Carmela fiddled with the cuffs of the white shirt peeking out of the sleeves of her bright red power suit. “She had some other things going on that diverted her attention.”
I pinched the bridge of my nose. “Like what?”
“She got engaged and moved in with her fiancé. She put off her rehabilitation to plan the wedding.”
I raised one eyebrow. “Uh-huh, and where’s the fiancé now?”
“She broke off the engagement.”
“Why?”
“It’s none of your business.” Carmela lifted her chin and squared her shoulders. I knew that look. I had seen it countless times when she faced off with our mom. I wouldn’t get much else out of her. Her stubbornness drove our parents crazy.
“Is the ex going to be a problem?”
“No,” she answered without hesitation.
“Will I be dealing with a blubbering mess every day?”
“Absolutely not. Evie is a strong person with a good head on her shoulders, and she’s really talented. She just needs a little help right now.”
“So let her stay with you until she’s back on her feet.”
“She has been. She doesn’t want to be dependent on me financially until she starts making money. She wants a job, but if she finds a normal job, she won’t have enough time to train or go to auditions. If you hire her, she’ll have flexibility and a place to stay.”
My brows snapped together. “A place to stay?”
She shifted on her feet. “Well, yeah. I thought she could stay where you take your…your whatever.” She waved her hand. “You know what I’m talking about. The apartment above your club.”
I chuckled. “What are you, in kindergarten? You can’t say it.”
She cocked her hip to the side. “Screw you, Gian. The last thing I want to talk about is my twin brother hooking up with all those random…” She shivered. “You know.”
“You’ve got a point.” I chuckled. “I’m not sure I’m the person to help your friend.”
“Interview her, and if you like her, offer her a two-week trial period. That’s all I’m asking.”
Though my mind scrambled for a way to sidestep her request, in the end, I caved. I’d hire her for a trial period and terminate her when it was over. It’d be easy enough to scare her away.
“Bring her by the club tonight, and I’ll interview her. That’s all I can promise you.”
She pressed a kiss to my cheek. “I knew you’d help.”
“I have a feeling I’m going to regret this,” I grumbled. “Now get out of here. I need to shower.”
She held up her hand. “One more thing.”
“What’s that?”
“Don’t hit on my friend. She doesn’t need another asshole in her life.”
“Got it. I’ll keep my hands and mouth far away from her.”
She narrowed her eyes. “And every other body part.”
“Have a little faith in me. I’m not that bad.”
“No, you’re worse, and we both know it.”
CHAPTER THREE
Evangeline
After crashing on Carmela’s couch for a week and submitting job applications everywhere and anywhere, I didn’t have a single viable job prospect. Well, I had one. Carmela’s twin brother had agreed to interview me for a position at his club tonight. My stomach churned at the thought of working for Gianluca Trassato. I hadn’t met him. I didn’t know much about him except the little gossip I overheard from some of my actor friends when I introduced them to Carmela. Basically, they said he was a man-whore with connections to the mafia.
Common sense told me to stay far away from him. Unfortunately, I didn’t have any other options except going home or running back to Kevin, neither of which I wanted to consider. Kevin had asked me to give him back the engagement ring, which I planned to pawn to fund my life. I hadn’t decided what I should do.
I climbed out of the taxi and stood on the street with my hands parked on the waistline of my skirt, watching the scene in front of me. Laughter floated through the air, and bits and pieces of conversations filtered into my ears. The line to the club snaked around the block.
Nightclubs weren’t my scene. I’d successfully avoided them since I moved to New York City a couple of years ago. Initially, I worked too much to do anything other than meet friends for dinner. After I met Kevin, we went to art galleries and charity fundraisers.
Though Carmela had told me my name would be on the bouncer’s VIP list, I fleetingly considered abandoning this whole adventure and going back to her apartment.
I can do this.