Body (15 page)

“It was for me too,
Hermana
. I didn’t want to admit to what Antonio did to me, but talking about the experiences has made us both stronger. And remember, we got out.” She hugs me. Her familiar floral scent reminds me of all things good in the world.

I grip her tightly. We made it out of those diabolical relationships alive when many didn’t. Several of our group went back to their men. The next time we saw them, they were in the hospital or a casket. I shiver and Maria holds me tighter. God, I love this woman. “I love you, Ria.”

“
Te amo, Cara Bonita
.” She tucks my hair behind my ears. “Looks like you cleaned up the bruises pretty good. When are the stitches coming out?”

“End of the week. I have to make a follow-up appointment with my doctor.”

She gets up and goes to the side table to grab her keys.

“I have rehearsal.” Her smile drops into a frown. “Are you going to be okay?” She looks at me worriedly.

“Ria, I’m fine. I’ve been through worse,” I remind her with a wink.

She grins. “I’ll be home this evening. Make me dinner?
Por Favor?
” The woman is a glutton for my meals.

“Yes, of course. I’ll make dinner. I need to invite Bree and Kat over, too. Thanks to Phillip, they were blowing up my phone yesterday, and they’ll want the details.”

She throws on a cardigan and nods while pulling her thick, dark hair into a knot on the top of her head. “I’ll be home at seven. I expect my women to be loaded with vino and ready to grub when I return.”

Maria is a riot. She always refers to the girls as “my women.” It’s an endearing quality that makes me feel needed.

She’s out the door in a flash and I’m back to being alone with my thoughts. I decide to take a shower and unpack. I check in with Taye and confirm that I’ll be at work tomorrow at ten. After working the weekend and dealing with the attack, I’m taking a little time for myself. Besides, I need to file for a new license. I’ve already cancelled my cards and notified the bank. Such a mess. When will my life feel like it’s back to being mine? 

Chapter 8

Bree arrives first. The woman is striking. I’m always shocked by her beauty. Her long blonde hair hangs like a golden sheet down her back almost touching her bottom. Her eyes are cerulean blue that instantly remind me of Chase’s ocean eyes. Like any true Californian girl, her skin is sun-kissed and glowing. Bree’s wearing yoga pants and a knit tank top. Even in her work attire, she’s all tight muscles and lean curves. At five foot two, she’s the smallest of all of us, but her strength makes up for her tiny frame. Her pouty lips turn into a wide smile, and I grab her into a hug.

“Gigi, you had me so worried,” she whispers against my ear. The smell of rich incense permeates her hair.

“I’m okay, I promise.”

She nods and continues to hug me. Her hands encircle my waist. “You look like shit,” she says lightening the heavy moment. I turn and lead her in. “And your ass is getting big. You haven’t come to class in a whole week. You owe me three days this week,” she admonishes.

Bree is committed to keeping us all fit and flexible. She believes that toning the body and mind is the cure-all for any ailment. She’s our resident new ager from the tips of her pink painted toes to the top of her golden locks.

“I haven’t gained a pound so shut up!” I warn jokingly.

“Suit yourself,” she says in mock horror, “If you want Chase to see your sagging ass.

“You bitch!” I scold, and we both laugh.

The doorbell rings again, and I run to open it.

Kathleen is a vision. Her curly blonde hair is a halo around her face, reaching just past her shoulders. She slides her hand through it to remove it from her eyes. She’s wearing a long, flowing skirt in summery orange hues. Several necklaces in varying lengths hang from a long swanlike neck. Her caramel brown eyes gleam as she takes me in. Dozens of bangle bracelets tinkle as she pulls me into her arms.

“Oh Gigi, you gave us one heck of a scare,” she reprimands.

“I know, but, Kat, I’m okay. Really.” She kisses the side of my hairline and grabs my hand to squeeze it.

We enter the kitchen hand in hand. Bree is already sneaking bites of the salad I’ve prepared. She plops a cherry tomato in her mouth. “What? I haven’t eaten all day. And unlike you flabby bitches, I work out all day long!”

We all laugh. “Actually, Kat has been killing it in the studio,” Bree amends. “I saw you almost every day last week. I’m proud, girlie.”

Kat beams. “Unlike Gigi, I have to work hard to keep my girlish figure. The long nights in the theatre hunched over a sewing machine are killing my back.” She brings her hand to her slim hips and stretches her back. “The yoga is almost a requirement. And it’s not like I have a man to go home to.” She sighs.

