I know he’ll be at our biweekly friend dinner tomorrow at Sly and Vinnie’s. I’ll face him then.
Tonight I’m celebratingmeand my success, and I’ll be damned if I let my aching heart overwhelm this happiness.
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
Ican do this. I can face him.
Running my hands through my mermaid waves, I check my reflection in the mirror siding of the elevator on the way to Sly and Vinnie’s apartment.
My lips are painted in a soft pink matte lipstick, and the rest of my makeup’s kept light for a natural look. My outfit’s simple tonight, too. I’m wearing a cream-colored sweater dress that hugs my curves, the hemline reaching mid-thigh, and I’ve paired it with the leather thigh-high boots I know Luciano goes crazy for.
Not that I dressed with him in mind. I didn’t.
I miss him.
When I walk into Vinnie’s place a few minutes later, warmth envelops me as the garlicky scent of Italian food wafts through the air. Shrugging off my jacket, I hang it neatly in her coat closet by the front door, smiling at Nixon as he spots me from across the room.
Light conversation flickers around the space, and I scan the group, noticing everyone is here except for Luciano. His absence makes my heart sink, but the smile on my face never wavers as Imask the hurt I’m feeling like I have been every day since he left me on that rooftop.
“You made me fall so deep in fucking love, and the entire thing was just some sort of sick game.”
His words haunt me, but I force myself to push them to the back of my mind.
“Hey,” I greet with a smile I know doesn’t reach my eyes, joining everyone in the luxurious gourmet kitchen.
I place my phone down on the marble counter when Cecilia and Vinnie come hug me. They both squeeze me tight, like they know I need it.
Barely looking up, a couple of the guys tip their heads in my direction and continue their conversation over what appears to be glasses of scotch.
“Can I get you some wine?” Vinnie asks, reaching over to where the wineglasses hang by their stems.
“White, please.”
“How was the rest of your night last night?” Vinnie pours as she asks. We got home from dinner early, before eight. I spent the rest of the evening snuggled deep under my down comforter with Mickey-D curled up by my side.
“Uneventful and exactly what I needed.” I take the glass from her outstretched hand, then take a sip. “How was yours?”
“Heaven. Sly and I took a bath, and he rubbed my feet until every bit of tension floated from my body.”
“Piccola ladra, why are you telling Raina about our private time together?” Sly laughs, coming up beside her and kissing her on the side of the head.
“I always do,” Vinnie says at the same time as I say, “She always does.”
“You should know better than that, Sly. There are no secrets amongst friends,” Cecilia playfully lectures.
“See, I told you, Sly Guy.” Sully wraps his arm around Sly’s shoulders, shaking him. “No secrets.”
Sly ignores him and turns back to Vinnie. “Are we ready to eat, amore mio? I will serve if we are.”
“Sure.” She gives him a quick kiss before addressing the group. “Everyone, let’s eat!”
We all shuffle into the dining room, and I bite my tongue to keep from asking about Luciano and his whereabouts, trying to remain indifferent about why he’s not here.
But honestly, it’s killing me. I’m dying to see him to find out if he’s as sad and miserable as I am. I know I’m the one who’s now avoidinghiscalls, but it’s only to prove a point.
And I’m starting to think it’s the wrong decision.
Luciano’s name hasn’t been mentioned once, so either everyone except me knows where he’s at, or he’s not coming. Either way, I’ve been left out of the loop.
