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“We can’t go to the spa,” Nadia says and sips her mimosa, “so why not bring them to us? Oh, here, I chose the red polish for my toes.”
Nadia passes her nail tech the polish and then grins over at me.
I don’t remember the last time I felt this relaxed. My toes are freshly painted pink, I’ve had a massage and a facial, and just finished eating the best salad I’ve ever had in my life. And now I’m sitting with my best friends, drinking mimosas. It feels like the old times.
“I want to marry that masseuse,” Annika says with a wink. “He had very good hands.”
“Raul is amazing,” the nail tech says with a grin. “And is my husband.”
“You’re a lucky woman.” Annika laughs.
“I think Rafe would be unhappy if you married the masseuse,” I say and slide a sly look over at my best friend. “I noticed he went directly to your room when he got back last night.”
Annika shifts in her seat and reaches to refill her glass. “He was just checking in.”
“Are you ever going to give him a chance?” Nadia demands. “You’re not married anymore. I know Rich has only been dead for, like, three months, but there’s no love lost there.”
The nail tech clears her throat and tightens the lid on her portable caddy. “Ladies, I think we’re done here. It was a pleasure to meet you all.”
“Thank you,” we all say in unison. Nadia and the woman exchange a couple of words about the bill, and then we’re alone in the sunroom. “I think I might have scared her when I mentioned that your husband is dead.”
“I thought she was going to choke.” I shake my head and then giggle. “Anyway, the point is still valid. Rich was a grade-A dick, and he’s gone. There’s no reason you can’t start something with Rafe.”
“Rafe isn’t meant for me,” Annika insists.
“You’re so fucking stubborn.” I sit up and turn to face my friend. “It’s not every day that a girl meets a guy who looks at her the way Rafe looks at you.”
“Oh, you mean the way Shane looks at you?” Annika counters. “Tell us what’s going on there.”
“You’re changing the subject.”
Nadia and Annika just lean in closer, waiting for me to answer.
“Fine. Shane is awesome. The sex is off the charts. He’s attentive and sweet, and sometimes maddening. But, hey, who isn’t, right?”
“Carmine drives me up the fucking wall,” Nadia agrees. “Have you said the L-word yet?”
“No.” I sigh and stand to pace the room, but when I almost trip and fall into the fountain, I return to my chair where it’s safe. “There are…issues.”
“Honey, you don’t get past the age of sixteen and not have issues,” Annika reminds me. “I mean, I know that yours are heavier than most, but you’ve come a long way since that girl in New York.”
“Not just my stuff—of which there is legion—but he has stuff, too. And I don’t think Shane is convinced that he deserves to have someone in his life long-term, you know? He’s told me a bit of what his job is, and that coupled with his family and all of those responsibilities…I think he’s resigned to being alone. And that’s sad.”
“You’re in love with him.” Annika’s statement leaves no room for argument. And I don’t want to deny it.
“I am.” I prop my chin in my hand and sigh. “I mean, have you seen his muscles? And that smile? And when he gets really intense, his brown eyes get this edge to them that makes me want to just bite him.”
“Carmine has the same eyes,” Nadia says with a nod.
“So does Rafe, except his are blue.” Annika blinks when we just stare at her. “What? They’re brothers.”
“Anyway, we’ll figure it out, one way or the other. I just hope I don’t end up with a broken heart because that will suck.”
“If he breaks your heart, I’ll break his kneecaps,” Nadia says.
“You’re scary sometimes.” I pour more mimosas for all of us. “Sometimes, like now, it’s easy to forget that you’re a badass bratva princess.”
“Honey, I’m a queen.” Nadia’s grin is sassy and confident.
“I want to be Nadia when I grow up,” I declare as I raise my glass to my lips. “Now, tell us about the wedding plans.”
“We’re going to have it here. At this house.”
“Oh, that’s a great idea,” Annika says. “The grounds are just gorgeous.”
“Yeah, and Carmine was really close with his grandmother, so I think it’s a nice tribute to her.” Nadia shrugs a shoulder. “My father is fine with it, which kind of surprised me given that our families haven’t always been besties, but things are better now.”
“Do you have a dress?” I ask. “I hate that this whole mess has happened while you’re planning, and that I haven’t been able to go with you.”
