AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Enzo leans forward, telling the cab driver the address.
I wiggle my shoulders for some room. “Where were we? Oh yeah, the fact that you think I’m not a people person. How do you think I’ve become so successful in this business?”
Annie blows out a breath and looks at Enzo.
“Let’s just leave it be for now,” Enzo says, staring out the window. He knows I’m not going to, and he doesn’t want to see his girlfriend upset because the fucking sun revolves around her these days.
“No.”
“Jesus, Carm!” Annie snaps, alarming everyone in the car.
Even the cabbie is staring at us through the rearview mirror.
Enzo’s head swivels so fast, I’m surprised he can stop it from circling around in a three-sixty.
“What?” I ask like a wounded puppy.
“You’re only interested in fucking these women, so why would you think you’re leaving a good lasting impression on them? It’s not rocket science. You screw them and leave them, probably before you find out their last name or anything about them other than what drink they were consuming when you ordered them a second.” Annie huffs and crosses her arms. “You want my unguarded opinion?”
“Annie,” Enzo says, which means there’s definitely been some discussion about me.
“No.” I put my hand up in Enzo’s face. “Let the lady speak.”
My eyes lock with hers, and just like the Annie I’m growing to love like a sister, she doesn’t back down. “You can be a disgusting pig who sees no value in a woman beyond what’s between their legs.”
“Jesus Christ,” Enzo says under his breath.
“Disgusting pig? At least call me a cow, because I am grade-A beef, Annie.”
Her eyes lose their fire and she shakes her head. “Impossible.” She stares out the window.
I laugh. “Man, you’re a ballbuster.” I swing my arm around her and find it’s a helluva lot more comfortable. “You could definitely be a Mancini. Don’t let Enzo shut you up.”
She continues to shake her head.
“Get your arm off her,” Enzo says in his low, brooding tone.
Lucky for him we arrive at our destination. Once he opens up the door, my lungs can finally fully expand.
“Pay for the cab,” he says.
I dig for cash in my pocket and pay the cab because I kind of invited myself along for the ride.
Once we’re all on the street, I stare at Annie. “For you, I’m going to try to make friends with my new neighbor across the hall. How hard can it be to befriend the she-devil?”
Annie looks at Enzo, uncertainty in her eyes. We’re about to walk in when her hand lands on my forearm, stopping me. I turn, and in her eyes isn’t uncertainty or disgust or any of the emotions I’ve seen there this entire conversation. It’s sympathy. I wait to hear what she seems desperate to convey, but she stays silent.
“What?” I ask, the door falling from my grasp.
“I just… I don’t want to see you miss out—”
“Enough.” Enzo puts his hands on her cheeks and walks her to the wall of the building, where he places his lips on hers.
“You’re in public,” I say, but Enzo doesn’t stop. “Annie was talking to me.”
“There you are.” Justin heaves for a breath, stopping next to me. “Is your phone off?”
My eyes search out Enzo and Annie, who are still sucking face as though they’re fourteen and trying to get in a make-out session before their parents pick them up. And I’m the one who’s preoccupied with getting one thing from the opposite sex?
