, and I haven’t seen you since. I’m starting to question my sanity.” I figured the best plan of action with Gia was honesty.

“Silas,” she said, shaking her head, and I braced for her denial of what I already knew to be true. “I’m sorry, but I’m preoccupied with this new project at work. You know how it is when you get an idea, and it’s all you can think about.”

I knew exactly what she was talking about. I became consumed with seeing it to completion. “You’re so preoccupied with this new project that you’ve forgotten about us?”

I dropped my head slightly so my breath ghosted over her ear.

Breathlessly, she said, “I promise, I haven’t.”

I leaned back slightly to see her face. “Did you forget that I’m good for bouncing ideas off of?”

She stiffened. “I’m confident in my business ideas and actions. I didn’t need to.”

I straightened, realizing my mistake. I assumed she needed my help when what I admired about her was her independence. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to insinuate that. I just meant I’m here if you need to talk to anyone about it.”

Her expression softened. “Thank you.”

“You’d better get back to Emma. She’s going to wonder where you went.” I stepped back, regretting I hadn’t kissed her when I had a chance. My anxiety about her new business idea had bothered me more than I thought.

“I’ll see you later,” Gia said as she walked away, and I wondered if that was true. Lately, she disappeared from the resort without stopping in to see me. It was more than her being busy; she was still fighting whatever this was.

I’d like to think I had a plan where she was concerned, but I kept changing course. I never encountered a woman who wasn’t completely enamored with me and what I could do for them. Gia was strong and independent, but I wanted her to need me in her life.

I couldn’t seem to get her out of my mind, and I wanted to spend time with her. I just hoped she felt the same.

I immersed myself in meetings that afternoon, and at some point, Gia texted to say she’d checked in with my secretary, who said I’d be tied up in meetings for a few more hours, so she left. I appreciated that she made the effort, but next time, I’d let my assistant know she could interrupt me.

Later that night, Gia texted to ask if we could spend our Sunday together, and I immediately said yes. I wanted more time with her outside our respective businesses and responsibilities. It was the only way I saw the real Gia, the woman beneath her armor.

I had a feeling Gia wanted to spend time on my boat, but I wanted to spend time with her on her turf. I wanted to see her house and get to know her town better. If we were going to have a future, we needed to figure out the distance between us and make it no big deal.

It had to be possible these days with virtual meetings. I refused to believe that there were no options for us, not with our money and resources. We could get work done and spend time together. I was sure of it.

I researched things to do in Annapolis and suggested brunch and then a boat tour. After that, we could play it by ear. But for dinner, I had a surprise I wasn’t sure she was going to be happy about. I hoped she’d understand that I just wanted the best for her.

When I picked her up at nine in the morning on Sunday, I was surprised to see she lived in a historic home downtown. Gia wore a sundress with strappy sandals. She looked cute and fresh. If I didn’t already know she was a business owner, I’d never suspect it. After she locked up, I pulled her into my arms and kissed her. “You look beautiful today.”

“Thank you,” she said as I took her hand and led her down the sidewalk.

“We can walk from here, can’t we?” I’d looked at the map, and it looked possible, but I’d never done it myself.

“That’s what I like about this location. I can walk anywhere, including work.”

I remembered that her business was on Main Street, with the restaurants and tourist shops. “Your house is a bit off the main path.”

“That’s why it’s perfect.”

“Have you thought about living outside of town?” I asked her as we set a leisurely pace. I had made reservations at a place called Iron Rooster, but we had plenty of time to make it there.

Gia frowned. “This is so convenient, and when I bought it, I wasn’t worried about school districts.”

“Were you supposed to be?”

Gia rolled her eyes. “My realtor mentioned it for resale value, but this property will always be attractive because of the location.”

“I agree.”

“Why drive to work when I can walk? Not only that, but I can pick up coffee on the way.”

“It’s convenient.” It had the added benefit of being close to the water.

She chewed her lip. “I love your place too. The one on the water. It’s so secluded and private. I can see myself wanting something like that someday.”

Would someday ever be today?

Gia snuck a glance at me. “Why did you want to spend the day here instead of on your boat?”

“The boat is usually what I do on Sundays, but I wanted to see your place and get to know Annapolis.”

“You have plans to move here?” Her tone was light.

“I’m not sure yet.”

Gia paused on the sidewalk and faced me. “What are we doing?”

I stepped closer, cupping her jaw. “I enjoy spending time with you, and I wanted to see you on your turf. Can you enjoy the day with me?”

Her face smoothed out, and she nodded. “As long as you feed me soon. I’m starving.”

“You didn’t eat anything this morning? I wouldn’t have lasted.”

She laughed and shook her head. “Nope. I was saving it for brunch.”

We resumed walking, and as we got closer to the restaurant, the sidewalks were more crowded with people, and we could smell the water from the harbor. There was a light breeze from the water as we turned the corner onto Dock Street, where several restaurants were lined up in a row. I opened the heavy wooden door of Iron Rooster and went inside.

The buildings were older and narrow. This one had seating on two floors and an option for outdoor dining too. It was already crowded, so it was loud as the hostess led us to a table on the second floor by the windows.

“This is a nice view,” Gia said as I held her chair out for her.

“I asked for a table with a view.”

