AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I appreciate it,” Cristian replies, his tone as dry as the paint on the walls.
“What are you talking about?” Benny asks, his gaze wandering to me.
“Neomi and Gretchen hung out today,” Gigi answers for me, perking up in her chair and eagerly swirling her wine in her glass. “Quality girl time.”
Gigi likes to stir up shit.
She’s definitely a Marchetti.
Natalia covers her mouth and laughs.
All eyes are on Benny, waiting for his reaction.
“Everything good then?” Benny asks, and a slight yawn leaves him with the last word.
“Considering they are both breathing, I believe so,” Cristian says, straightening his white cloth napkin onto his lap.
Benny gives no reaction to Gretchen and me speaking. You’d think we were old friends.
The door swings open, and two servers step through with plates in their hands. All Gretchen conversation ceases as they deliver the rib eye with pesto pasta and Caesar salad.
We make small talk while eating.
I don’t say much. I just watch.
I focus on Cristian and Natalia interacting.
Just like in the foyer, he speaks and stares at her as if she owns his world.
They call him Monster Marchetti, but there’s a light when she’s with him.
I want the same with Benny.
And just maybe … I might get it.
* * *
“Areyou upset I spoke with Gretchen?” I ask Benny on our drive home.
He hasn’t shown one sign he’s angry.
In fact, he’s acted the opposite.
Squeezing my thigh under the dinner table.
Giving me half his chocolate cake after I devoured mine.
Complimenting my cooking skills to his family.
My question is from my insecurity … and curiosity.
Benny clicks the turn signal and cuts a right at a stop sign. “Why would I be mad?”
I smooth a hand down my hair. “Because she used to be your …”
“My what?”
“I don’t know.” I stiffen my spine and sit straighter in my seat. “Why don’t you answer for me?”
