27. Gianni

Chapter twenty-seven

Gianni

Saturday, March 15, 2025

P utting my guitar away and leashing up Pickles, I head to the door. Just as I open it, Lucia is standing there, arms full of cleaning supplies, as her daughter, Josie, stands at her side.

"Hola senora y senorita, lo siento, olvidé que vendrían temprano hoy. ?Te importa si me voy hoy mientras limpias? Tengo que llevar a Pickles a su clase." Hey ladies, I'm sorry I forgot you were coming early today. Do you mind if I leave today while you clean up? I have to take Pickles to her class.

"?Oh, por supuesto! Nos iremos en una hora. Me aseguraré de cerrar." Oh, sure! We'll be leaving in an hour. I'll be sure to lock up . Her tan skin wrinkles around her eyes as she smiles up at me.

"Gracias, Lucía. Hay bocadillos para Josie en la despensa. Llévate lo que quieras." Thanks, Lucia. There are snacks for Josie in the pantry. Take whatever you want, I tell her as I head out, ruffling the little girl’s chestnut-brown curls. She looks up at me, her crooked grin with only a few teeth left hanging on pulls a genuine smile out of me as I head downstairs, hoping to see Lark on her way to class.

It’s really started to warm up out here. A sheen of sweat is already starting to coat my skin as I stand in the sun, waiting to see if Lark will make it down the stairs before I absolutely have to leave to get there on time.

As if I’d called her, she rushes through the doors toward me, her red waves a mess behind her as she pants. “Gianni, hi!” she shouts at me, sounding out of breath.

“Good morning, Dr. Hughes. What’s got you so out of breath this morning?” I ask, realizing too late that my words sound suggestive.

She doesn’t seem to notice as she answers, still breathless. “I had to stay at work late last night, and I missed my alarm this morning, so I’m a bit of a mess today. Hopefully, nobody cares too much since we’ll all be getting covered in dog hair, anyway.” She flashes me a smile.

I take in her flushed face, wild hair, and smudged mascara, presumably left over from yesterday. “You’re beautiful,” I tell her, more by accident than anything else. She’s not the only one who’s breathless here. Even looking like an absolute mess, she still manages to make me hum with the need to devour her mouth.

She peers up at me through thick lashes, a smile curving her lips, but says nothing as we continue in the direction of Rocket Dog.

When we reach the building, I hold the door open for her, letting her and Tiny pass us.