Page 111 of The Obsession
I turn in my seat and smile at Lucia beside me as I sink back into the leather, trying not to stare at everything like a newbie who’s never seen the inside of a limo, let alone ridden in one.
The car smells like expensive cologne and new leather. Everything is polished to a pristine shine, and it’s so quiet in here that it feels like we’re sealed off from the world outside. I wonder if the windows are bulletproof.
“You look super cute, Em,” Lucia says, pinching the colourful fabric of my loose harem pants between her fingers. “I like these.”
“Thanks,” I reply, forcing a smile as I glance out through the tinted window. As the driver pulls away I’m left wondering if Dominic is inside watching us. Not that I should care, but for some reason, I do. Walking away from him and Lil’ Peach wasn’t easy, but it needed to be done.
“How are you feeling today, chicka?” Lucia asks, as if reading my thoughts.
I lift one shoulder as my eyes move from her to the Italian brute sitting beside her sister. I don’t want to have this conversation in front of him. My sex life,or lack thereof, is none of his business, and besides, since he’s part of theFamiglia, he’s probably friends with Dominic.
“Confused,” I admit, but that’s all I’m going to give her right now.
I called her last night after Dominic abandoned me on the sofa. I’m not even sure why I did, but I needed to talk to someone. It’s been a long time since I’ve had a friend close enough to share things with.
It’s not like I can call my mum and talk about what happened. We’re not as close as we once were, and although I’ve opened up to her about things in the past, my sex life is definitely not something I’m comfortable discussing with her.
Lucia’s hand moves back to my leg and gives it a small squeeze. “We can talk about it over lunch after a few wines.”
“That’s not fair,” Arabella chimes in, rubbing her small baby belly.
“Sucks to be you, Bell-Bell,” Lucia shoots back.
Arabella sticks out her tongue, and Lucia and I both laugh. I love the relationship these two have. I always wanted a sibling. Well, technically, I have two half-siblings living overseas with my dad.
Two little people that share some of my DNA that I’ve never met, which makes me so sad, and sometimes I wonder if they even know I exist.
Over the years, my father has gone to great lengths to stop me from flying over to meet them, always coming up with excuses that held no merit. Does his new family even know he had a wife and a child before they came along?
“I’ll drink enough for both of us,” Lucia says, nudging me with her elbow.
I give her a small smile, because as much as I’d love to drink a glass of wine or twenty, alcohol will probably only amplify all the shitty things that have happened since I’vereturned to this stupid town, and then I’ll humiliate myself further by getting upset.
“Did you know Dominic messaged me a few minutes ago?” Lucia asks.
“He did?” I reply as my mood sours instantly. I was right. He didn’t believe me. This is Mick all over again.
“He wanted to make sure there’d be security with us today, and made me promise I’d keep you safe.”
I hate how that knowledge makes my heart rate kick up a beat.
“Oh,” I say as my eyes widen.
“I know you think he doesn’t care about you, babe,” Lucia says gently, “but you’re wrong.”
Her words have me feeling even more puzzled, because until last night, I thought I meant something to that man, but now I’m not so sure.
Despite swearing I wouldn’t drink, I’m already on my second glass of wine, and that warm, fuzzy buzz is starting to settle in.
We’ve caught Arabella up on the shitshow that has become my life, and the way she winced when I told her about Dominic walking away and slamming his bedroom door said more than words ever could.
Lucia, however, remains adamant, insisting his reaction has more to do with him than it does with me.
There could be some truth to her words, even though I’m still not convinced. It was obvious Dominic had issues from the second we met. What those issues are, I’m not really sure. It could be any number of things. His childhood. His sister. Growing up in foster care. Or even his job. Surely hurting people for a living would take its toll on a person.
“Believe me, Em, that man is into you.”
I lift a shoulder, pretending to be indifferent to the whole situation. Thankfully, there’s a welcome interruption to our conversation when the waitresses arrive with our first course.
