Spin My Love (My Love #1)(26)

Giselle knew I handled it badly when my mother passed away, but she doesn’t know the truth of what happened with my dad.

No one does, except my cousin Keiran.

Keeping it bottled up inside wasn’t the smartest thing I’ve ever done. I let it fester; let it grow into something I couldn’t control. That, mixed with my mother’s death and leaving behind everyone I cared about, meant I wasn’t in the best place.

I turned to drugs because I was weak. Thinking back to those times makes me feel ashamed, but it is what it is. I f*cked up, but I believe I’ve paid for everything.

With interest.

Now I want to claim my life back and move forward.

She clears her throat. “I didn’t mean to be brutal …”

“It’s okay, Giselle. I have nothing to hide from you. I guess I just don’t want you thinking even worse of me than you already do.”

She doesn’t bother denying it.

“I don’t know if four questions are going to answer everything I want to know,” she says.

“I guess I’ll just have to take you on more dates then,” I reply with a winning grin. “Is Parker staying the night with Gage or should we pick him up on the way home?”

“He’s staying the night,” Giselle replies. “Gage and Levi wanted to take him swimming tomorrow.”

I’m thankful Gage and Levi have been there for Giselle and Parker, I really am. I’m still not sure if Levi is interested in her as more than a friend. I want to ask, but I’m almost scared of the answer.

“I really miss him when he’s not around,” I admit, clearing my throat. “Thank you for letting him spend time at my house.”

She’s quiet for a few moments before she answers. “He should have his dad in his life. I’m not going to take that away from him because you hurt me; I’m not that selfish. In the end what happened was completely between you and me and had nothing to do with him. It would be unfair to hold it against you, and it would punish Parker in the long-run. Ever since you found out you were a father you’ve been amazing, and Parker loves spending time with you.”

I didn’t mean for our date to turn so serious so fast. “I never meant to hurt you.”

She doesn’t reply. I decide to change the subject. “You going to get any more tattoos?”

“Why, you don’t like them?” she replies, a little defensively.

I raise my eyebrows. “I think they’re sexy as hell actually.”

Something about a good girl covered in tattoos … it’s hot. Or maybe it’s just because it’s her. She could probably stop washing her hair and wear a potato sack and I’d still think she was irresistible.

“Hmmmm,” she replies mysteriously, not looking my way.

“What does that mean?” I ask her.

“Nothing,” she says, before turning to face me. “Except I guess you must have liked them since you picked me out of all the women who wanted you that night.”

That night.

Both the worst and best night of my life.

Worst because I hurt Giselle, and the best because we created Parker.

I need a f*cking do-over of that night. I’d be sober at that club, and I’d treat Giselle like she deserves. I’d talk with her, and recognise her after a little while, realising why I was drawn to her in the first place.

Because she’s always been mine.

How do I explain to her that she’s always been mine without coming across like an overbearing Neanderthal?

Easy; I don’t. I keep my mouth shut and pray that she sees me and realizes how good we can be together.

As we drive closer to where I’m taking her tonight, I hear her gasp. “No way.”

I smile. “What, you don’t like this place?”

I grab my phone and send a quick message to the waiter I hired, telling him I will be there in a minute.

“You know I love this place,” she whispers, taking in the riverfront we used to play in when we were younger. “I haven’t been here in years.”

I park the car and open the door for her. Taking her hand, I walk her down to the water, where a candle-lit dinner is set. I pull out her chair and gesture for her to sit.

“How did you get all this stuff here?” she asks, glancing around curiously.

“Magic,” I joke, taking my own seat.

“It’s beautiful, Tane,” she says, smiling at me. “I have to say I am pleasantly surprised, but you didn’t need to do all this.”

“I wanted to,” I reply, pouring the red wine for her.

She picks up the glass and puts it to her lips. “Delicious.”

“The food is from your favourite restaurant,” I tell her, as she lifts the silver tray. There are steaks with peppered mushroom sauce, baby potatoes, and grilled asparagus.

She gasps. “From Revene? How the hell did you manage this?”

I grin at her, loving the reactions playing out on her face. “I have my ways.”

“I’ll bet you do,” she says, shaking her head at my evasion before frowning. “Can we eat now? I’m starving.”

She’s f*cking adorable.

“Yes, of course,” I say, swallowing my laughter.

She takes a bite and moans, causing me to shift in my seat. As she wraps her mouth around her fork, I groan and look away.