I look up from my phone. “What’s that?”
“I asked if you were texting Liam,” Elizabeth says softly, eyes kind.
I sigh and nod. “He wanted to make sure I made it here.”
She giggles, “Yeah. Sounds like a controlling jerk.”
I growl and she frowns.
“Sorry. I didn’t mean to snarl. He makes me crazy.”
Elizabeth refills my wineglass and then grabs hers before nodding to her hallway. “Let’s go sit in the living room. You can tell me all about it.”
So I do. I rant and rave. Detail all of my stupidity. The fund. The Greeks. Every word I heard Liam say. Elizabeth interrupts me a few times to ask for clarification or for me to repeat something. I guess my voice drops to a low growl when I’m pissed off.
“I think the Greeks are dangerous, Tare. My father doesn’t warn me about much, but he was very clear that he wants me to stay away from them,” Elizabeth shares.
“I thought your dad is a senator.” I understand that Elizabeth’s dad is involved in this world somehow, but I had no idea he’d be tuned into these specific mob politics.
“He is.” She nods. “But he works with The Family a lot. Even though they have some sort of deal with the Greeks right now, my dad warned me about them over winter break. Again. I think it’s their activities that scare him. He’d love to stop them.” She’s referencing the trafficking. I guess everyone knows about it. Why everyone isn’t trying to stop them is beyond me.
“Their business disgusts me,” I tell her before taking another gulp of wine.
She nods. “At least you know that your family isn’t involved in that. My dad works on a task force aimed at stopping such things. I think The Family helps some.”
I ponder that. “I didn’t think any other organizations would want to get involved.”
She shrugs. “I don’t really know. I used to be closer to it all, but not so much anymore. After high school, I quit going with my father to the Larozzi compound when he visits.”
“Didn’t want to see the twins?” I tease. I’m referring to Gráinne’s fiancé, Luca Larozzi, and his twin brother, Matteo.
“They didn’t want to see me,” she states flatly.
“What? Why?” I don’t like her tone. It’s got an edge of anger to it, which isn’t even a little like the Elizabeth I know and adore.
“Now isn’t the time to get into why Matteo was a jerk in high school.” She pauses. “Ya know what? The truth is, he’s still a jerk today.” She takes a deep breath. “But never mind all that. Right now, I need you to tell me whatyouneed. Did you just come here to get away from Liam and you want me tojustlisten? Or, do you want me to tell you what I think? Or, should we talk about ways to solve this? I can do any of that for you.” Elizabeth’s smile is gentle when her hand squeezes my thigh. “Or, if you don’t want to talk any more, I can turn on a horror movie or someWalking Deadreruns.”
This is why I love her. I can’t imagine a better friend. She just put some dark memory from high school behind her to comfort me. And she would gladly keep her opinions to herself if I just want to be mad for a while. Offering me that option is amazing. I strongly consider it. I’m getting a nice buzz and I’m not sure I could brainstorm solutions with her anyway.
“I don’t know if I’m in the best headspace to solve any problems right now,” I tell her honestly. “But, I would like to hear what you think…and then maybe theWalking Dead.” I really love that show.
“Great. Let me grab you a bottle of water first.”
As she moves to her kitchen, I remember Liam telling me to drink more water that night at Madness, and me telling him later that I don’t always drink my problems away. I lean my head back against the couch. He was trying to take care of me even back then; I just don’t know if I can handle his type of care.
Elizabeth returns with the water bottle, twisting the cap before handing it to me like she’s worried I’ll pretend I don’t need it. I take it from her with a sigh.
She settles onto the couch beside me and folds one leg under the other, her posture relaxed even as her eyes study me closely.
“Tare,” she starts, her voice soft. “I love you. You know that, right?”
I nod, bracing for it.
She smiles kindly. “Okay, good. Because what I’m about to say comes from love. Not judgment. Just…best friend honesty.”
I nod again.
“I think you’re hurt and angry and spiraling a little right now,” she says carefully. “Which is totally fair. But I also think you need to breathe. Just for a second. Because you’re married now, and that means—whether you like it or not—your choices affect someone else.”
