Page 78 of Maddest Temptation

“We’ll do together if that’s what you want,” I said instead. Francesca stared at me like I had lost my mind and I probably had. “Unless you would rather do this alone.”

She took a few seconds to answer and then she shook her head. “You’ve seen me naked, so I guess this won’t shock you,” she blushed.

I chuckled. Seeing her naked had almost shocked me into a coma. Francesca was everything I had always dreamed of and more. “Principessa, there’s little in the world that is capable of shocking me,” I reminded her.

She took a deep breath and looked at the door like it was a portal into Hell. “Our problems are the only loyal things in our life. No matter what happens, they will always be there to haunt us. So, you can either deal with them or you can spend a lifetime being chased,” I told her.

Francesca’s sapphire eyes were filled with fear, but she nodded in agreement. She took the first step toward the door, and I followed. She knocked and when she looked at me, she sported a tentative smile, that made my fucking day.

The doctor answered and led us toward a sitting area. Francesca sat straight, her back stiff and her shoulders tense. She was digging her nails into the palms of her hands once more. A nervous tick that was starting to annoy me. I despised watching her hurting herself. Without thinking, I grabbed one of her hands and held it in mine.

Francesca looked at me surprised but said nothing. The doctor, an old woman with gray hair and large round glasses, took her seat before us and looked at our intertwined hands.

I knew coming here wasn’t a good idea, there were things Francesca needed to deal with on her own. But the honest truth was that I wanted to be here for her. Maybe it was the guilt talking, maybe it was this need to be close to her. I spent an entire weekend by her side, and I realized it wasn’t enough.

I wanted to see her happy, to see her healthy.

22

FRANCESCA

“Fuck!” I grabbed her hand.

“Frankie,” Marie blushed.

“You’re getting married?” I asked trying to hide my shock, but so help me God, it wasn’t working. “So soon.” I didn’t want to sound negative or anything, but they had been dating for what? Two months? Three?

“He asked me to keep it quiet for now, but I couldn’t hide it from you.” Marie was glowing. “And I know it’s soon, but he’s the one, Frankie. He makes me so happy. I love him.”

My heart couldn’t take it. I was so thrilled for her. Marie had been with other guys, but I’d never seen her like this before. She was in…love. Love. The realization struck me hard. I knew that feeling, of what it meant to be loved by someone. How everything around you suddenly felt ten times better. The colors were more vibrant, the food tasted better. Even the very air you breathed seemed to fill you differently. I had felt that once.

“I…Marie.” I stared at the massive diamond on her finger. “I can’t believe it,” I chuckled in happiness.

She met me on the other side of the kitchen island, and we hugged. I held on to her tightly and couldn’t contain the wave of emotions that crashed into me. I held back a sob. I was beyond happy that my best friend actually managed to fulfill her dream. She found her prince; she was going to get married.

Deep down, a small part of me, one I was ashamed of, was jealous of her. I wanted to crush that part, destroy it, but it had latched on and wouldn’t let go.

Marie and I talked for hours, she told me how magical the proposal had been and how she was already planning the wedding. I sat there listening to her and imagining how lucky she was to have it all, and Marie deserved it.

She headed toward the bathroom and returned holding an orange pill bottle. “Frankie?” she said sadly. “What is this?”

My cheeks turned pink. Cassio had told me not to be ashamed. He said there was nothing wrong with me. Dr. Alma, my physiatrist, had said the same, but it was hard getting over an old habit.

“I visited a psychiatrist,” I confessed. “And next week I have an appointment with a therapist,” I added. Marie’s jaw dropped.

“Frankie, that is wonderful.” She sat beside me on the sofa. “I’m so proud of you.” She held my hand. “Sorry for judging.” She offered me the pill bottle.

I took them from her and placed them on the table before me. I couldn’t blame her for doing so. For four years, Marie watched me use all kinds of drugs and take various kinds of pills. She had remained my friend through thick and thin, so I couldn’t blame her for wanting the best for me, just like I wanted the best for her.

“I’m still adapting,” I told her. Taking the correct medication scared me. I didn’t want to become addicted, again.

“I’m here for you.”

I leaned into her. “I know.” I smiled.

“Frankie.”

“Yeah?”

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