“I know, I spoke with Max earlier today to wish them good luck.” Gia reached across the table to catch Lisa’s hand in hers. “It’s going to be fine, Lisa. I know it will.”
Lisa managed a small nod, as the waitress appeared with their drinks. “To Max and Stella and their long, happy life together!” Gia raised her tall glass to Lisa and won a smile from her friend. “Cheers!” Lisa said and they clinked their glasses together.
Gia was more than a bit on edge about Stella as well, but she didn’t want to project any of that onto Lisa, who obviously needed a distraction from those kinds of thoughts. She was also worried about how her brother was doing. Another person he loved dying in his arms of cancer would be too cruel for anyone to handle, and Gia prayed life didn’t hold that in store for him. He loved Stella unconditionally and if anything happened to her, Gia knew there would be no happy ending for Max either.
Shaking her head to clear it of depressing thoughts, Gia smiled at Lisa and steered the conversations as far away from Max and Stella as possible.
“So, you got the job in the gallery full time, huh?”
“Yep. I sold so many paintings during the three months I worked for them part time that they offered me a full time position. They've also been flexible with my hours, because I still have to go to classes. But, I'm able to work from home or schedule viewings with clients after hours. The owners say that the clients and artists love me for some reason. They are even giving me the opportunity to keep my eye open for new, undiscovered talent and present it to them. That’s what I’ve always wanted – to find new artists and give them the opportunity to reach a wider public with their art. It’s so hard to break into this business, so many talented people never have their art seen or appreciated...” Lisa chatted on enthusiastically about the gallery and her new opportunities for a long while. Gia was pleased she'd been able to distract Lisa from her problems for at least a little while. By the time their second cocktails arrived, Lisa was smiling and seemed to have relaxed. “How’s Francesco? I haven’t seen you in the papers for a while,” Lisa teased with a wicked grin.
“He’s been stressed lately and hasn’t been going to any events. Something’s going on with his business, but I’m not sure exactly what. I’d rather not be nosy and ask – if he wants to share, he will.” Gia drank her cocktail and tried to pretend Francesco’s behaviour didn't bother her. They hadn’t made love in a month and when they’d seen each other recently, it had been tense and uncomfortable. Francesco seemed to be distracted all the time and Gia wasn't sure how to pull him back to her.
In all honesty, she couldn't find it in herself to bother with the effort.
“You’ve been together for how long now? Three months?”
“Give or take.”
“That’s a long time in my book. He should be able to share if something is bothering him to such an extent that it’s affecting his mood. He gives the impression that he... cares for you and wants things between you to last. Don't you think he should be more open with you?”
“He’s a private person, it’s hard for him to just let go and talk about his feelings. He’s not like that, and I respect that.”
“Is that the reason why you don't want to know more about his problems?” Lisa raised a knowing eyebrow and challenged Gia to answer truthfully.
“What other reason could there be?” Gia frowned as she took a rather large gulp of her cocktail.
“Oh, I don't know. Maybe you don’t care?”
“Of course I care! He’s my boyfriend. I’m just trying to give him some space.”
Lisa rolled her eyes and leaned over the table, fixing Gia with a hard look.
“Cut the crap, Gia. You don’t love Francesco and you’re forcing yourself to stay in this farce of a relationship!”
“I don’t love him yet, that is true, but I don't fall in love easily. I’m not forcing myself to do anything. I like Francesco, I respect him and I think this relationship could work, given time.”
Lisa pulled back and crossed her arms over her chest, narrowing her eyes on Gia.
“You wanna know what I really think?”
“You’re going to tell me either way, so go ahead.”
“I think you’re using Francesco as a shield between you and Beppe.”
That statement cut so close to the truth that Gia barely managed to suppress a gasp. She wanted to agree with Lisa but instead she rolled her eyes and took another sip of her drink.
“That’s ridiculous. If I wanted to be with Beppe, I would be. It’s not like that between us.”
