Page 102 of Bloodlust

I blink. "Dirty sin money, huh? God, you're such a fucking hypocrite."

"Oh, Camilla," she scolds. "Watch your language with me. I'm not one of your little friends."

"No," I say as Zoey waves at Leo and me, three sodas in her hands. "No, you're not."

"It's late, Camilla," my mother yawns. "Goodbye."

"Bye," I hum, hanging up. I look at Leo and shake my head. "They're not coming."

He meets his sister's gaze as she hands him a drink. "Then we can't fuck up."

"Here." Zoey passes me a soda, holding hers in the air. "To old times."

And new beginnings.

And endings.

Chapter 28

Yellow

"Where are you heading, Miss Bianco?" Norman asks as I whip past the concierge desk. Too slow. He's got eyes at the back of his damn head. Turning around, he hands me an umbrella, casting a friendly smile. "Here. Forecast calls for rain."

"Oh," I hum awkwardly, swinging the umbrella on my index finger. "Thanks."

Norman cocks his head, scanning my face. "I haven't seen you around recently. You staying somewhere else these days?"

"Just busy," I lie with a shrug. "Work and all."

This apartment is tainted. I can't spend more than a few hours inside. I've been keeping busy. Enjoying the final few moments in the city I've always loved to hate. Or hated to love. I can't tell anymore. My feelings are...jumbled.

Allmy feelings are jumbled.

He narrows his aging eyes. "Don't work too hardnow, Miss Bianco. Life's meant to be lived, or so I've been told."

I let out a weak chuckle. "Maybe you should retire then, Norman. Listen to your own advice."

"Oh, dear, I'vealreadylived," he sighs, the sudden sadness in his eyes panging my chest as he flashes me his wedding ring. "Now I'm just waiting to live again."

"You were married?"

"Nearly fifty years," he grins, nodding to my hand. "Any viable suitors ask foryourhand lately?"

"My hand's not for sale," I say, giving him a forced wink. "And if it were, no one could afford it."

"I like that attitude," Norman laughs, tossing his head back. "But you never know, Miss Bianco. When you meet the right person, all forms of currency except one go out the window."

"Yeah?" I ask, raising a dubious brow. Fucking preachy boomers. "And what currency is that?Love?"

He clicks his tongue. "You're too young to be jaded, Miss Bianco."

"And you're too old to be giving me dating advice," I tease, tapping his desk. "Alright, I'm going to go enjoy the park now. Thanks for the chat." I hold up the umbrella. "And this."

"Anytime," Norman sings as I exit my condo building. "Stay dry!"

"Will do," I holler back, tilting my head back and observing the impending thunderstorm of clouds.

I don't actually mind the rain. It's cleaner than snow. Not as dangerous. And there's always sun that follows. Rainbows and shit. Kind of worth it, I think. I zip up myleather jacket and stroll toward the dog park one last time.

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