Total pages in book: 71
Estimated words: 66661 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 333(@200wpm)___ 267(@250wpm)___ 222(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 66661 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 333(@200wpm)___ 267(@250wpm)___ 222(@300wpm)
“Nadia …”
“Dante …” she mocked him back. “I tasted the cigar on your lips. I told you I don’t mind if you smoke the occasional cigars, so there’s no need to go to this extreme to hide that you are.”
“I told you I’d quit before our wedding, and I will”—he ran a hand through his thick hair that was peppered with gray more and more each day—“try.”
Nadia reached out to kiss him again much longer this time, not able to resist the stubborn look on his face. “I’m sure you will,” she fibbed, both of them knowing he probably wouldn’t, but it didn’t much matter to her. She was certain Dante used that time to reminisce in his old office and check in on the family business. “Maria, Winnie, and I are going for the final fitting of my wedding dress. I shouldn’t be gone long.”
He frowned at her. “You girls aren’t going alone, are you?”
Striding away, she blew him a kiss from over her shoulder. “We’ll be fine”
“Take my car. Amo will drive yo—”
“You really want Amo tagging along?” she asked, getting in the car. One last look at his face told her he, in fact, did not.
Putting the car in drive, her head was flung back onto the headrest as Maria pressed her heel on top of her foot to speed them away from the house.
“Maria!” she screamed out, regaining control of the car. “We’re not in an F1 race.”
“I’m not getting stuck with someone looking over our shoulders. It’s a girls’ day out, and that means no men.”
Since she hadn’t wanted any men to spoil the day either, she didn’t argue. With One-Shot revealed, and the two mafia families no longer feuding, it meant the girls could get a day to themselves on the rare occasion from time to time. However, Nadia was certain they were going to have a tail before they made it to their destination, regardless of how fast Maria was making her drive.
“What’s on the agenda? As long as we’re at the dress shop by three, we can go anywhere.”
“I made us an appointment at my spa. We’re going to be groomed and spoiled today. We probably won’t want to go home by the time they are done with us.”
Her and Maria shared a secretive women’s glance, knowing nothing would keep them from going home to their men other than an act of God.
At the spa, she was treated to a wax, nails done and, saving the best for last, a full body massage. Meeting up at the swimming pool, they relaxed on lounge chairs, each of them wiggling their toes to show off their new polish.
Sipping on their mimosas, Winnie sipped on a non-acholic fruity concoctions, which was better than what her and Maria were drinking.
“How’s the job hunting going, Winnie?” Nadia asked, wishing she hadn’t after seeing the worried expression replace the happy one on her friend’s sweet face.
“Not so good.” Her head hung low in embarrassment. “I’ve put in over twenty applications, and I haven’t been asked for a single interview.”
Winnie had actively been looking for a job to support herself since turning eighteen. She shared a room with another girl who had run away from home and had ended up at Moonbeam, as well. Once Willow left, another runaway would be given her spot.
“I feel bad. You’ve already let me stay six months longer than I should have.”
“Regardless of age, Haley and I want the residents to have a good environment to go to before leaving. You help us out so much; I wish you would stay and take the job we offered you as being an advisor to the other girls while you go to school.”
“I don’t want to go to college or do any other training courses until I’m certain I know what I want to do.”
Nadia wasn’t surprised at Winnie not wanting to stay at Moonbeam or being an advisor. Winnie was great with the other girls; the problem was the girls all loved Winnie, seeing her as a surrogate sister, which activated her flight response.
“I could talk to Haley and see if we could make an exception for you.”
Winnie shook her head. “I don’t want you to. I know I should take one of the training courses offered.” She sighed morosely. “I just want to get on my feet and make enough money for a small place to live and be on my own for a while.”
“I understand.” Willow had a good head on her shoulders. She was undecided in her future, and she didn’t want to jump into a field she would be unhappy with just to keep a roof over her head. “I’ll talk to Dante; maybe he could find a job for you at the casino.”
“I’d save that talk for when Winnie turns twenty-one,” Maria spoke up. “Unless they’re family, they aren’t getting through the hiring process.”