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I wasn’t seeking a relationship and somehow I found myself in one, but as much as I miss the annoying bastard, I can’t compromise my morals. I often teased him about purgatory, but if we stayed together… if I ignored what he does, I’d feel my work was tainted.
My feet are soaked and chilled to the bone. I’ve been walking for over an hour. I don’t want to go home. Dad and Bianca are gone, and my apartment is emptier than ever before.
It’s as if they took its energy and vibe away when they left. But they didn’t. It left with the man who didn’t care to stay. Or to argue with me on my point.
I call Sydney, but I get her voicemail. Paris is gone, so I sigh and dial Gio.
“I’m not talking to you about my love life,” he growls instead of a greeting.
“So there is a love life to talk about?” I can’t help but laugh. He certainly shocked us last week.
“What do you want, Lo?”
The hum in the background sounds familiar. “Are you at the club? Can I come have a coffee with you? I’m about ten minutes away.”
“Why?”
“Jesus, Gio, I don’t want to be alone. No love life talk, I promise. Can—”
“Okay.” He hangs up. What is it with the Cassinettis and their phone manners? Bianca does the same thing.
I arrive to find him at his usual table by the glass wall overlooking the city skyline. Right now, the view is sheathed in fog, or whatever this wintery condensation is that makes everyone miserable. Even more than we already are.
“Jesus, Lo, what’s with your shoes?” He looks around, apparently embarrassed by me.
My suede boots are soaked, practically destroyed. He’s probably not too pleased with my jeans and sweatshirt. They are nice, but definitely not good enough for this stuck-up place. Well, he could be happy I’m wearing jeans. It’s been leggings for the past few days. Today’s outfit is an upgrade.
As I sit down, I have to admit his bespoke suit screams in contrast to my casual, carelessly put together attire. “Sorry, I didn’t plan on coming.”
“Is this how you normally dress?” His scrunched-up face looks like he’s just discovered I have an infectious disease.
“Yeah, bro, discovering life now that you’re actually looking around?”
The server interrupts ourfriendlysiblings’ spat and we both order wine.
“So your boyfriend is coming back soon?”
Seriously? I came to forget the whole thing. To get reasonably distracted and force the time to pass faster without the constant droning of my mind over the part of my brain that stored all the memories of Dominic and then swelled like a tumor.
Gio doesn’t know we broke up, so I guess I can’t blame him. In fact, how does he know Dominic has been gone?
“What do you mean?”And can we talk about something else?I don’t say that because it would only make him think there is something to talk about.
“He dropped his client. It’s made the headlines. Not a front-page story, but it’s juicy enough news.”
His words reverberate inside my body, my heart racing like a herd of galloping horses. My head throbs as though they thundered through my temples.
Forgoing all my intentions not to discuss this, I blurt, “He dropped the Napoli murder case?” It must be that. Unless Dominic has already picked up other high-profile cases.
“You didn’t know? I thought it was a mutual decision. The official quote ispersonal reasons.”
I want to stand up and run to Chicago. Or to Dominic’s apartment here. Or at least to a private corner where I can call him. But I don’t move. I don’t blink. I don’t allow hope to direct my actions. Or reactions.
“What’s going on? Frankly, I’ve met Napoli once, and the fucker is bad news. It wouldn’t look good for your foundation to be associated with someone like him.”
The server brings our order and I swallow the whole drink down without thought, then return the empty glass to the table.
Gio immediately gestures for a refill. “You’re acting strange, Lo. You know I don’t like drama. I don’t know how to deal with that. Shall I call Syd, or someone who is not me?”
