A muscle clenches in his jaw as he levels a lethal look at my best friend. “Butt the fuck out, Gia, or you and I will have problems.”
Gia flips him the bird. “Do I look concerned?”
I shift uncomfortably on my feet. I love how readily Gia rises to my defense, but Caleb will be her brother-in-law someday, and I don’t want to be the reason they don’t get along.
“This isn’t the time.” I fix both of them with a warning look. “Drop it. Please.”
“I’ll get it out of you.” Caleb pins me with a look that ordinarily weakens my knees, but I’m resisting these days and…hell.
I cling to Gia’s arm harder as I feel my knees buckle.
Who am I kidding?
I’m still hopelessly fixated on Caleb Accardi. The only difference now is I don’t want to be. I want to be cured of my addiction, and I’m prepared to do whatever it takes to detox him from my system. “Let it go, Caleb. Just let it go.”
He stares at me, and whatever he sees in my eyes is enough for him to back off. For now. I watch him walk off with a pain in my chest and knots in my stomach.
“He’s not going to give up,” Gia says. “He’s a stubborn motherfucker, and he won’t stop until he knows the truth.”
“I don’t understand how he hasn’t figured it out yet.” I shuck out of her hold as we walk across the busy space. “He’s smart, and it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to realize how badly he messed up.”
“Let’s grab a quick coffee break. I told Antonio I’d get him one. They’re keeping him overnight because they can’t operate tonight. There are more urgent cases who take precedent.”
“What about your dad? Is he still here?” I ask as we walk off.
She shakes her head. “He went home with Mom and Marco. His injury wasn’t serious. He got a couple of stitches and some pain meds, and they sent him on his merry way. Cosimo insisted on staying with me. He feels guilty Antonio took a bullet for him.”
“I can imagine.”
My cell pings in my jeans pocket just as we step into the elevator. Gia pushes the button for the cafeteria as I extract my phone and swipe my finger across the screen. My best friend leans over my shoulder as I open the text from Seb. “He’s so smitten.”
“I know.” The elevator moves as I tap a quick reply telling him I’m still with my family, which isn’t a full lie though it’s not the truth either. It’s hard dating someone outsidela famigliabecause they can’t know anything about themafioso. It means I have to lie to him sometimes, which I hate. He’s a nice guy, and he doesn’t deserve it.
“Wow, enthusiastic much?” Gia arches a brow as the doors ping open on the cafeteria level.
“I like him,” I protest. “And I’m giving it a shot, Gigi, which is a really big deal for me.” He is the first guy I have ever dated. All the others who asked me out were instantly rejected because I could never see past Caleb. I have been pathetically clinging to hope for years, and I feel like the biggest fool.
“I know it is.” She links her arm in mine as we make our way to the counter. It’s after four a.m., but the cafeteria is still moderately busy with loved ones anxiously awaiting news. “I’m proud of you for sticking to your guns.”
“It’s not easy. He’s not making it easy.”
“I think Caleb took you for granted for far too long. This is good for him. Let him see what he’s missing.”
“He doesn’t care,” I mumble. “Not really. His ego is bruised ’cause no one says no to him ever. This is a novelty, and it’ll wear off.”
“Hmm. I’m not so sure.”
We pause our conversation to order coffees, taking a seat at a nearby table while we wait for our order.
“What do you mean?” I knot my hands on my lap under the table.
“Joshua said he’s really down over it. He was upset you sent back the flowers.”
“I can’t accept roses from a man who isn’t my boyfriend, and I want nothing from Caleb anymore.” He always sends me flowers on Valentine’s Day, and this is the first time I’ve refused them. “He’s hurt me for the last time.” My choked tone conveys how much further I have to go with my rehabilitation.
“I’m glad to hear it. He has never deserved your love and attention.”
Tears prick the backs of my eyes. “Why was I never good enough, Gigi? I know I’m not beautiful like most of his conquests but I’m not ugly either.”
