“And then some.” Her lips twitch.
“He made it good for you?” I ask, even as jealousy rears its ugly head.
“He did.”
“Did you two date then?”
She shakes her head. “It was a one-time thing, and it never went further. Neither of us was interested in more.”
“I see.”
Gia sighs. “I knew I shouldn’t have said anything.”
“No, it’s fine. I’m glad I know. I wouldn’t like being the only one in the dark.”
“I’m sure Cristian will tell you himself at some point,” Elisa says. “He’s not the kind of man who plays games.”
Three beauticians arrive then to escort us to the treatment rooms for our facials, followed by massages. I doze on the table during both treatments for a little while, and I’m more relaxed than I have been in months when I head out to the communal area for my manicure and pedicure. I’m seated between the two best friends, and we chat away as the salon staff attends to us.
I decline more champagne in favor of herbal tea, which I enjoy with some complimentary fruit.
The conversation is casual until the subject switches to Isotta’s impending wedding. “I wish you were both going,” I admit. “It’d be nice to see some friendly faces.”
“She would never invite me,” Gia says, admiring her fingernails. “We have a mutual hate-hate relationship.”
“Maybe she has a dislike for blondes,” I say. “Because she never even gave me a chance.”
Gia snorts. “That’s her all over. She would’ve taken one look at you and been insanely jealous. I’m convinced she wants Cristian, though he tells me I’m ridiculous.”
“I wouldn’t be surprised if that was true,” I agree, sipping the last of my tea. “She’s very territorial with Elio and Cristian. She accused me of being a gold digger.”
“She did not!” Elisa’s shocked gasp turns a few heads.
“I don’t know why you’re so shocked, Lise. That is pure Isa,” Gia says. “She considers every female her competition, and the claws always come out.”
“Cristian says she’ll be fine with me at the wedding, but I’m not so sure. If it were my wedding, I wouldn’t want her at it.”
“She won’t cross Cristian,” Gia says. “He’s an important man in our social circles,” she cryptically adds.
Anytime I feel guilt building at all the things I’m concealing, I remind myself these ladies are keeping secrets from me, too, and I don’t feel so bad. I wish all the cards could be put on the table because I’d love to claim these girls as my friends for real. But wishes usually don’t come true, especially in my case.
“Speaking of the wedding, how dressy will it be?” I ask, thinking of the paltry clothing in my closet. “I don’t have a huge selection of wedding-appropriate dresses, and I’m wondering if I need to go shopping.” I don’t have much money, as most of my weekly salary is going into a fake bank account the cartel controls. However, I’m sure I can get a dress if I tell Pablo, but I’d rather not divulge my plans in advance. The less that asshole knows, the better.
Elisa and Gia share a smile. “You don’t need to worry about that,” Elisa says.
I frown. “I don’t?”
“Cristian has it covered,” Gia replies in another cryptic display.
“And you don’t need to worry about hair or makeup either,” Elisa adds. “We’ve organized a girl to come to the penthouse tomorrow as our treat.”
“Why would you do that?” I blurt.
“You’re our friend, and it’s what friends do,” Elisa says.
“It’s too much,” I protest, blown away by their thoughtfulness and generosity.
“Cristian insisted on paying for today,” Elisa adds. “So, the least we could do was ensure you look like a million dollars tomorrow. I always feel amazing when I get my hair and makeup professionally done.”
