A resigned sigh flees my lips as I swivel in my seat to face my best friend. We’re only twenty minutes into our journey to Greenwich, and honestly, I’m surprised she lasted this long before cornering me. “I was going to tell you when we got to my house. I didn’t want to explain while you were driving as you’re liable to drive us into a ditch.”
“What did that asshole do? I know this has to do with him.”
I fill her in as succinctly as I can, giving her the CliffsNotes version.
“Hehityou?” Alarm mixes with fury on her face.
“Yeah, but he won’t be doing it again.”
“You should have stabbed him.” Her eyes flash maniacally, reminding me there’s a whole side to my bestie I don’t really know.
“He’s not worth doing time over.”
“Puh-lease,” she scoffs, rolling her eyes. “You know we’d make his body disappear, and no one would ever point a finger at you.”
“That’s exactly what I’m afraid of and why you can’t tell anyone, Gigi. Especially not Joshua.”
Her eyes pop wide in shock. “You can’t be serious, Elisa! You need to at least tell Caleb what’s happened.”
“Are you kidding? He’d kill him!”
“I don’t see the issue.” She shrugs like casually discussing murder is no biggie.
“Sebastien is an asshole, but that doesn’t mean he deserves to die. It’s over between us, and he won’t get the opportunity to get to me again. I’d rather just draw a line under the whole thing and forget I ever dated him.”
“I think that’s the wrong call, babe.” She appeals to me with pleading eyes.
“I made a mistake with him, but it’s done now. It’s in the past. I don’t want to make this into a big drama with everyone involved and freaking out. Just let it go.”
Her features soften. “Does it hurt?” Her eyes drift to my cheek.
I shake my head. “It’s not sore anymore, just a little bruised.”
“Now the makeup makes sense.”
“You can’t see it, can you?” I ask, briefly touching my skin.
She shakes her head. “No, you camouflaged it well.”
“Then that’s that. Let’s go home.”
She starts up the engine before turning to look at me. “Just promise me if anything else happens you’ll tell me and you’ll tell your father or Caleb.”
“I promise I will.” I’m not stupid, and it’s an easy promise to make. If my ex refuses to accept we’re broken up, I won’t put up with any crap from him. I have enough on my plate with my approaching finals, and he’s not going to add to my stress.
“Okay.” She leans over and hugs me. “I’m glad he’s out of your life.”
“Me too.”
She puts the car into gear and glides back out onto the road. “What are you going to do about Caleb?” she asks a few beats later.
I lean back in my seat and nibble on my lip for a second. “I don’t know. I guess I’ll just wait and see.”
“Is this seat taken?” Caleb asks, looking down at me with a familiar charming grin. Easter dinner is at Ben and Sierra’s this year, and everyone is here now. I’ve had a nice chill couple of days at home, but I knew all that would change today. The twins only arrived late last night from the city along with Ben, Leo, and Alesso, who returned from the big meeting in Ireland. Sierra already laid down the law, insisting there is nomafiosotalk today. Today is for family, and business can wait. The long table is rapidly filling as our families claim seats while our moms ferry heaped plates of meat and vegetables to the table.
“It is now.” I smile softly at him. We always sat beside one another at family events, except for the last few occasions when I was mad at him and keeping my distance.
Caleb slides effortlessly into the seat beside me, flashing a signature grin. Around us, the rest of our families are getting settled, talking, laughing, and catching up. Rowan pretends not to look from his position on the other side of me as Caleb leans his mouth in close to my ear. “Word on the street is you’re single again.” His eyes come alive as his gaze devours my face. His lips brush against my earlobe, sending delicious tremors skating over every part of me. “But not for long if I have my way.”
