Unraveled (Guzzi Duet Book 1)(3)

While she would consider Bambi a friend of sorts, the girl had been much closer to Lea. Despite being close, and twins, the girls hadn’t always shared the same likes, dislikes, or behaviors.

Lea had been out-going, making friends wherever she went. Cara preferred to stand off in the shadows and watch people interact in all sorts of situation. To her, that was fascinating. To Lea, interacting and growing her circle had been the interesting part of life.

“So …” Bambi said, drawing the word out for much longer than what was necessary.

Awkward.

Finally, Cara’s mouth decided to play catch-up with her brain, and work. All she managed to say was a confused, “So.”

Bambi didn’t look offended over Cara’s lack of response to her presence, never mind her lack of enthusiasm at conversing like a normal human being. No, if anything, Bambi looked happier, her smile growing all over again.

And then Cara had to go and open her mouth to ruin it with, “What exactly are you doing here?”

Bambi’s smile vanished instantly, replaced by a hurt dancing over her pretty features. “I’m sorry. Am I not allowed to visit a friend?”

First, Bambi had always been more of a friend to Lea than Cara, for the most obvious reason … being Bambi’s lifestyle. For lack of a better word, Cara thought.

She could be brutally honest—Bambi liked her made men. Mafia men were just her thing. But the second reason why Bambi should not be knocking on Cara’s door?

Cara looked at the clock on the wall. “It’s eleven-thirty at night.”

Jesus. Was it really that late already? Hadn’t she been talking to her brother that afternoon?

Well, shit.

Cara had literally slept her day away. She’d missed another round of classes. An exam. An assignment that was due. A lecture.

And she needed groceries.

Fuck.

She was a mess.

She didn’t even know how to go about fixing it. Or even if she wanted to.

Bambi only stared at Cara as though she had suddenly grown a second head in the span of seconds. “What are you talking about?”

Cara pointed at the clock. “It’s late.”

“Yeah, if you’re fifty.”

“I have school in the morning.”

Bambi cocked an eyebrow. “Tomorrow is Saturday, and I remember Lea saying once that you don’t have classes on Saturdays.”

Was tomorrow Saturday?

What was happening to her life?

Cara rubbed a hand over her face. “What do you want?”

“I was in the neighborhood. I thought you might like to see a familiar face.”

“You thought wrong.”

Cara could have softened that blow, but she didn’t have the patience to. Bambi didn’t seem all that offended. In fact, she looked as though she had expected that.

“Yeah, seems I’m not the first person you’ve chased off with your nasty attitude lately. People talk, and others tend to take notice and listen. I know we’re not the greatest friends, but your sister looked out for me a lot, and I’d like to think that Lea would be super pissed at me if I didn’t offer the same to you.”

Cara cleared her throat, more uncomfortable than ever. “I’m fine.”

“Well, that’s a lie.”

“Bambi—”

“You look like shit just came over and took another shit on your head.”

Ouch.

“Okay, that’s enough,” Cara said, grabbing the door to close it in the woman’s face. “It’s time for you to go.”

“Wait.” Bambi put her body into the doorway, effectively stopping Cara from closing her out. “One night, Cara. You can take one night to get out of this apartment, away from this …” Bambi waved at the darkness behind Cara. “Whatever this mess is, and do something. Maybe it’ll be fun. Maybe you won’t have to think for a while. Maybe you’ll even smile. What would it hurt to try?”

It could hurt a lot.

“I’m not even dressed or done up,” Cara said weakly.

Bambi smiled slyly, gesturing at herself. “That is why you have me.”

“I can dress and do my own makeup, thanks.”

“And I will be right here to make sure you actually do it. A new club opened up three blocks away, last week. I happen to know the owner is a great guy, and throws an awesome fucking party. Give it a chance.”

Cara was too mentally tired to argue. Or maybe it was that she wanted to feel normal for a minute. Even if that meant using alcohol and deafening music to do it.

That was that.

“All right,” Cara said. “Give me fifteen minutes.”

Bambi looked her over. “Twenty, at least.”

“You could be nicer.”

“You could look less dead.”

Bitch.





“You’re looking terribly miaou tonight.”

Gian Guzzi gave his mother a kiss on her head. “Mamma, it’s not appropriate to catcall your son. Even when you’re doing it in French.”

“Am I the first woman to tell you that this evening?”

“I came here from the penthouse. Where would I find a femme to catcall me?”

“Well, one would think in your penthouse, considering.”