“You look so stressed out and tired,” Carleen says as I open the door to my car for her to get in. She cups my face and looks up into my eyes.
I clasp her hand in mine and turn to kiss her palm. Dropping our hands to our sides, with hers still in mine, I make circles in her palm with my thumb.
“Promise me something.”
“Okay,” she says, looking up at me nervously.
“No matter who I become, always remember how much I care about you as a friend. Remember the boy you played with on that playground.”
“Hey, Dario, is everything all right?”
“Yeah, just promise me.”
“Um, okay. I promise.” She wraps her arms around my neck and pulls me into a hug.
I embrace her tightly and bury my face in her neck. Carleen’s five-eight frame is swallowed in my arms as I’m comforted by her subtle scent, a soft vanilla and coconut.
“Come on, let’s get out of here,” I say and kiss the top of her head.
Carleen
I finish my shower and pull on a pair of sweats and a T-shirt. I haven’t been able to stop thinking about Dario’s mood and words back at the restaurant.
Something is going on with him. I’m becoming more afraid that he’s not coming back from Italy. I’m losing my friend.
All our lives, I’ve known something was different about Dario and his family. What I think is going on is something you don’t just come out and ask about.
I heard the rumors in high school. There was a reason everyone feared the twins and it wasn’t their massive size. I’ve seen the movies; I know the less I know the better. Plausible deniability. Yeah, I know nothing, I see nothing. My nice Italian friends are in the food industry, nothing more.
Yet, Dario made it sound like this trip is about to turn him into Michael Corleone. No matter who I become, always remember how much I care about you as a friend. Remember the boy you played with on that playground. Ugh, my brain is tired and running away from me.
With a sigh, I go to pick up my journal to write my thoughts down before I go out to see if Dario is done with the food he’s making.
A frown comes to my face. My diary and my food journal look almost identical. I’ve never thought of that before. I’ve always lived alone so it’s never been a thought. However, at the moment, when Dario has my recipe journal while I sit with this one, it’s a nagging thought.
“Best be hiding this thing,” I mutter to myself.
Oh lord, if Dario ever saw the things I’ve written in here about him, I’d die a slow death. All my fantasies and dreams line these pages. From what I think he’s going to Italy for to the fact that I dream of one single night in his arms. I’ve even written all the things I would do to him on said night.
“He definitely never needs to see this.”
I finish my entry and go in search of Dario. The first thing I notice when I get closer to the kitchen is that I don’t smell anything cooking.
A smile breaks out on my face as Dario comes into view passed out on the couch. His snoring is the next thing that hits me. His chest is bare, and he has on sweats. I grab a throw and toss it over him. Feeling as exhausted as he looks, I turn and head back to my bedroom.
Chapter 5
Halloween
Dario
Carleen makes one sexy Bonnie. She has on a wig that’s cut into a wavy bob, framing her gorgeous face. Though I love her natural, long, dark hair, she’s pulling off the blonde. It’s making her amber eyes pop against that deep, dark skin of hers that seems to be glowing tonight.
The flapper-style dress is fitted snuggly to her breasts. I’ve been trying not to stare at them or how the dress fits across her ass.
I couldn’t help comparing my brother’s cute little assistant to Carleen. While Lizzy is pretty and a few shades lighter than Carleen, she’s no Car. Carleen is closer to an umber complexion while Lizzy is more chocolate. Still brown and pretty, but nowhere as gorgeous as my Carleen.
When I had those thoughts earlier, I dropped my eyes down to Lizzy’s breasts with a smile on my lips. Carleen’s cleavage definitely makes Lizzy’s pale in comparison. Don’t get me wrong, she has a cute pair. They’re just not like Carleen’s full, ripe breasts.
“You okay?” I ask Carleen for the millionth time since my twin left with his family.
Something has changed tonight. There’s been a bit of a distance between us. My mind races. I don’t think Carleen let Bethany rub her the wrong way. She’s not that sensitive.
“Yeah, I’m fine.”
“You sure?” I go to press, but Gio catches my attention from across the room and gestures with his head for me to follow him. I pause and frown. “Hold that thought. I’ll be right back.”