Lisa’s eyes softened and she traced the stem of her tall cocktail glass with her fingers. That was as close to fidgeting as she got.
“Look, you must have your reasons for not wanting a relationship with Beppe – no one knows him better than you and if that’s what you want, no one is going to argue with you. But I’ve seen you two together. I know that your smile is bigger when he’s around and your whole demeanor changes. You laugh more, you’re more yourself, more relaxed. I am not sure you are even aware that your eyes follow him whenever he is around. And the way Beppe looks at you, there is no doubt in my mind that he loves you more than just as a friend. He’d tear your clothes off given half a chance.”
Gia snorted. “That’s true for every attractive female, not just me.”
“You and I both know Beppe hasn’t done that in a while. He’s getting his shit together for you, Gia. He’s changing for you.”
“I don't think that’s true. Yes, he's tired of meaningless sex, but I don't think that has anything to do with me. He may be wanting something more out of a relationship, out of life, but not with me.”
“Why not?”
“I’ve been right here for the past three years, Lisa. That didn't stop his whoring around. But the moment I find myself in a relationship with the potential of turning serious, Beppe suddenly decides he wants to be with me. Don’t you think that’s a bit more than a coincidence?”
Lisa fell silent, probably analysing the cold facts and trying to distance herself from the romantic impression she had of Beppe and Gia in her head. Yes, they were great together. Yes, Gia felt comfortable and more like herself when she was with Beppe, but that was because they’d known each other for seventeen years and been through hell and back. It had nothing to do with them having feelings for each other.
“Maybe you’re right, I don't know. It’s between the two of you. But, I think that when you have something as great as what you and Beppe have, you fight for it and you don’t settle for scraps given to you by someone else.”
“I’m not settling, Lisa. I like Francesco. He’s in a tough spot right now, but things will improve, I know it. I really feel we could have a future, but we need to be patient with each other. I’m not easy, either. It is going to take a long time to share parts of myself with him. He still doesn’t know the whole me. But we’ll get there.”
Lisa nodded and raised her cocktail. They clinked their glasses together in silent agreement to change the subject and talked about much more pleasant things like the new Channing Tatum movie and the new 30 Seconds to Mars album for the rest of the night.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
“I’m so happy for both of you, Max! Tell Stella I said hi and tell her I said to get well soon!”
Gia said her goodbyes with her ecstatic brother. He had called to tell her that Stella’s procedure went fine and the doctors predicted a positive outcome. Nothing would be certain at least a few more weeks, but according to initial assessments, the chances of full recovery were very good.
Gia couldn't be happier. Stella was an amazing person who’d been through so much. She deserved a break, a fucking silver lining in her life. Thankfully, she had Max, who was head over heels in love with her and needed her to get better.
Despite the worry for her cousin, Lisa had mentioned the other night that she and her mum had booked tickets to go visit them in London in a few weeks. That proved Lisa firmly believed in Stell
a’s recovery. Max needed that belief from someone else besides himself. Maybe it wasn’t such a bad idea if Gia went with them? She wouldn’t be able to afford much time off work, but she was sure she could get at least a few days. Max needed all the support he could get from his family, and Gia had already let him down once. She didn't intend to ever do it again.
Making up her mind to talk to Francesco about having a week off work, Gia absentmindedly put her phone back in her bag and picked up her pace. She was headed to the supermarket to buy some groceries for dinner. Francesco was supposed to be back from his trip this evening and she’d arranged to leave work early and surprise him – cook dinner at his apartment and help him unwind. She needed to put more effort in this relationship if she had any chance of making it work. Besides, she missed him.
He’d been gone for five days and whenever she’d called him at the end of the day he’d sounded drained. He had told her his days were filled with meeting after meeting. A good home-cooked meal, some wine and a bath would do him good. Gia wanted to help him relax and unwind.
