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Mama and Papa are talking to a man who doesn’t look familiar, but he is very good-looking. He is tall, young, and has a look of innocence, which is rare in my experience.
He looks like he could be a cop. His face lifts into a smile that shows his white teeth. A contagious smile.
Once I realize I have been ogling him for too long, I look around the room and see Max talking to another new girl. This one has a kid with her. I know for a fact I have never seen her before because she has jet-black hair, the opposite of what Max’s type is.
He lifts a glass to his lips as he looks at the little girl who is trying to pull him to a board game. I haven’t seen him smile like that in years.
That used to be me, pulling my brother’s arm and begging him to play a game with me. He always let me win, even if I cheated as if my life depended on it.
“He’s a handsome man, isn’t he?” Madeleine steps behind me, planting a gentle kiss on the back of my head. She is talking about the man I don’t know.
“To say the least.”
“He hardly shows his face anymore. Such a shame.” She winks at him across the room, but he quickly looks away.
Is she involved with him?
“Happy birthday!” Savini says, rushing toward Madeleine and me from across the room, directing everyone’s attention to me.
“Savini, oh my gosh!” I throw my arms around her, embracing her in a hug.
“Do the decorations look all right? I spoke to your mother, and we set up while you hid away in your room all day!”
I flinch at her words.People noticed that I moped in my bedroom all day?But I couldn’t help it after everything that happened last night.
“I love it,” I say, looking around the room, noticing all the birthday signs.
Savini hardly comes by anymore. She is best friends with Madeleine. I kind of wish I was able to spend more time with them, but I don’t have the luxury.
They’ve spent the past five years traveling the world, and I am sure they are not finished yet.
Their experiences of the world only worsen my mood. I don’t want to celebrate this day. If anything, it is one of the worst days for me because it means my years of freedom are over.
“It’s not too much?” Madeleine says, elbowing my side, laughing.
“Not at all.”
I lean on the kitchen island trying to push the memory of everything to do with Gio out of my head.
Savini used to be involved with him. Some people say he got bored with her, and others say it’s because she has a bland personality.
I don’t agree with the second one. She has always been a good person to hang out with. I don’t understand how someone could get bored of her either. She goes out every day, always chasing adventure. Last year, she couldn’t make it to the Christmas party because she was in Thailand sipping fine drinks and wearing a bikini all day.
“Nina!” my father shouts, waving me over in his direction.
My face flushes, my nerves getting the better of me. I move the turtleneck sweater dress further up my neck. I know the bruise and tattoo are covered, but I can’t help but feel like everyone here has X-ray vision.
Madeleine and Savini widen their eyes at me. “Good luck,” Madeleine says, pulling on the ends of my hair.
I grab another drink off the kitchen counter before heading toward my parents and the very fine man.
My feet grow roots in the floorboards beneath me as the new man looks me up and down, soaking in every feature I have.
“This is Marco. I thought you two would like to meet officially.” Papa pushes me a little closer to him.
“Marco.” His large hand reaches over to grab mine.
“Nina.” I laugh, shaking his hand. “But I assume you knew that already.”
