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“Uh,” I say, but it’s too late. Elise gets started, asking my favorite shows, favorite movies and music, where I grew up, what I did as a kid, all that good stuff. I tell them everything I can (Dawson’s Creek, She’s All That, Jane’s Addiction, not far from Villa Bruno but in the poor areas of Phoenix, collected rocks, yes, seriously, rocks, also obsessed about the ‘90s if that wasn’t obvious already, etc.), and soon the night grows deep and dark.
After a couple more glasses of wine, the party breaks up. The women head inside, laughing together, and I hang back with Karah. She stands close to me and we linger near the back wall, staring out into the black beyond the edges of the light.
“All that stuff about Gavino and Sonia should stay between us,” Karah says. “It’s not like you can’t know, but he’ll be upset if he realizes we’re talking about him.”
“I understand.”
“And don’t let Olivia get to you. She’s the Don’s wife, which means she’s extra paranoid.”
“She’s nice though. I mean, once you get past the fact that she clearly hates that I’m here.”
Karah laughs and nods. “She is nice. You’ll like her when she opens up.”
“I’m not sure I’ll be around long enough for that.”
Her smile fades and she shrugs. “I’ll tell you something else about Gavino. He hasn’t been with a woman since Sonia. I mean, I’m sure he’s had women, which I don’t like to think about since he’s my freaking brother, but he hasn’t brought a woman home in a very long time. It’s strange that you’re here and I’m not sure what to make of it, but so long as you don’t try to hurt the family, I’m happy that he decided it’s time.”
“It’s time for what?” I feel myself blushing again.
“To open himself up.” She turns away and heads to the back door.
“It’s not like that,” I call out. “I just needed a safe place to stay. It’s a business arrangement!”
“That’s what we all said.” Karah laughs and disappears inside.
I stand there alone with my wine. I throw it back, trying not to picture myself sitting at that table, night after night, talking and laughing and becoming a part of their world. A part of their family.
It’s a tempting vision and one that will never, ever happen.
What am I supposed to make of these women? How am I supposed to think about Gavino now?
Did he really bring me here because he wants something more?
The idea seems absurd, but then I think back to the way he touched me, kissed me, the way he still looks at me—and I wonder.
As I turn back to the house, a member of the staff hustles out the back door. He’s a young kid, maybe nineteen at most. “Uh, excuse me, Ms. Jeanie?”
“Just Jeanie.”
“Jeanie, Mr. Gavino wants you over at his place for dinner.”
“Right now?”
He nods quickly. “Should I tell him—?”
“I’ll head over. Thank you.”
The kid scurries away. I turn to stare into the night and my heart’s doing flips as I walk down the steps and march off to Gavino’s place, not sure what he wants, and terrified of finding out.
