Abbie gives me a serious look. “I want to. You’ve taken one hell of a blow today, and I’m not leaving your side.”
Standing up, I walk to the sofa Abbie is on. I sit down and lean my head on her shoulder. “Thank you for being my best friend.”
“Hey, you’re the only person on this planet willing to put up with my craziness.”
The corner of my mouth lifts. “I love your craziness. It keeps things interesting.”
Silence falls between us, and Abbie takes hold of my hand, lacing our fingers. More seconds pass, then she asks, “How are you really doing?”
I shake my head, and instantly the emotion pushes up my throat. Turning my face to Abbie, I wrap my arms around her, hating that I’m crying over a man.
“I’ve got you, Ra-Ra,” she whispers.
“I just hate that my dream ended like this,” I sob. “After that night and how wonderful he was…” I wipe a stray tear from my cheek and take a deep breath. My voice quivers as I continue, “And giving him my first and only kiss, I was so hopeful we’d meet again and pick up where we left off.”
“First and only kiss?” she gasps.
I chuckle through the tears as I sit up. Wiping at my cheeks, I mutter, “Yeah, I kinda lied to you. Eduardo never kissed me.”
During a game of spin the bottle, I ended up in a closet with Abbie’s cousin. We made a deal to say we kissed because he was interested in another girl, and I wasn’t ready.
Abbie’s eyes widen at me, and she blinks a couple of times.
Just then, there’s a knock at the door. She holds her pointer finger up at me. “This conversation will continue.”
While Abbie opens the door to receive all the food she ordered, I go to my room and undress. I put on a comfy pair of shorts and a t-shirt and place a set on the bed for Abbie.
After I’ve removed my jewelry, I head into the bathroom. I’m busy wiping the makeup from my face when I hear Abbie in the bedroom. “Are these shorts for me?”
“Yeah. After you’ve changed, come wash your face. You can’t sleep with makeup on.”
“Yes, Mom,” she calls back.
I let out a chuckle, then my eyes lock on my neck, and I see the red marks Misha left on my skin.
The blow hits hard and unexpectedly. It’s difficult to believe the man I’ve had a crush on for so long hurt me.
The realization is a bitter pill to swallow.
I think back to when he cut off my air supply and threatened me. There was no warmth in his blue eyes but only icy danger.
Tonight I saw the bratva enforcer and not the man who ripped his shirt apart to stop my wound from bleeding.
Lifting my shirt, I look at the scar stretching from my hip to my ribs. The scar never bothered me because it was a reminder that night was real and not a fantasy my overactive imagination had conjured up.
“You okay?” Abbie asks as she walks into the bathroom and comes to stand next to me.
“Yeah.” I reach for the toner and dab some on my face while Abbie removes her makeup.
“So,” she says, “your first and only kiss? Why didn’t you tell me?”
I shrug, pouring a couple of drops of serum into my palm. Working the nourishing liquid into my skin, I answer, “I don’t know. You’re way more experienced than me. I felt it would be silly talking about a kiss.”
Abbie scowls at me. “That’s the stupidest thing you’ve ever said.”
“Ugh, I know.” I give her a remorseful look. “Honestly, the night felt so surreal. Half the time, it was hard for me to believe it actually happened.”
“Was the kiss at least good?” she asks.