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“For four years?”
“Yes.”
I didn’t like to explain myself to anyone, especially about what Sasa and I did, but I owed it to Pina in exchange for her silence.
“Grazia, this is madness.”
“Don’t you think I know that? I lived it, Pina. All the madness, the secrets, the guilt, I’ve been through all of it, so if you’re here to lecture me, this is really a bad time.”
“I’m here because I’m worried! I’ve heard the stories, Grazia. Fabiano would rather shake hands with the devil than ever touch someone from the Fiori family ever again. Can you imagine what would happen if he’d hear about this?”
I stayed awake many nights imagining what would happen. Her warning was not necessary.
“Are you going to tell him?”
She stepped back and her mouth opened in shock. I had to ask.
“That’s a death sentence, Grazia. Do you really think I could do that to you?”
I shrugged. “Ariana would say that theDoncomes first.”
“Ariana is a little too selfish for her own good. We arefamiglia, but we’re also friends. You’re mybestfriend.”
“You too, Pina.”
She took my hand and came to sit next to me.
“I still don’t understand what happened? If you and Salvatore don’t talk, why is he asking for you in the middle of the day, close to your house, like no one wants to kill him around here?”
“He’s been acting weird the past few months – more possessive, taking more risks. It’s why I had to leave Ari’s birthday party early. Salvatore knew I was going out and sent Yannis to watch me.”
“Why is he doing that? He of all people has to know how dangerous this is. He’ll beDonsoon.”
“Oh, he knows, but he’s stubborn. Trust me, we fought a lot about it.”
“I can’t believe he came to see me. Why would he do that? Grazia, I love you, but if someone would have seen me with Salvatore and told my dad…” it would have been ugly. She didn’t have to say it.
“I know and I really am sorry for that. I broke things off and he got… a little crazy, I guess.”
“It’s over?”
“It’s over.”
“And how do you feel about that?”
My eyes fell to the floor.
“Like someone cut me a million times with a very small blade.” It wasn’t quite the right description, but it was the best I could think of – sharp, cutting pain. “Look, I know everyone expected me to forget him the momentBabbosaid so, like a good little daughter, but it wasn’t so simple. He is part of me – part of my heart – and that will never change.”
“I know. I could tell you loved him since you were six. And he… oh, boy, the way that man looks at you? The way his eyes change when he talks about you? There’s no wonder every girl we’ve ever known was jealous of you. Not only that you had the Fiori prince promised in marriage, but half of them can only dream about someone loving them like that. It used to drive Ari insane.”
“Pina, you’re really not helping.” I didn’t need her to tell me what I had to give up. I knew it. Salvatore and I were not just two people pushed into an arrangement. God made him for me.
“Sorry, girl. I’m still reeling.” She hugged my shoulders trying to cheer me up. “Whatever you decide to do, I’m here to help.”
“The decision is made. It’s over.”
“Then I’m here to help you through it. How about we go hit the shops, buy something nice?”