Kat and Bree have been going through a dry spell with men and complain about it often. I giggle and they both look at me waiting.

I tell them what they want to know about Chase and the happenings in Chicago. By the time Hurricane Maria crashes into the kitchen, they are fully up to date and on their second glass of wine. I left out some of the ultra-embarrassing parts, like him getting me off in the middle of a restaurant. Some things are sacred and these girls would never let me live it down if they knew the finer details.

We sit at our quaint kitchen table in mismatched chairs. Maria and I couldn’t agree on a table so we refurbished a table we found at a yard sale and scouted out individual, unique chairs to go with it. The four of us always sit in the chair we’ve designated “our” chair. I’m sitting with one knee up on my wooden teal chair. It has cutouts and grooves in the wood where mustard yellow tones peek through the grain. It has rounded swirling arms that I can rest my palms on perfectly. It’s just my size and fits me like a glove.

Maria sits on her deep blue wooden chair with little red flowers indented into every surface. Kat is sitting crossed legged in the oak chair with rich browns and purple lines cutting through the wood in natural swirls. Bree is sitting in lotus position in the lone dark red wooden chair. It has incredibly cool dark brown knots in the wood from the original tree it was cut from. All unique, just like my girls.

They each laugh and talk over one another. I watch them in complete contentment. I am so blessed to have them in my life. I don’t know where I would be without them. After losing my mother, the only family I had, and the hell I survived with Justin, their constant presence in my life is a true gift.

“Gigi, what are you thinking about?” Kat asks then eats a forkful of lasagna.

“Just how lucky I am to have you guys,” I say genuinely. She nods and pats my hand.

“I don’t know about these bitches, but you’re lucky to have me,” says Bree, making us all howl. “Seriously though, Gigi. Tell us more about Chase. What’s he like?”

“He’s…intense. A man used to getting his way in all things.” I bring my hand up to my lips and pinch them, lost in thought.

“I don’t know about you two, but I like a man who takes charge,” Maria adds.

“Yes, but he can be very controlling. With my past history, it makes me nervous,” I admit.

Kat jumps in. “I’m sure you’re feeling gun-shy after Daniel and of course, Justin. That’s perfectly natural, honey.” She takes a sip of her white wine.

“Has anyone seen this man yet?” Bree interrupts. “Is he hot? You said he was hot but I don’t know if I believe you.” She smiles that evil little smile of hers.

“Mouth wateringly so, Bree. He’s tall, at least six two or three. Built.” I widen my arms out. “His hair is the color of coffee beans and his eyes, oh lord his eyes will be the death of me. They’re not just blue, like the sky. No they look like the ocean water you see on an advertisement for Cancun!” I gaze off dreamily. My mind flits back to his hand inching down my panties, his lips enslaving my nipple, the tender way he bit down on the sensitive flesh. Goosebumps run over my skin at the memory and I shiver.

“Um hello. Earth to Gigi?” Maria says. “I’ve got him on my cellphone right here. “Holy
mierda!
Gigi, talk about
caliente
! He’s so hot he’s on fire!” I’m brought back to the here and now and Maria is passing her smart phone to Bree.

“Oh, my. Girl, you weren’t kidding. He’s magnificent!” she exclaims and passes the phone to Kat as I try to grapple for it, missing it completely.

“Whoa, Gigi. And you haven’t hit that yet? What the hell? I’d hit it for you!” she exclaims and they all laugh.

Finally, I clasp the phone, pull it away and look at the screen. It’s a headshot of Chase from our Foundations website. Again, I feel so stupid not having known he was the Chairman of the Board. I sigh and stare at the image of his gorgeous face for much too long before Maria steals it back.

“You should see him naked, he’s glorious.” All three of their mouths drop. I guess I forgot to share that little tidbit. I snicker and pat myself on the back subconsciously. Point for Gigi!

“You’ve seen him
desnudo
! Complete bare ass naked and you didn’t tell us?” Maria says, a slight edge in her tone.

“You’re holding out on your best friends?” Bree mocks indignation.

“We have so little to hold onto, Gigi, and you’re getting frisky with a hot male supermodel of a man and you throw us no bones?” Kat manages through her laughter.

