Page 27 of Shiver

God,I miss her.

My best friend was the strongest, most outgoing, and hilarious person I’ve ever known. She was an incredible mother,and then he used that against her.

My eyes brim with tears as I imagine the future she could’ve had before it was all stolen from her.

***

I can’t believe I actually showed up to this.

I never even asked what the name of the book was, so chances are, I haven’t read it.

Why am I here?

I seem to be asking myself that question a whole lot since having met Luca De Laurentiis, though I find solace in knowing that this night isn’t about him. It’s abouthopefullymaking some new girlfriends. I haven’t really done much socializing since moving back to Philly after law school, and it would be nice to get to know some new people.

Upon entering the huge one-story home, I’m ushered to the living room by one of Luca’s family members. She introduced herself as Charlie, and from my internet stalking, I believe that means she’s Luca’s only sister.

Apprehension fills my gut, and my chest feels tight as I make my way into the room, which is filled with a cacophony of women. This isn’t some small book club like I’d hoped.

While none of these women look even remotely similar to one another, they all have one thing in common. They’re all wearing T-shirts and crop tops that look like band tees which read, “Always Smutty In Philadelphia.”

I hate to admit it, but they’re adorable.

“Samara! I’m so glad you could make it,” Gloria tells me, wheeling over to take my hand in hers. “Follow me. You can pick out your own shirt.”

I like a woman who knows what she wants and has no qualms about getting it. And for some reason, Gloria De Laurentiis has her sights set on me. In what capacity? I have no idea.

Before following her, I look over my shoulder to see that all the women are no longer paying attention to me. It calms some of my earlier worries.

I hate being stared at.

She leads me into a small room with shelves lining the walls and organizers filled with all sorts of stickers, bookmarks, keychains, and stacks of T-shirts.

“Pick whatever color you want. You can change in here or use the bathroom down the hall.” She smiles brightly up at me before leaving the room.

Dread fills me as I approach the stacks of shirts. I’m going to be humiliated if none of these fit. If they don’t, what will I even do? Leave the room and tell them I’m allergic to jersey knit?

My lungs seize with relief so potent I almost want to cry as I scan the shelves, which are labeled with sizes ranging from extra-extra-small to a five-XL.

I grab a black full-length XXL T-shirt off the shelf and hold it up, ensuring it’ll be roomy enough to be comfortable. The material is soft and stretchy, so I shouldn’t have any problems.

Tugging my top off over my head, I set it down beside me before putting the new one on.

It’s baggy enough to give me room for the inevitable bloat I’ll be experiencing after a glass of wine or two.

After folding my other shirt, I slip out of the room and make my way back down the hall, tossing it in my purse and rejoining the women in the living room.

A petite woman with long, dark hair scooches over on one of the couches and pats the seat beside her. “You can sit next to me. I promise I only bite if you ask me to,” she says with a wink.

I can’t help but laugh at that and take a seat beside her. She gives me a reassuring smile. “I’m Aiyana,” she says, introducing herself.

“Samara,” I tell her. “Nice to meet you.”

She smirks, her dark brows rising. “Oh, I know who you are. Gloria couldn’t wait to tell us all about the gorgeous lawyer who saved our little Luca’s assandeven came over for a house call.”

My eyes widen an iota, but I suppress my initial reaction to that.Of course Gloria would tell everyone about the lapse in judgment that ended me up here in the first place.

“Aiyana,” another woman whines. “Stop picking on her.”

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