Page 11 of Beautiful Desire

So much has changed so quickly in Gia’s life, something neither of us ever could have predicted. They might not have had the most conventional or romantic start to their relationship, but when both of them are this happy, does it really matter?

“Oh, God, Elle, I’m so excited. How is this even my life right now?”

I sit at the island and watch as Gia easily moves through the kitchen. Grabbing two wine glasses, she fills them both while telling me all about their plan of traveling to Italy soon to see Fabi’s sister, Sofia.

The double doors leading out to the garden open, grabbing my attention as Fabi walks in. Jeff lifts his head to look around, and once he sees it’s him, he lets out an annoyed moan before settling himself down on the kitchen floor beside Gia.

“Hi, Elle,” he says as he walks toward me, enveloping me in a hug.

“Hey, Fab,” I say as I return it.

He’s not the most emotional man, but this man gives some of the best hugs when he wants to.

“I’ll join you ladies for dinner later. I have a friend coming over now to discuss some business,” he announces, walking over to Gia.

Pulling her in close, he slips his hands down around her and squeezes her ass while giving her a hard, lingering kiss on the lips. I turn my head and look out onto the terrace, not wanting to feel like I’m invading their privacy, when I hear Gia talk from behind me.

“Good, because Elle and I have girl things to discuss.” Gia smiles as she turns to lift our glasses and heads out through the open doors.

Sliding off the stool, I follow her out into the garden on this beautiful sunny evening.

I’ve been here for dinner a few times now since Gia and Fabi hashed things out. We don’t see each other as much as we used to before they met, but I still see her more now than when she was with that asshole ex-husband, Gallo.

Ugh, don’t even get me started on that prick.

As much as I love being in their company, sometimes when I leave, I feel so deflated. It’s like a kick in the gut that at the ripe age of twenty-seven, I am still single and living alone. I’ve had one serious boyfriend in my entire life, and after that total train wreck, I made a promise to myself to never allow any man into my heart ever again. But as the years have gone on, and especially since Gia and Fabi found one another, it makes my heart hurt a little at the thought of spending the rest of my life alone.

“Okay, come on. Spill it.”

I lift my glass and take as big a gulp as possible, wanting to delay this conversation for as long as I can. Faking confusion, I look at Gia while setting my glass back on the table.

“Spill what? There’s nothing to spill.”

“If you think after all these years, I’m buying that fake-ass story and that shitty fake confused look, you have another thing coming, bitch. Now, tell me all about this mystery man from the wedding.”

I take a deep breath, knowing this time, she isn’t going to drop the conversation. I’m lucky she’s let it go this long, really. Letting out an exasperated breath, I try to deter her again, but deep down, I know it won’t work.

“What do you want me to tell you, G? I met a hot guy, we kissed, we hooked up, I left. It was one night. The end.”

She levels me with a deadpan stare, not speaking a word. I take another sip of my wine and look around the garden, hoping and praying by some miracle, that will be enough. But of course not.

“Well, did this hot guy have a name?”

A small smile flitters across my face at the memory. “He said his name was D.”

Her eyebrows furrow in confusion. “He said his name was D?”

“Yep. He asked me my name, and when I told him it was Elle, he thought I was only giving him the first letter of my name, so he told me his name was D.” Lifting my glass, I take another sip, and I can see Gia’s exasperated look over the rim.

“Well, you can’t just stop there. What did he look like? How old is he? Where is he from? Was the sex good?” She giggles and gives me a wink at her last question, and I laugh out loud.

This girl…I would be lost without her, and so I decide to divulge.

“Ugh, fine. He’s tall, definitely over six feet. Short black hair and stubble to match with an amazing pair of electric blue eyes.”

“Ooh, you are a goner, girl. You’re a sucker for blue eyes.”

“I can’t help it. They draw me in. I’m not sure what age, exactly, but he’s older, maybe closer to like thirty-six or thirty-seven. I don’t know where he’s from, and good? That man gave me the best goddamn sex I’ve ever had.”

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