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Instead of retaliating, she smiles at me. “That’s a much better look on you. What can I do to keep you smiling?”
She means it—would do anything, buy anything, take me anywhere—and I love her for it, but the truth is she can’t fix this for me. “You’re already doing it. Giving me a place to hide while I rethink my life.”
“Life? Is it that serious?”
I nod. “I know where I went wrong.”
“Justice.” She’s not asking.
“It started before that. I know you don’t like to hear about him, but when Dad died, I was so mad I wanted to forget everything, who I was, what I had with my father and how I’d just gotten it, only to lose him.” I meet her gaze. “He wasn’t a gold digger, Gigi. He loved me in a way Mom never could. I needed that. When it was gone, I needed an escape.”
“Enter Justice.”
I shrug, my mind and heart still working out that part.
“Time, my dear.” Gigi picks the radishes from her body and chair, and dumps them on the tray. “Time can heal all wounds and bring clarity. You came to the right place.” She stands.
I shoot upright on the chair. “Where are you going?”
“To make sure your room is ready. I think you could use a little peace and quiet.”
“Thank you.”
“Not a problem, dear. Stay here and relax. Try the green goddess juice; it’s heavenly. I’ll have Inez text you as soon as your room is ready.”
“Sounds good.”
She takes a step then pauses and murmurs, “Maybe you’ll get lucky, and Riley will walk by with his shirt off again while you’re waiting here.”
“I know what you’re doing, and it won’t work.”
“I saw the way you looked at him when he left.”
“Well, I’m not blind, but I’m not looking for anything, either. At this point, I might even give asexuality a try.”
“I always found sleeping with a man helped, but I also got married and divorced five times, so don’t listen to me.”
I roll my eyes.
“Love you,” Gigi calls out and waves as she walks away.
“Love you, too.” Smiling, I rest my head and close my eyes, hopeful life has something wonderful in store for my future.