Page 36 of Remember When We
“Someone you should know.” Paul answered.
I still couldn’t tear my gaze away from him.
Chapter 10
Lyssa
“So, how are you today?” Carla asked.
Her expression was tentative and cautious. I’d been at the salon for a few hours. She just came in when I was finishing up a cut and style on one of my long-time clients who wanted something different in lieu of her divorce party.
“I’m okay. Just cut Cindy’s hair for her divorce party.” I smiled a smile I didn’t quite feel.
“I saw and it’s the bomb.” Carla returned the smile.
We’d gone into her office. She made some of her sweet brazil nut chocolate and served it to me.
“Divorce party though right?”
“I know, we can’t say that we’re ever bored here. Any news on Gio?”
“Yeah, he came by the bar last night.”
Her eyes widened and mischief flickered within them. “And what happened?”
There was no way I was telling her about that kiss. It shouldn’t have happened; plain and simple.
“It wasn’t good Carla. I just … it’s best I avoid him I think.”
“Did he look like he wanted to avoid you?”
“No, but that’s not the point. This is something I have to do myself.”
“What about Matthew? Don’t you think if Gio wants to see you then maybe—”
It was the same answer as last night. “He doesn’t need to know. It’s best we stay out of his life. Eight years Carla, it’s a long time and we’ve managed without him.”
Managed … that was putting it in a way that suggested I’d done well. Barely survived was more like it.
“Okay, I guess we’ll just see what happens. Like I said worry when you have to. No point worrying before and getting all worked up when you have so much on your plate.” Carla pressed her lips together and shrugged then that caution returned to her eyes. “Look, I wanted to talk to you.”
Something in me stilled and I instantly thought this was it. She was going to get rid of me. There was only so much a person could take and having mafia guys in her place like they owned it was definitely above the rim unacceptable.
She reached over and took my hand.
“No,” she shook her head and smiled. “Please don’t think that. I’m absolutely not going to ask you to leave and I’m offended you thought it.”
I must have been completely transparent.
“I’m sorry. It would be understandable though. Really it would.”
“Maybe, but for someone else chica. Not me. For the last two years I’ve watched you run around doing everything. I know if it was me I’d want to do everything too and my pride would get in the way, because I wouldn’t want you to know how bad things are with me. Deep down though I’d hope that you could see me crying out for help and help me.”
“I would.” I nodded.
“Good, and I know that you would, Lyssa because that’s who you are. So, I hope you understand that I want to take care of you too. I want to help you.”
“It’s too much.” It would be too much and dad’s debt was so much I couldn’t even tell anyone how much he owed. It was crazy. Two hundred grand and that wasn’t even how much he had borrowed. It was fifty grand with Santora interest.
