“What’s wrong?” Ari said the second she found me over by the buffet table. I’d made myself scarce after my conversation with Enzo. Not that it could really be called a conversation. No, that would involve actually talking to each other. Instead, he’d barked at me like I was his misbehaving puppy.
Asshole.
The more I stewed on it, the angrier I got. The constant flow of drinks didn’t help.
“Nothing,” I said, helping myself to another chip. “I’m fine.”
“I’m fine usually means you’re not fine.” She gave me a pointed look. “I’m sorry I abandoned you. Nicco’s family can be a little intense.”
She said that like it was a bad thing, when I’d spent the last thirty minutes watching how happy she looked moving between Nicco’s aunties.
“Please, I’m a big girl, I can take care of myself. Besides, Matteo and Dane keep checking in on me.” Dane had repeatedly asked me to dance, but I’d declined. He was like a dog with a bone and I was worried if I threw him some scraps, he’d never leave me alone.
“Did something happen… with Enzo?”
“Like what?”
“I don’t know, you tell me.”
“Nothing happened.” The lie felt all wrong as it rolled off my tongue, but I didn’t want Ari to worry, or put her in the middle of Nicco and his cousin.
Besides, nothing had happened. Not really.
Nothing I couldn’t handle at least.
“There you are.” Alessia appeared, her skin flushed. “What are you both doing hiding over here?”
“Not hiding. Just… observing.”
“Well, stop, and come dance with me.”
“Don’t you want to enjoy the party with your friends?”
“They’re not my friends, not really.” Her smile fell. “It’s different for Bella. Her brother isn’t… you know? I mean, kids are still wary, but they don’t completely avoid her like they do me.”
“Fuck them,” I said, draining my drink. “If they don’t want to get to know you, that’s their loss, Sia.”
“You’re right.” She nodded. “So, you’ll come dance?” Hope glittered in her eyes.
“Hell yeah. Ari?”
“You two go, I’m going to say hello to a couple more people.”
My brows furrowed. “Sure, okay. But remember, it’s a party. You’re supposed to have fun.”
I tried to ignore the pit in my stomach as Sia and I reached the dance floor. Bella spotted us and rushed over. “Nora, you came.” She threw her arms around my neck.
“Uh, hey, birthday girl.” I patted her back gently before forcing her to arm’s length. “Are you drunk?”
“Ssh, if my dad finds out he’ll lose his shit.”
“Let me guess, Dane slipped you some drinks?”
“Yeah, right.” She scoffed, still dancing. The bubblegum pink dress she wore looked killer with her dark raven hair and stilettos. “He wouldn’t risk getting railed at by Matteo and our cousins.”
“True story.” Sia nodded.
“If your brother asks, I know nothing,” I said around a tentative smile. “But please, for the love of God, don’t drink anymore.”
“Fine. Now dance.” Bella grabbed my hand. “Dance!”
Their enthusiasm was infectious and soon the three of us were crowded by Alessia and Arabella’s school friends and family, dancing like our lives depended on it.
“Oh my God, I love this one,” the birthday girl yelled, pumping her fist in the air. Everyone laughed, watching as she and Sia moved into the middle of the crudely formed circle.
But the DJ slowed it right down on the next song, playing some sappy love song that had everyone pairing off. Nicco and Ari joined us. He scooped Arianne up into his arms while Matteo grabbed Arabella before any of the younger guys could make their move. Sia intercepted Dane and forced him to dance with her. Which left me… all alone.
My heart was heavy as I sank into the shadows and watched them. I liked to think of myself as a strong, independent woman. I was confident in my own skin; loved my curves and lack of filter, and my quirky t-shirt collection. But standing there, watching my best friend laugh and smile with her husband and his family, twisted something inside me.
I was happy for her, so freaking happy. But she was part of something bigger now. Her family was entwined with the Marchetti.
She was one of them.
An insider.
I always knew when Ari found her wings, she would soar, but I’d never anticipated this. I was proud of her, so fucking proud. The way she handled the alpha men around her with nothing but grace and humility. She had them all eating out the palm of her hand, Antonio Marchetti included.
Arianne had this whole other life now, and honestly,