Page 72 of Dante
“Maria!” she screamed out, regaining control of the car. “We’re not in an F1 race.”
“I’m not getting stuck with someone looking over our shoulders. It’s a girls’ day out, and that means no men.”
Since she hadn’t wanted any men to spoil the day either, she didn’t argue. With One-Shot revealed, and the two mafia families no longer feuding, it meant the girls could get a day tothemselves on the rare occasion from time to time. However, Nadia was certain they were going to have a tail before they made it to their destination, regardless of how fast Maria was making her drive.
“What’s on the agenda? As long as we’re at the dress shop by three, we can go anywhere.”
“I made us an appointment at my spa. We’re going to be groomed and spoiled today. We probably won’t want to go home by the time they are done with us.”
Her and Maria shared a secretive women’s glance, knowing nothing would keep them from going home to their men other than an act of God.
At the spa, she was treated to a wax, nails done and, saving the best for last, a full body massage. Meeting up at the swimming pool, they relaxed on lounge chairs, each of them wiggling their toes to show off their new polish.
Sipping on their mimosas, Winnie sipped on a non-acholic fruity concoctions, which was better than what her and Maria were drinking.
“How’s the job hunting going, Winnie?” Nadia asked, wishing she hadn’t after seeing the worried expression replace the happy one on her friend’s sweet face.
“Not so good.” Her head hung low in embarrassment. “I’ve put in over twenty applications, and I haven’t been asked for a single interview.”
Winnie had actively been looking for a job to support herself since turning eighteen. She shared a room with another girl who had run away from home and had ended up at Moonbeam,as well. Once Willow left, another runaway would be given her spot.
“I feel bad. You’ve already let me stay six months longer than I should have.”
“Regardless of age, Haley and I want the residents to have a good environment to go to before leaving. You help us out so much; I wish you would stay and take the job we offered you as being an advisor to the other girls while you go to school.”
“I don’t want to go to college or do any other training courses until I’m certain I know what I want to do.”
Nadia wasn’t surprised at Winnie not wanting to stay at Moonbeam or being an advisor. Winnie was great with the other girls; the problem was the girls all loved Winnie, seeing her as a surrogate sister, which activated her flight response.
“I could talk to Haley and see if we could make an exception for you.”
Winnie shook her head. “I don’t want you to. I know I should take one of the training courses offered.” She sighed morosely. “I just want to get on my feet and make enough money for a small place to live and be on my own for a while.”
“I understand.” Willow had a good head on her shoulders. She was undecided in her future, and she didn’t want to jump into a field she would be unhappy with just to keep a roof over her head. “I’ll talk to Dante; maybe he could find a job for you at the casino.”
“I’d save that talk for when Winnie turns twenty-one,” Maria spoke up. “Unless they’re family, they aren’t getting through the hiring process.”
Without thinking, Nadia responded to Maria’s quick dismissal of her idea. “Winnieisfamily to me.”
She could have smacked herself when the poor girl hastily excused herself to get dressed, while Maria watched her leave in confusion.
“Why did she take off? We have plenty time before we have to leave.”
“Winnie isn’t comfortable showing her emotions. She doesn’t want to get attached to anyone, and if anyone gets too close to her, she distances herself from them.”
Maria arched a perfect brow at her. “Then why did you tell her you consider her family?”
“It was a slip of the tongue. I know better.” Regretfully, she wished she could replay the last couple of minutes and not have brought up her searching for a job.
“I don’t know how you do it. You play mother to I don’t know how many kids. I do well just getting Angelica to bed at night at a decent hour. On top of that, you have to deal with their emotional issues. It must be disheartening at times.”
Nadia gurgled the end of her mimosa and laughed. “If I was afraid of getting the cold shoulder from someone emotionally closed off, I wouldn’t be engaged.”
“Poor Dante. He didn’t stand a chance against you, did he?” Maria said, giving her an appreciative look.
She put a finger to her lips. “Don’t tell him. He thinks he caught me.”
They were still laughing when Winnie came back.
