CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN: WINTER
“Youfeelingalright,Winter?” Daria plops down in the seat across from me.
We’re at a coffee shop today and the change of scenery is nice, even in my current state. I let my eyes trail over Daria. She’s wearing a cute floral summer top and the short jeans shorts she’s wearing stop high up on her thigh.
I look around for Salvatore but he seems to be being replaced by Polo today, which is odd. Do people’s seconds do guard work?
Amadeo is my guard again today and I’m starting to think that he’s a new permanent fixture.
The more time I spend with him, the more I hate him. He’s fucking snobby and I don’t care if Vito said he’d lay his life down for me because he acts as if he’s going to kill me himself.
I purse my lips when I find Daria watching me with concern.
“I’m okay,” I tell her.
“Yeah? Because your eyes are looking a little heavy and they’re red.”
Of course they are.
I’d found a bottle of Xanax on my nightstand this morning and I know exactly where they came from.
Vito.
I haven’t seen any of them all week, Enzo, Maximo, Vito, Giovanni. None of them have been around. But someone must be giving them updates on me, likely Amadeo.
My fingers had itched to open the bottle, to toss back every single pill in the bottle, but it felt as if it was some sort of test, like if I tried to overdose I’d be taught another one of those sick lessons.
So I hadn’t even taken a single pill.
Instead, I’d drug my feet across the floor, thankful for my flats. Amadeo looked at me in annoyance before telling me to pick my feet up because I was giving him a headache. I’d tried to match his glare in response but I’m pretty sure I failed.
“I’m alright,” I try to reassure Daria again. I tap my fingers against the table. “I’m exhausted, but I’m going to be okay.”
“I’d ask if you were being treated okay.” She cringes. “But I already know the answer to that.”
I give her a weak smile. “Just a lot going on right now but it’s good to see you.” Weeks ago I would have been more excited but with everything going on, I don’t know how much joy I’m capable of right now.
Still, I promised myself that I would make the best of this coffee date.
“Want me to grab you ladies’ coffee order?” Polo asks stepping up to the table. He’s speaking to both of us but his gaze has completely settled on Daria.
Daria tilts her head back slightly and I wonder what they’re going through right now. Every time I see them it seems as if their relationship has shifted. She’s usually either more hostile with him or he’s more captivated by her.
Today it seems to be the latter.
He offers her a wide smile and when her cheeks flush, it spreads wider.
That’s sweet, it must be nice. Having someone look at you like that and brightening up your whole day.
Except for the fact that the two can’t be together because of absolute bullshit.
Everything in this world is tainted, even something as simple as love.
My heart aches for Daria and I don’t honestly know how she can take knowing her soulmate is within reach and yet she can’t touch him.
Because I have no doubt that Polo is her soulmate, you don’t just look at anybody the way she looks at him.
I sigh and Polo’s gaze moves to me as if he’s just now remembering that I’m here too. His smile falls and he frowns as he takes my face in. “You alright there, Winter?”