Page 72 of La Dolce Vita

Marietta glanced back to see Carlo step down off the last stair.

"You following me?" she asked.

He smiled.

She smiled.

"Miss me?" he asked.

"How was your trip?"

"Don't you already know? I'm sure Shae told you the moment she got rid of me," Carlo said.

"She didn't get rid of you. Don't say it like that. Shae is in a lot of pain. I think--"

"I don't want to know what you think about her. It's a private matter between her and me. So don’t pretend that you give a shit." Carlo walked over to her and took the bottle from her hand. He held it up to the light to read the label. "Good year. I'll let you know how it is," he said and started back toward the stairs.

"I’m sure you would know," she chuckled.

He stopped. He looked back at her, and she didn't see the playful amusement he typically wore in his smile. He looked angry.

"You think I don't know my wine?" he asked.

"Huh?" she frowned.

"You think I'm a fucking idiot. Low life? You and her. Just some lackey to the boss, and your husband. Without a fucking mind of my own!" He threw the bottle at the wall and it splattered magenta stains over the surface and floor.

Marietta didn't flinch. She crossed her arms and narrowed her eyes on him. "Is that supposed to scare me?"

"You should be scared. And her." Carlo turned to leave.

"You want to know what I think of you Carlo?" she called after him. He paused on the first step. He didn't look back, but she knew she had his full attention. "I think you more than anybody would know a good year. I think any year you survive without bullshit thrown at you in life is a good year. And there haven't been many of those for you, have there?"

He stared at her.

"Don't come down here and take your problems out on me. We're friends, Carlo. If you want to talk about her, about what happened in Vegas between you two..."

"I don't," he said.

She sighed. She walked over to him, and he stepped back. She touched his chest and he stilled. She put her hand to his jaw. "She thinks we have a connection because we kissed. Because I was drunk and weak and tried to hurt Lorenzo by seducing you."

He knocked her hand from his face.

"Our connection isn't physical, Carlo. We have feelings for each other because we understand each other. People look at me, and they see what I'm not. Only you and Lorenzo see who I am. And neither of you turn away from it."

He frowned.

"I can see you, and him, and not the way they see you both. I see who you are. Who you really are. And guess what Shae saw through you to. That's why she fell in love with you. Because she saw the man that I see."

"I'd never betray your husband," Carlo said. “And contrary to what Shae thinks I would never betray her for you. I wanted her. Only her. Now it’s too late to prove it.”

"I feel the same way about Lorenzo. But it doesn't mean I don't care about you, Carlo. That I don't want you to be happy..."

"Stop it!" he stepped away. "Stop trying to get in my fucking head. I'm over it! You hear me? This back and forth bullshit between you and me. It's not cute. I lost her. And no one knows how that fucking feels!"

"No you stop!" she grabbed his sleeve. "Stop feeling sorry for yourself. Stop wallowing in your pain when life shits on you! Shae loves you, Carlo, enough to let you go. Are you’re so damn blind that you couldn't see through that in Texas?"

"What?"

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