Page 575 of Sinfully Savage Mafia

“Oh my God, I’m so sorry. You should have called for us. I’d have come right back.”

“It’s okay.” Chloe looks at me. “Bruno helped me back here and iced it.”

“Good idea, getting ice on it right away,” Lily says with a lift of her eyebrow at me.

“He made me hot chocolate, too,” Chloe says in a soft voice.

“Well, isn’t he a hero?” Lily snaps.

Okay. I can take a hint.

“Always a pleasure, Lil.”

She waves her hand at me like she’s swatting a fly. I get it. Chloe’s her best friend and she’s obviously on her side.

I straighten up and back away from the couch. Chloe’s questioning gaze tugs me closer but I resist and pull my eyes away. I clap Zeno on the shoulder as I head for the door. “I’ll see you later for the party.”

Zeno nods. “Thanks for taking care of her.”

I suit up for the cold and look back at Chloe’s deflated expression before grabbing the doorknob.

I couldn’t give her what she wants. A-fucking-gain.

CHAPTER5

CHLOE

“Ilook absurd.” I glare at my reflection in the full length mirror hanging in the ladies’ lounge at the lodge and do a half-turn. “I’m wearing Dolce & Gabbana for Pete’s sake. And UGGS!”

Lily purses her lips and circles me. “They’re sparkly UGGS. That’s something. Besides, right now, comfort is the most important thing.”

“Comfort. Tell that to the rest of my shoe wardrobe.” I throw my hands into the air. “Please get me some champagne. Getting buzzed is the only way I’m going to be able to walk into the party looking like this.”

We walk into the lobby and make a beeline for the bar set up by the roaring fireplace. I hop onto an empty stool. I’d been waiting for just the perfect occasion to wear this dress and I figured the bachelorette party would be the night. It’s not exactly ski resort attire but I don’t care. I love it, except that the black leather corset-style dress hugs my body so tightly that if I’d have eaten one more French fry at lunch, it’d be on display. And if I’m being completely honest, I really want to make Bruno drool when he sees me.

But nobody drools over someone in UGGS, sparkly or not.

“Is that better?” Lily asks once I’ve drained my crystal flute.

“Hardly. How many bottles do you think they have back there?”

“You look gorgeous. Just a little shorter than normal.” She grins. “Besides, the place is so dark, nobody will notice.”

“It’s not like I’ll be able to move around anyway.” My shoulders slump. “I’ll just be stuck at the table for most of the night.”

Lily strokes my arm. “Is this all because of the outfit? Or is something else bothering you? We didn’t get to talk after Bruno left the cabin.”

I lean forward with my head in my hands and let out a deep sigh. “I tried to prepare myself for this weekend. I figured I could handle seeing him again and be civil.”

“And what happened? Did he say something back at the cabin?”

“He said a lot. And he said nothing at the same time.”

“Chloe,” Lily says, rubbing my arm. “Do you still have feelings for him?”

I hail the bartender and point to my empty glass. He gets the message and comes over with a full bottle. After he pours me another glass, I take a long gulp before answering Lily. “It doesn’t really matter. We’re living different lives in different places. We’re here this weekend to celebrate you and Zeno and after it’s over, we’ll go back to our own worlds because we weren’t meant to be.”

“That’s bullshit,” Lily squeals. “You guys were perfect together. Yin and yang. You had so much chemistry. It was explosive, girl! Don’t give me your sob story about not meant to be.”

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