As she made her way up the street her eye was caught by a photo on the front page of every newspaper on the news stand she was passing. It was a picture of a peacefully sleeping, naked, Francesco and curled up next to him was a strange woman. Gia stopped dead in her tracks, blindsided by the horror and betrayal she could feel stealing over her.
Her phone rang in her bag. She pulled it out still in a daze and picked up automatically, unable to tear her eyes off that photo.
“Gia, baby, we need to talk. Are you still at home?” Francesco’s voice sounded urgent.
“No, I’m not home, baby, I’m on my way to the supermarket and imagine my surprise when I saw your naked body sprawled all over the papers with an equally naked woman next to you!” Gia clutched the phone so tightly she thought it might snap and walked away from the news stand, feeling queasy.
“It’s not what it looks like! Please, you need to believe me! Three nights ago I got drunk after the late meeting and went straight to my hotel, took a shower and passed out on the bed. That girl and whoever took the photo must have followed me and taken advantage of me!”
Gia rolled her eyes and snorted.
“How stupid do you think I am, Francesco? Don’t offend me with such a lame explanation. Is that what you’ve been doing on your business trips? Screwing around on me? If you wanted to fuck other women, all you had to do was say so and I would have set your dick free!”
“Oh, I bet you would have loved that, right? To give you a reason to leave? How long have you been looking for one?” Francesco’s tone swung from apologetic to clipped, his pain clearly showing in his words. Had Gia really been that obvious? That uninvolved in their relationship?
No! That wasn’t the point and she’d be damned if she allowed Francesco to turn this conversation around and make her feel guilty when he was the one who was plastered all over the papers naked!
“Well, if I were looking for a reason I guess I have one now.” Gia returned with no emotion.
“No, Gia, please. Don't hang up. Let’s talk tonight when I get home. Please, you have to believe me. You’re right, if I wanted anybody else I would have broken up with you, but I don’t want anybody else, baby. I want you. Please, let me explain in person. Don’t let them win, that’s what they want. That and the huge cheque I'm sure they got from selling the photo.”
“I think the photo is pretty self-explanatory, you don't need to say anything else and I don’t believe for a second someone could stage that.”
“But...”
“I have to go Francesco.”
Gia disconnected the call and put the phone on silent. She didn’t want to talk to him, not now, not tonight, not ever. Tears stung in her eyes but she refused to set them free.
It hurt.
How many times had Francesco fucked around? How many more women would come out of hiding to share their story with the world? She'd trusted him. It had never crossed her mind that he might be sleeping with someone else. Maybe it should have. Was she partially to blame? Francesco had been feeling alienated and Gia had been acting as if she didn’t care about their relationship. Top that with the stress of the new venture he was trying to put together, and it was no wonder he’d sought comfort in another woman, if only for a night or two.
And yet, deep down, Gia wasn't sure Francesco had cheated on her. Was it possible that he was telling the truth? That someone had taken the effort to stage that for a paycheck?
Gia’s head pounded in confusion. She needed time, she needed space and she needed to think. Taking her phone back out, Gia saw she had five missed calls from Francesco and three from unknown numbers. And then there was one call she wanted to take – Beppe. He’d called a minute ago.
Gia called the restaurant to let them know she wouldn’t be in to work. They didn’t even question why. They must have already seen the papers.
It had been no secret Gia was dating Francesco. She hadn’t had any friends there before dating him, but after, the atmosphere in the kitchen became borderline hostile. It hadn't bothered Gia too much – she was there to do her job, not chat with her colleagues, but it still didn't seem fair. She’d never played the ‘boss’ girlfriend’ and always worked as hard as she could, never expecteding special treatment.
Raising a hand to hail a taxi, Gia hopped in and gave the driver Beppe’s address. His home was the only place she'd feel safe and calm enough to sort out her thoughts.
