Page 23 of His Beautiful Revenge
“He didn’t sleep with you to get revenge. I think you know that. Giacomo Conti is a man in love. Withyou,Norah.”
Norah stopped. “Don’t. Don’t defend him. It’s too late for that.”
Zulika looked her straight in the eye. “It shouldn’t be. This isn’t about Giacomo and I think you know that.”
Norah gave a humorless laugh. “So what’s it about?”
“You wereraped, Norah. That’s what this is about.”
“Don’t.”
“You know it is, darling. You’re just using this as an excuse. You know in your heart that Giacomo Conti is in love with you—and you’re pushing him away because, deep down, you think you’re damaged goods.”
Something in Zulika’s voice broke through Norah’s anger. She stopped mopping, her expression pained and haunted, and she stared at Zulika for a long moment.
“You think I haven’t processed the rape.”
Zulika shook her head. “No.”
Norah looked away, all her anger disappearing. She sat down on the couch and dropped her head into her hands. “You don’t think Giacomo used me?”
“No.”
Norah closed her eyes. “But then why the hell didn’t he tell me?”
Zulika went over to her friend and tried to smile at her. “He did try. You should give him a second chance, honey—and you should definitely get some therapy.”
Norah half-smiled. “I’m so tired, Zulika. Maybe I need some time alone.”
Zulika hugged her. “Do you really want to be away from him?”
Norah sighed and leaned into her friend. “I don’t, but maybe I should just take pause.”
“You do what you think is right.”
“I will. I promise. I need some time for me, I think.”
Zulika smiled, trying to lighten the mood. “You’ve been doing those incantations again, haven’t you?” She grabbed her friend and stared hard at her, her eyes crinkling. “Repeat after me: I am a strong independent woman. I am a strong independent woman. Who really,really, wants to give her best friend a colossal and completely undeserved pay bump.”
Norah laughed then and hugged her. “It wouldn’t be undeserved.”
Zulika’s eyes lit up. “Then I get a pay bump?”
Norah smiled. “I didn’t saythat.Come on, let’s get to work. I could use the distraction.”
Giacomo was in such a mess that Orlando persuaded him to stay with them for the weekend. They got a sitter for Ferma on a Saturday night and took him to their favorite bar,Fonseca’s.
He was hollow-cheeked and his eyes were haunted as he told them how Tara had “reached out” to him. “She destroys my life, then tries to worm her way back in. Unbelievable.” He shook his head and Orlando and Carmel exchanged a glance.
“Tara is nothing but a waste of space,” Carmel said. “Don’t waste any time thinking about her. You said Zulika was on your team?”
Giacomo half-smiled. “It’s the only thing giving me hope.”
Orlando felt for his friend. He and Carmel had sat up nights talking about the situation, hurting for their best friend. They had been distracted from their own lives and had been amazed when Carmel fell pregnant almost immediately after they’d made the decision to try. They hadn’t told anyone yet, not even Ferma, and they kept their joy between them, especially in the face of Giacomo’s sadness.
Now Carmel reached over and squeezed her friend’s hand. “I know in my heart that she’ll come back to you, Jacky. I’ve never seen two people more in love—apart from Lando and me, of course,” she added hurriedly, grinning at her husband, and they were both gratified to see Giacomo half-smile.
“If Norah and I were ever as happy as you two, it would be a dream come true.”
