Teach Me (18+)

Chapter Forty Nine

Gianna's Point of View

The timer for the oven went off, and the warm smell of garlic bread drifted through the kitchen like a soft reminder that I'd pushed myself too far again.

"Gigi! Can we take the bread out now?" Lily asked, looking up from the giant coloring page spread across the table.

"Sure, honey." I pushed myself up from the chair, trying to hide the way my side pinched sharply. The pain had been simmering since therapy, a dull ache that flared every time I moved too quickly. I didn't want her to see it. I didn't want anyone to see it.

"Maybe we can call Lovie?" she offered, watching me shuffle toward the oven. "She can help take out the food."

"No, baby, I got it."

I didn't, not really. But I needed to feel capable. Needed to feel like more than someone Eden had to take care of.

I opened the oven and the heat rushed out, stinging my face. My hands trembled slightly as I pulled out the baked spaghetti and garlic bread, but I managed. Barely.

"Want to set the table? I'll see where your aunt is."

"Okay, Gigi!" Lily hopped up, already grabbing forks with the kind of enthusiasm only a nine‑year‑old could have.

I slipped off the oven mitts and picked up my phone, dialing Eden. My thumb brushed the soft fabric of the mitts, a grounding habit I'd picked up lately, something to keep my hands busy when my nerves started buzzing.

She answered within a minute, her silky voice washing over me. "Hey baby, are you okay?"

"Yes," I said, though the ache in my side pulsed in disagreement. "Just checking on you. Are you still at work? It's a little late."

I glanced at Lily, who was carefully placing silverware around the plates I'd set out earlier. She was so gentle with everything, even the forks.

"I'm fine, baby. I just had something to take care of before I came home."
Her voice dipped, softening in that way it did when something was bothering her. She tried to hide it, but I knew her too well.

"What was it? It sounds like it's still bothering you."

A quiet breath came through the phone. "Just some stuff with the company. I'm pulling into the garage now."

"Okay. We'll meet you there."

I hung up and took Lily's hand, walking with her toward the garage. Each step tugged at my side, but I kept my face neutral. Eden didn't need one more thing to worry about.

The garage door opened just as we stepped inside. Eden's G‑Wagon rolled in, headlights flooding the space before she parked and cut the engine. The sudden quiet felt like a held breath.

"Lovieeee!" Lily squealed, sprinting toward her.

"Hi, bee." Eden scooped her up effortlessly, her whole face lighting up. "How was school today?"

"Good!" Lily clung to her like she'd been gone for days.

Eden's dark eyes lifted to mine, sweeping down my body before returning to my face. A slow smirk curved her lips. "You love stealing my clothes, don't you?"

I looked down at the soft pajama pants and matching tank top. "I just wanted to be comfortable. And these happened to be laid out in the bathroom this morning."

Her heels clicked against the concrete as she walked toward me, her perfume wrapping around me like a warm hand. "Yes, because I was going to put them on after I showered."