Deciding against using her key, because the concierge had told her Beppe was home, Gia rang the bell and waited. Beppe opened the door a few seconds later, wearing nothing but a pair of jeans. His hair was not styled and stuck out in every direction, and the sight of his bare chest made Gia's body begin to hum. His skin was smooth and golden; his pierced nipples were erect and begging to be licked; his tattoos told a story only Beppe and Gia knew because they’d lived it together.
Beppe must have already been aware of what she was going through, because without saying a word he stepped aside to let her in. She walked past him and headed for her room. They both knew Gia needed time alone. She knew Beppe wouldn't disturb her, or ask for details until she was ready to talk. She was grateful for that.
It was a knock on the door that woke Gia up. She must have fallen asleep, exhausted from trying to process what had happened earlier today. She could tell by the long shadows on the wall that it had to be after 6:00 pm.
“Come in,” she said in a sleep husky voice. Beppe entered, carrying a tray with a sandwich and a bottle of water.
“Better?” he asked, sitting on the bed and pushing the tray towards Gia.
“Not really. Thanks.” Her stomach rumbled and reminded her she hadn’t eaten anything today. Taking the sandwich from the tray, Gia bit into the soft bread and moaned in appreciation.
“Did you take his call?” Beppe asked. Gia nodded as she continued to eat her sandwich.
“Do you believe him?”
Beppe automatically assumed Francesco had tried to deny he’d cheated. Of course he did. That was what anybody would do, right?
“I don’t know,” Gia said and carefully put the rest of her sandwich back on the plate.
After taking a few gulps of water, she used the napkin Beppe had thoughtfully provided to wipe her mouth. “He wants to talk tonight, explain everything in person. I’m not sure I can handle seeing him.”
“What did he say?”
“He said someone staged the whole thing. He claims he got drunk and went to bed alone. I’m finding it hard to believe someone would go through all this trouble. And for what? Fifteen minutes of fame and a few thousand euro?” Gia picked up her sandwich again and resumed eating.
Beppe ran his hand through his hair and adopted a thoughtful expression.
“I know you came because you feel you’re always welcome and safe here – which is true. That’s why I’m not going to say what I want to say. I’ll try and not betray your trust in me and in my home.” Beppe
took a deep breath, before saying, “I think you need to talk to him personally.” Gia glowered at him. But, as her mouth was full, Beppe had the advantage to continue uninterrupted, “You have no idea how much I want to say, ‘Dump his cheating ass’, but I won’t. I know you, amore. I know that if you don’t have this talk face to face, you’ll never know for sure if he’s lying or not. There will be this doubt settled in your gut that maybe you acted too hastily, and you'll never have closure. Now, don’t get me wrong, I don’t want you to run into his arms and accept everything he’s saying as the truth. But I do think you should talk to him in person, and if ending your relationship is what you decide to do, then you should do it in person. Slamming the phone on him mid-sentence is not the way to go, cara.”
“I didn’t slam the phone.”
Beppe raised his eyebrow mockingly.
“You can’t slam the phone these days. I had to be content with touching the screen forcefully.”
Beppe laughed and placed the now empty tray on the bedside table.
“Why are you saying this? I thought you’d be the first to throw my break up party? You hate Francesco, why are you defending him?”
“I’m not defending him. This is not about him, Gia, it’s about you. You need to be sure you’re doing the right thing, or you’ll be hung up on this, wondering ‘what if’ forever.”
Gia nodded. Beppe was right. And not only that – he was acting selflessly, trying to convince Gia to meet with Francesco and talk, when she knew for a fact Beppe would love it if their relationship crashed and burned. Sometimes Beppe made her feel two inches tall – if the roles were reversed she wasn’t sure she’d be able to be as gracious.
Just then the landline rang and Beppe went to the living room to get it. Gia slowly followed, but paused mid step as he looked up at her.
“Hold on, I’ll ask her,” he said and removed the received from his ear. “It’s the concierge. Francesco is downstairs demanding to see you.”
Then, Now, Forever (Heartbeat #2) Page 14