“So, Sienna,” Anna had sprawled herself out on the couch, her skirt hiked up her thigh, it was sure to gain Mariano’s attention, “I don’t know much about you.”
“That’s true, you don’t.” I made a show of downing the small quantity of red wine left in my glass and poured myself another.
“Why is that?” She rubbed her face.
“Because you chose not to like me.”
“That’s true.” She laughed, looking at Mariano, who chuckled while staring at his phone. “I don’t like most women.”
“I get that impression.”
“Mostly, I don’t like women I can’t read.” She leaned forward and blinked a few times, no doubt trying to clear her blurry vision. “And I find you very difficult to read.”
“It’s a safety thing,” I admitted, thinking if I said some truths maybe they would too.
“So, tell me, if you’re as quiet and reserved as you seem, why would you do something as risky as that article? Especially that half-naked photo on the front.”
“I am reserved to a point.” I felt the need to defend myself. “The article was about hope and strength. When you grow up the way I had to, that is all you have. As for the photo, that was me being brave enough to let people really see me, who I am and how proud I was of who I had become. I can see how it might make some women feel insecure, especially if they don’t see themselves as beautiful on the inside.” I held her annoyed gaze.
“Well, if you don’t mind the idea of that picture being in multiple men’s bedside tables, I guess.” She laughed with Mariano.
“Yeah.” He wiggled his eyebrows at me. I shook off their childish reaction.
“Tell me something about yourself.” Anna awkwardly poured herself another drink spilling more than a good shot onto the wooden table. “Tell me about why you won’t sleep with Mariano.”
So, he shared that, and we’re going there. Okay…
“I’ve rushed into relationships before getting to know the person well enough, and it didn’t end well. My last boyfriend reminded me I don’t need a man to be happy.”
“Are you gay?”
I squinted at her crassness; if I was or wasn’t, it certainly was none of her business.
“No, I’m not.”
“That would be a shame,” Mariano muttered.
“My turn.” I filled up her half-full glass. “You’re clearly interested in Elio. What’s going on there?”
Her face twisted into a painful expression, and she took a moment to lick her fingers free of the spilled grappa.
“We’ve been on a few dates.” My stomach sank. “We are supposed to…” She paused like she was stopping herself from finishing her sentence. “I’m too close to the family, I think, for him to see me as much more than a friend, though. At least at this point.”
“I see. Well—”
“But that doesn’t stop me from removing fake women like you from his life. He’ll wake up one day and see I’m the best fit for him.”
“That’s a great plan you got there, Anna.” I couldn’t help but chuckle at my sarcastic tone, which in turn made Mariano laugh too.
“You’re one to talk,” she tossed at him.
“Yeah,” I chimed in, “you’d need to break up with your phone first to even see the women around you.”
“I see you,” he shot back as he slid the phone onto the table then moved closer to me.
“And I need to pee,” Anna groaned, leaving the two of us alone.
Dammit.