Page 19 of Beguiled and Broken

“No, no family. None that I speak to anyway. Difference of opinion on life decisions I guess you could say, so we don’t speak. And my only friends were the ones I made at the restaurant. They’ve been very kind to me. Vinny’s been very kind to me. He took me in and really looked out for me.” Catarina was staring at Vinny, smiling. Honestly, a little too long for my liking.

Cole spoke up, “Well Catarina, it’s nice to have you here. Vinny is a great guy. We’re all lucky to have him in our corner. Bianca too. Our favorite power couple.” Cole raised a glass to toast. His comments made me smile, but when I looked around the table the only person hardly smiling was Catarina. It made me feel weird all of a sudden.

I took another look around the table, and then, to Vinny. To clear the tension, I said, “Enjoy dinner everyone. Vinny, I love you.” Vinny looked back at me and mouthed I love you back, making me smile. The rest of the dinner had gone perfectly, and we spent a few hours afterward sitting and talking. Even though I felt off about Catarina’s behavior, I cherished nights like these.

*

“Bye, you guys! Thanks again for coming to dinner on such short notice.” Vinny and I waved bye to our friends as they left in a group and headed to their cars.

Vinny wrapped his arms around my stomach and leaned into my neck as we stood at the door before saying, “Nice night. Feels like it’s been forever since we’ve seen them.”

“Thiswasa great night.” I was quiet for a minute before whispering, “Lex is suspicious of Cat. What do you think about that?”

“I think Lex is Lex and she’s suspicious of everyone.” He laughed quietly while kissing my neck.

“Catarina looks at you like you walk on water.” I was trying not to sound like a jealous wife.

“I mean, I do walk on water.” I elbowed him and we laughed. Vinny went on, “She doesn’t look at me like anything, baby. I think she’s a lonely woman is all.”

“Mmm. Maybe you’re right. Let’s go clean up and go to bed.” We went to the kitchen and Catarina had already cleaned everything up. She was just putting the last of the dishes in the dishwasher.

“Catarina! You didn’t have to do this but thank you. It wasourparty. We would’ve cleaned up.” I looked at her, but she didn’t look at me.

“It’s fine. I’m going to head out for a bit, but I’ll be back later and keep it down when I get in.”

I thought,Oh. She was leaving. Well, this is new.“Ok. Enjoy your night, whatever you do. Thank you again.” I turned and gave Vinny a look and we went upstairs to our room.

Vinny looked worried and said, “Do you think she heard me? When I said she was a lonely woman? I tried to whisper it.”

“No way, babe. She was in the kitchen. And you were really quiet. Maybe she isn’t as lonely as we think.” We heard the sliding door close in the basement which didn’t sound at all like she was trying to be quiet about it. She sounded pissed.

Vinny reasoned, “Maybe you’re right. I’m gonna go check on the kids and then I’ll come get in bed.” I kissed Vinny and left the room.

Chapter 13

Catarina

After the dinner with Vinny and Bianca’s friends, I got in my car and turned my music on. Music usually calms me down, but I was feeling extra edgy. I pulled out of the driveway and drove to the nearest park, hoping it would be empty at this time of night.

“Adagio” by Paris Jacksonblared through the speakers from my playlist. I put the car in park and leaned my head back against the head rest. A cold October wind blew against the car, making whooshing sounds while I screamed, banging my hands on the steering wheel until they hurt.

Imade dinner. That wasmydinner formy family, not for all thosestrangers. Especially, not for that stupid bitch, Lex. I didn’t need her interrogating me. Whowasshe? It wasn’t her place. I could see she was someone who was going to cause problems for me. “So, no family? Friends?”No, you dumb cunt. Mind your own goddamn business.

Breathe, Catarina.I breathed in through my nose, held it for 5 seconds and then let it out through my lips.You’re going to be fine, Cat. Reign it in before you ruin everything. Everything you’ve worked so hard for.I reasoned with myself that all wasn’t lost. I put the car in drive and headed to the nearest bar, the Ivory Lounge. A row of white lights hung over the ivory bar. I saddled up to it, ordered a drink, and then ordered another one before a guy came up and sat next to me.

“Not interested,” I said to him without looking up from my glass.

“Not interested in what, love?” His voice was deep and calm. I’ll admit, his voice piqued my interest, so I took a peek. Tall white guy with some muscle on him, but he for sure wasn’t a gym rat. His eyes were ocean blue. He was the complete opposite of Vinny.

“Not interested in whatever you were about to say to me.” I tossed the rest of my drink back before waving to the bartender to give me another. The bar was small, a real hole in the wall and smelled woodsy like a cabin in the forest. For a bar it was cozy. It made it really easy to get comfortable and keep drinking. The bartender was nice and didn’t try and small talk to me for which I was grateful because I wasn’t in the mood. I tapped the bar and said, “I’ll have another one.” He nodded and started throwing it together.

Tall guy kept yapping. “Interesting. You want another one or you’re not interested in a free drink?” He smirked.

“Well, maybe…” I laughed lightly. The bartender brought me another drink and also brought a couple shots to tall guy. I said, “Oh, I’m not doing shots. They’ll knock me on my ass.”

“Really? Hmm. Well, guess I’ll do it alone then.” Before he could grab the shot glass that was supposed to be mine, my hand intercepted, briefly touching his. An electric current went through me, and we locked eyes. He said, “You want to get out of here?”

Did I? I didn’t know. Maybe. It had been a while, a long while, and I was on edge from dinner. “Where will we go?” I pulled my hand back and jutted out my chin wondering what he would say.

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