Page 13 of The Woman in the Hollow
“That’s very—oh, excuse me for a moment,” Giulia said as her phone started to ring.
When she got up to walk away from the table, Dante let out a deep breath.
“Yeah, I remember that feeling,” Lucky said with a chuckle. “Figured I would give you a couple minutes of reprieve.”
“Lucky, this is Hazel. She—”
“Works at the garden center,” Lucky cut him off. “Dom mentioned you having to break up a couple fucking in the woods.”
“What?” Dante asked, stiffening.
“Opening night. It was no big deal. And, don’t worry, we already have new safeguards up against that.”
“That’s not—”
“I’m so sorry,” Giulia said, coming back and grabbing her handbag. “I’m afraid I forgot my hair appointment,” she said, reaching up to pat her perfectly dyed and styled hair. “I have to run. Hazel, it was so nice to meet you, dear. Dante, you have to invite her to Sunday dinner.”
With that, the woman shuffled off before anyone could object.
“Your mom is a terrible liar,” I said when she was out of earshot, my smile breaking out.
“That she is,” Dante agreed. “I’m sorry about her. She’s…”
“A mom,” I filled in for him. “My momandmy grandmother have been the same way with me. They just want to see us happy.”
“In my mom’s case, I think she just wants more grand babies. Even though she’s already got a bunch.”
“Lucky, order’s up,” someone called from the door.
“That’s me. Nice to meet you, Hazel.”
“Thanks for the save, man,” Dante said.
Then his cousin was gone, and we were alone.
“The server is on her way out. Feel free to get back to your night if you want. Or you can stay.”
“I—”
“Hey! Sorry, I didn’t see you join the party. Can I get you something to drink?”
I really needed to get away from Dante and his intoxicating spicy scent and his charming smile.
“Water would be great.”
“And another glass for the wine,” Dante said, gesturing toward the bottle on the table.
“Absolutely. Be right back.”
“I don’t know if you drink, but this wine is great.”
“Wine sounds great. I haven’t had any since… before the move.”
“Any particular reason?”
“I don’t know anyone here. And I was raised to never drink alone. Of course that was odd advice since my mom and grandmother always lived together, so someone was always around to share a drink with. What?” I asked when his head tipped to the side and his brows pinched.
“I can’t fathom moving somewhere that I don’t know anyone.”
