Page 98 of Pitiful Lies

The baby falls asleep in my arms, and I put him in his little playpen, careful to clear the toys out of the way.

“Okay, now that we got all that out of the way, we want to know what is going on with you,” Maria says to me.

I look from her to Anna and back again.

I’ve known Anna since I was a kid, and Maria might be newer to our circle of friends, but she is just as important to me.

They are both waiting expectantly for me to confide in them, and really, I want to.

“Look, I know I have nothing to complain about. I am an adult, and I am the one who makes all the decisions for my life.”

“Has Angel been bullying you?” Maria asks, and she looks furious.

“Bullying me? Oh my God, no not at all. It’s just. Well—” I heave a sigh.

I’m so confused about me and Angel and it’s so nice to have someone to talk to.

So I do. I talk to them.

I tell them how I saw Angel with a woman who turned out to be the girlfriend of the new head of this Irish mafia family. I tell them about how I ran to Fort Lauderdale to create distance, since he obviously wasn’t into me like I was into him.

“Which we know is bullshit cause he came to get you,” Anna says.

I roll my eyes at her, but I continue with my story.

I tell them about how before I went to Florida, we only ever met at the Den and had sex in his office. We never went out or anything.

But when we came to get me, he’s been different. Taking me out. Letting me stay in his condo.

“Which I thought was your condo at first, by the way. Way to trick me,” I say, narrowing my eyebrows at Anna.

“In all seriousness, Sisi, your apartment got blown up. And who is gonna fuck with Angel Fury’s condo?” Anna says and I have to agree with her.

“Um, look, I am sure Angel is crazy as the rest of them when it comes to your safety,” Maria starts, “but you know that isn’t the only reason he is keeping you at his place, right?”

Anna and I both just look at her.

“Guys, Angel never dates anyone. I mean, women used to throw themselves at him all the time. I worked there seven months before Anna came around and Luc and I became a thing and, in those months, I never saw him leave with a single one of those women.”

“Are you trying to say Angel was a virgin? Cause we know that ain’t true,” I say, trying for humor when all I feel is a desperate urge to believe her.

“I swear, Sisi, not one woman in all that time.”

“So you mean, you think he cares,” I whisper, not daring to say it too loudly.

“Oh my God, girl. Cares? I think he’s head over fucking heels,” Maria says.

“Yep. That man is insanely in love with you. And if he’s not, I’ll just have Nico take him out,” Anna tells me, and I think she’s kidding.

But with Nico. Who knows?

“Oh my God, Anna! That’s one of the things I’m scared of. What if he’s just trying to fit in with the other guys by doing whatever this is with me?”

“That’s it. I am not listening to this bullshit from you. Sisi Vega, you are one of the best people I know,” Maria starts.

“And you have the biggest mouth of anyone I know, so,” Anna adds, side eying Maria who nods.

“We both think you need to get your head out of your ass and tell the man how you feel.”

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