I take a huge gulp of my wine. Three sets of eyes watch patiently. “Well, it happened so fast. Okay, so he was getting out of the shower in a towel, we had a small argument over Phillip and then he dropped the towel.” I hide my embarrassment in another sip of wine. At this rate I’m going to end up drunk.

“And how was it?” Bree gestures between her own legs. I can’t believe she’s asking about his manhood.

“I’ll just bet it was
grande
,” Maria counters.

“Probably not. Sometimes those rich pricks have pencil dicks,” Kat quips while wiggling her pinky finger.

They’re carrying on a conversation with each other, back and forth, barbs flying freely. “Cut it!” I yell. All three quiet immediately and all eyes are on me. “He’s huge. Biggest penis I’ve ever had the pleasure seeing. And it was so pink and pretty and ready. Gawwwdddd.” I throw my hands over my heated face and they bust out in laughter. It’s infectious and we’re all laughing so hard we’re wiping tears from our eyes.

“So when do you think you’ll take it to the next level?” Kat asks sweetly. She can tell I’m off balance.

“I hope this weekend. Depends on his schedule, I guess. I get my stitches out Friday and he said he wouldn’t touch me until I was better.”

“That’s actually really sweet,” Bree says and stuffs her face full of lasagna. For a tiny woman, the girl can eat. Then again, when you’re teaching four yoga classes or more a day, you’d probably need to carb up.

“So what was your argument over Phillip?” Kat questions.

I explain the uncomfortable conversation we’d had prior to the towel incident and then again at the airport. They nod in understanding.

“I can understand why Chase would feel jealous about Phillip. He’s hot, Gigi. And he adores you.” Bree announces. She thinks Phillip’s hot? She never mentioned that. I agree that he’s good looking, but I’ve never considered him hot. Maybe because I’ve known him most my life and loved his wife so much?

“Phillip and I do not have that kind of relationship, and all of you know that,” I say.

“But, technically, you did lose your virginity to him. When are you going share that bit of information with Chase?” Kat throws in.

Never. I cringe and sip my wine. Do I owe Chase an explanation on that part of my past? We were in high school. It was two friends exploring one another and being each other’s first. At least I didn’t lose my virginity to some asshole in the back of a car on prom night. My time with Phillip was sweet. Phillip was gentle with me, treating me like a porcelain doll. Our exploration lasted all of ten minutes.

“I wasn’t planning on sharing that information with him,” I confirm.

Bree shakes her head. “You always say honesty is the best policy. So if it doesn’t suit you, you’re not going to be honest?”

Damn her for using my own morals against me. She definitely knows how to hit home.

“If it doesn’t come up, I don’t need to bring it up. It was a lifetime ago.” I finish my wine and Maria leans over and fills my glass once more.

She winks at me. “Okay, okay enough. Let’s toast,” Maria suggests. Every dinner we share a toast. It’s tradition.

We each raise our glasses and Maria leads, “Here’s to you, here’s to me, if we disagree, fuck you, fuck me, we’re family!” We howl with laughter and take a sip. She always knows the right thing to say to get things back to normal. We discuss Maria’s newest show and the costumes involved. Kat is working on those. Then when Bree is nice and toasty from three glasses of wine, the three of us attack with talk about the fact that Bree is actually interested in Phillip.

I’m surprised by the information but excited. I can’t wait to match them up. She’d be a perfect stepmother for Anabelle and the little girl adores her. Phillip hasn’t been with anyone seriously since Angela. We all agree Phillip needs to get laid more than the four of us combined. It would definitely keep him from hounding me about Chase. I start devising a plan to get them in the same space. I decide to work with Maria on the finer details. If there ever was a schemer, it is her and she’s damn good at it.

After we clean up, all of the girls leave and Maria retires to her room. I look at the clock and realize it’s almost midnight. Shit! Chase asked me to call him. I head to my room, put on my pajamas and crawl into bed with my cellphone.

There’s a missed call from Chase and a text message waiting.

From: Chase Davis

To: Gillian Callahan

Haven’t heard from you. Call me, no matter the time.

The message he left doesn’t sound exactly chipper. I dial his number and he answers on the first ring. “Gillian,” he says in greeting but there’s a slight edge to his voice.

“Hi. I just got done with dinner and cleaning up.” He doesn’t say anything. “I’m sorry I couldn’t call you earlier.”