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“Aurora!” she cries, standing up and coming toward me, hugging me tightly. She also smells like that fruity wine she loves, so I guess she’s been partying hard. “Let me pour you a glass of wine.”
I take the glass but only take a small sip, looking over at Bruno who is just gazing adoringly at Francesca. If I were to pick which of the men Francesca is seeing for her, I’d probably pick Bruno.
Marco is a violent man, and I’ve heard some horror stories, while Bruno is younger, a sweet guy for the most part, even though he may have a bit of a drug problem. That’s not unusual in his line of work, though, and he’s certainly got the money and support for rehab if he ever needs it.
Marco may be more straight-edge, only partaking in a couple of drinks socially and never overdoing it, but his personality is a lot more cut-throat, and I think Francesca deserves someone who looks at her the way that Bruno does. Not like he owns her, like Marco does, but like he just loves every move she makes.
I wish I had that.
I wish Nico would look at me like that.
I flush just thinking about it and take another gulp of my wine.
“We were about to put on some different music,” Francesca says, wrinkling her nose. “The stuff they’re playing downstairs is so...old.”
I chuckle. Classical music plays quietly downstairs, and I guess she’s right, it’s centuries old. She puts on a record, some hip-hop song, and bounces around to the music, shaking her hair all around.
Bruno looks at her like she’s the only woman in the room, and I can’t help but smile. I hope in the end, she chooses Bruno.
Francesca finishes her wine and then pulls me into dancing with her. I laugh and sway along with her, moving my hips and taking hold of hers to dance with her. Francesca is always fun, and that’s one of the reasons that we’ve always been so close.
Another reason is that she’s always been there for me, good and bad times.
She’s never made me feel like lesser, even though sometimes I feel like I’m in the shadow of her great looks and big personality, and I’m grateful to her for being my friend.
Bruno stands up and starts to dance behind Francesca and she leans back against him. He kisses her throat and I cough to make my presence known.
“Get a room,” I mutter, and Francesca belly-laughs and pushes away from him.
“She’s right,” she says. “I’m here with Aurora, you know? She’s really my date.” She links her arm through mine, leaning her head against mine. She’s taller and thinner than me, but we fit together well.
I smile at Bruno and he smiles back but only has eyes for Francesca.
“Isn’t this dress gorgeous on her, Bruno?” she asks, and Bruno nods but he’s still looking at Francesca.
“Everyone’s complimented me on it,” I say. “Even Nico.”
Francesca’s eyes widen. “Even my brooding brother says it’s a nice dress? You really arewearingit, then, Aurora!”
I smile at her and she leads me over to the desk, where there’s a mirror and white lines spread out on the table.
I feel myself go pale.
“You know that I don’t like this kind of stuff, Francesca,” I mutter, and she pouts.
“I know, Aurora. I’m just having a little fun,” she says and does a line. I frown but at least she’s not pushing me to try it.
I know that my mother has issues with addiction, or at least she did before she disappeared on us, so I never want to put myself in that kind of situation.
I look out through the window and see a familiar-looking car pulling up. I frown even deeper and grab Francesca’s arm.
She sniffles and stands, looking out the window.
“Tell me that’s not...” I trail off and look at Francesca, who goes instantly pale.
“Shit,” she curses under her breath, and grabs onto my arm, dragging me out into the hallway and into a closet with towels and linens folded up on the shelves. She puts a finger to my lips.
“Be quiet,” she whispers.
