that?” Mike asked. “Minarai?”
“It means ‘apprentice,’” she said.
“It’s weird,” Mike said. “You’ve had this whole life I hardly know anything about.”
Gia winked at him. “I like to keep you guessing. Besides, who’s the one who runs off to Caribbean islands to build homes for hurricane victims? You’re a hero.”
“Nah, just helping out where I can.” His strong, capable hands played out the line, sending his fish sailing over her pink dragon’s head. They’d flown kites together on Moonglow Beach since they were in grade school. It felt so comfortable being here with him. Familiar and safe. “God gave me a talent. It would be a shame not to share it with people in need.”
“See? That attitude right there is why I love you.”
I love you.
Startled, Gia hitched in her breath. Had she really said that? What would he think about it? And damn, but she did love him. He’d been a fixture in her life for as long as she could remember. But now? She was feeling a whole different kind of love for Mike.
Tentatively, she shot a glance over at him.
He was studying her, but she couldn’t read his thoughts. Her pulse skipped. “How are you doing?” he asked.
“I’m g-good.”
“Really?”
“Well . . . you know.” She shrugged as if she were all chill and casual. “Under the circumstances.”
“It feels like a month since I’ve seen you.” Mike’s eyes were on the kite, his hands expertly maneuvering the line of the jaunty blue fish kite he’d sent soaring, but his voice, that sexy masculine voice, was full of yearning.
For her?
Gia gulped, and her pulse quickened. “You see me every day.”
“While I’m running a construction crew in your house. That doesn’t count. I’ve missed spending time with you.”
“We’re here together now,” she said.
“So we are.” His smile was the sun, bright and cheerful, and she felt like a hungry sunflower, soaking it all up.
She was so busy watching him smile that she didn’t notice her kite had lost momentum until the string slackened in her hand. Pulling back, she tightened up on the line and her pink dragon kite bobbled before catching an updraft and taking off again.
They flew kites side by side, and for a moment, it felt like they were kids again—carefree and easy. A peaceful camaraderie. Their connection growing deeper through silence and a shared activity they both loved. Being with Mike was a breeze. A respite from regular life.
“You didn’t have to come rescue me from the hospital,” she said after several minutes.
“I’m aware of that.”
“How come you showed up?”
“You do so much for the people you love, it’s time someone did something nice for you. Besides, your family expects us to spend time together. If we didn’t, it’d be weird. I’m your fiancé, remember?”
As if she could forget that. Gia rubbed her thumb along the band of the ring he’d given her. The string fluttered in response to her movement, sending the pink dragon gyrating.
“I’ve been thinking . . .” she said, rescuing the dragon from the dive, pulling back, stepping away from Mike.
“About?”
“How long we should drag out this fake engagement?”
“You’re not holding out for finishing the quilt?”
“That goal seems further and further away,” she said. “Plus, my sisters are getting along much better. Do we really even need to finish the quilt?”
“It was your grandmother’s last request.”
“True, and my sisters’ truce is probably because they barely see each other since the three of us started the shift rotation.”
“I’ll leave it up to you when to tell them.”
“Sooner seems better than later.”
“But is now really a good time?” he asked. “With your grandmother so sick?”
“You’re right. It’s just that . . .”
“What?” He met her gaze and his blue eyes took her hostage.
“You’re in limbo. You can’t date anyone else while we’re pretending.”
“Cuts both ways. Neither can you.”
“I don’t want to date.”
“Me either.”
“It’s not fair to you.”
“Don’t I get to decide what’s fair for me?” he asked.
“Yes, sure.”
“Ultimately, Gia, this is your family. It’s up to you. Just know that whatever you decide, I’ll support you.” His gaze refused to let her go. “I’m here for you . . . know that. Always.”
“How did I get so lucky to have a friend like you?” she murmured.
“Gia.” His intense stare was disconcerting. If he didn’t keep his eye on his kite, it was going to crash.
Overwhelmed, she gulped. “Yes?”
She was staring at Mike’s lips and he was studying hers and she had a feeling they were both thinking about the kiss they’d shared last week, and