Chapter 58: Chapter 19 - Giovanni (2)

She reaches for my arm, holding it like she usually does. She's not feeling me up—not at all. It's like a need for her, like a reminder that she's in the present and not alone. As confident as this woman is, she has deep and dark trauma that she has a hard time coming out of.

Our occasional hook ups aside, she's the only female friend I have outside the women in my family. I reach and ruffle her hair, giving her a genuine smile. "Of course. Happy birthday."

Tears well up in her eyes but she blinks fast and they're gone. "I didn't know you remembered."

"Dad should have something delivered to your doorstep today."

Her chin wobbles a little but like earlier, she brushes it off. Then she narrows her eyes at me. "Are you seeing someone? You're acting strange."

That's it. I shoo her, open the door and push her out. "You've overstayed your welcome. Now, kindly fuck off."

"You're an ass."

"A hot one, yes, I know."