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“Never will,” I say matter-of-factly. “Have you seen Bruno anywhere?”
Angelo shrugs. “He could be anywhere, you know Bruno. Probably partying somewhere in a bathroom.”
Bruno isn’t a stranger to hard drugs, so it’s not uncommon to find him doing lines in a bathroom. I let out a long breath.
At least he’ll be talkative.
“Thanks,” I mutter, and walk toward the balcony on the second floor. I look down at the people in the yard, seeing if I can catch sight of Bruno, but no such luck. I don’t see Francesca, either, so I assume they’re together.
I wrinkle my nose. I don’t want to walk in on that, so maybe I should just take a break. I pull out a pack of cigarettes from my jacket. It’s a habit I’m trying to break, so I only smoke once every blue moon, now, when things are really bad.
I put the cigarette in my mouth but don’t light it. I like to just feel it there. I satisfies the craving somehow.
I keep thinking about that body on Aurora. How come I haven’t ever noticed?
She’s too young for you,I tell myself.Stop it.
But the image of her tanned, thick thighs is tattooed beneath my eyelids when I close my eyes briefly.
I’ve got to get it together.
3
AURORA
I’ve never been particularly popular, but there must be something to this dress, because men keep coming up to me, introducing themselves.
Alessandro Barone, Marco’s younger brother, walks up to me, looking me up and down.
“What’s your name, pretty girl?” he asks in a low tone, and I snort out a laugh.
“You’ve known me since high school, Alessandro. I was the year ahead of you? We were in choir together?”
He just looks at me blankly.
“Aurora Costa,” I say, sighing, and his eyes widen.
“No fucking way,” he says in a mumble, and for the first time I notice his eyes are a bit glassy. I don’t smell booze, though, so I suspect drugs.
“You’ve been hanging out with Bruno too much,” I accuse, and Alessandro shrugs, smirking.
“Maybe. I can’t believe I didn’t recognize you,” he says, stepping closer. I back away, not wanting to get cornered by him.
“I guess that’s a compliment?” I say dryly.
“Of course it is. Look at you,” he says, licking his lips. “I never noticed you before, but thatdress...”
“Well, you can go back to not noticing me again,” I say flatly. “I’m looking for Francesca,” I say finally, wanting to get to her before she starts doing lines, as well. I hate it when she does hard drugs, she turns into a person that I don’t really like. I know that Nico worries about her, too.
“I saw her with Bruno in his office earlier,” he says, and I nod, making my way up the stairs, teetering a little in Francesca’s tall heels. I can’t believe I let her talk me into this outfit and these shoes, but here I am.
I walk past Dante and his wife, Mia, and I smile at her swollen belly. I’ve always wanted kids of my own, but I’m not sure that it’s in the cards for me since guys tend not to notice me. Usually.
I push the thought out of my mind, not wanting to think about that while I’m trying to have fun at a party. I guess I have been having fun, especially when Nico gave me a compliment. I can still feel his hand on my chin, how he tilted my face up to his like he was going to kiss me. I have to keep myself from shuddering in pleasure just thinking about it.
Did he really think I looked beautiful tonight? Francesca’s giggle sounds from inside a room with an open door as I walk down the hallway. I smile, rolling my eyes.
I knock on the doorjamb and Francesca is in Bruno’s lap and they are both sniffling, so I know they’ve been partaking in Bruno’s stash.