Gia smiled. “That was nice of you.”

“I try to be a thoughtful date.”

Gia glanced up from her menu, her cheeks slightly pink.

I snapped my fingers. “Although I forgot to bring you flowers. That’s something girls like, isn’t it?”

“How can you describe yourself as a thoughtful date when you overlooked that important detail?” she asked.

“I can bring you flowers next time.”

“There’s no need. I love fresh-cut flowers and have a subscription to a company that sends them monthly. I usually get more around holidays, and I love sending them to my employees on their birthdays.”

“I already learned something new about you. You love flowers.”

“But I can buy them myself.”

“Is this going to be an argument we have continually in this relationship? You want to provide for yourself when I want to treat you? I think you have to wrap your mind around the idea that you get both.”

She considered me for a few seconds and then finally nodded. “This is new to me.”

“Dating a man or being with someone like me?” I was positive she hadn’t dated anyone like me before.

“Someone like you. I’ve never been with anyone who was my equal, both intellectually and in the business world. Plus, you are independently wealthy.” She said the last sentence with a flick of her hand that made me feel like my accomplishments weren’t my own.

“My family has money, but everything I’ve built with the resort is mine.”

Gia let her menu fall to the table as she leaned across it to cover my hand with hers. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to insinuate you haven’t worked hard for what you have. It’s just different when you start from nothing. We’re successful no matter how we started out.”

“I knew what you meant. It’s an old wound of mine. People assume my life was easy, and that I haven’t had to work hard for anything I have. As if my last name gets me everything.”

“I don’t believe that.”

“I know you don’t.” It’s what made her so special. There was a lot more to business than having the capital to start it. It’s why so many failed.

The waitress stopped by for our orders. I ordered the crab hash, which was a bowl of crabmeat, eggs, veggies, and spices, and Gia ordered the poached eggs over crab cakes.

“You can’t get brunch without seafood here. It’s what I love about Annapolis.”

“It is unique.” This wasn’t the first time I wondered how this would work between us. If she ever accepted that we were a thing, would we alternate weekends? Or would one of us move? My resort was an hour away, and I needed to be on-site. I wasn’t positive she needed to work in her office all the time. Not that she would see it that way.

“What’s that building there?” I asked as we gazed out the window. There was a road that went around it, but it was the only building between this one and the harbor area.

“It’s a market. It’s been renovated a few times. They open it to grand fanfare, and then they close it down, renovate it again, and reopen it. I haven’t been inside in a long time, but each time, they try to make it work as a traditional market, like you’d see in Boston.”

“I’ve been to that one. It’s a neat idea.”

She sipped her mimosa. “If it worked.”

“I’m sure you have ideas on how to make it work.”

Gia shook her head thoughtfully. “I don’t pretend to know anything about a food court. That’s not my area of expertise.”

“Be honest. When you go into a business, you evaluate how they operate, how good the customer service is, how clean everything is, and how fast your order is brought out, and then you think of all the ways they could improve.”

She laughed. “I get frustrated with small businesses. I’ve heard people say that if someone is a musician, it’s okay that their instrument and lesson shop is disorganized. Because they’re a creator, not a businessperson.”

“You need to be both. If you have no background in business, you can still learn.”

“Exactly. I listened to my father growing up, but I learned so much more by just doing my own thing. It was a lot of trial and error.”

“I agree.”

“I bet you’re continually coming up with new ideas for your business.”

“Some work and some don’t. But I usually act on them immediately. I don’t wait and think about it. Maybe that’s a mistake, but I’ve always gotten that spark and immediately figured out what I needed to do to make it happen.”

“I know what you mean. I’ve had to slow myself down a few times to make sure I’m making the right decision.”

“Is that what you did with your newest idea?” I asked, wanting to know more.

She laughed. “We immediately started researching it and getting everything in order. I’m excited about it. I think it could be the thing that keeps my business afloat.”

My forehead wrinkled. “You were worried you wouldn’t make it?”

“I don’t like being dependent on seasons or trends. I want a consistent and steady income.”

“I hadn’t thought about how, as a service business, you have dips and valleys.”

“My employees expect to be paid monthly regardless of how many weddings we booked that month.”

“I have a fairly steady income between the rooms, the restaurants, and the weddings.”

“You diversified just by the nature of owning a resort. You have locals coming for the spa and restaurant and for weekend getaways, and then you have tourists looking for a getaway. I’d thought about writing a book in the beginning, and I’d put it to the side. I didn’t think I’d ever do it. I kind of let it go, but Harper said it would be a good idea.”

“What would you write about?” I asked, genuinely impressed she wanted to write a book.

“What it’s like to be a business owner, but specifically a wedding planner. It would be a mindset business advice book for wedding planners. Or do you think that’s too limiting? Should I open it up to all business owners?”

I was pleased she’d confided in me and wanted my input. “I think you should write what you know first. If there’s interest in something more, then do another one that’s open to all businesswomen. I’ve heard women lament the lack of business conferences and books on money and business too.”

“There’s an opening in the market. I’ve seen a few women be successful with books about money, but I don’t see any for event planners.”

“I think it’s an amazing idea.” She was so smart and innovative. I was continually in awe of her. It made me want to tie her down even more. This woman was perfect for me. If only I could convince her of that.