Page 84 of Knocked Up by My Dad's Mafia Boss

But Samantha’s smiling for the first time in… how long? He’s the better man for her. He’s young. Bright.

Not her father’s best fucking friend.

I hide in my room, drinking scotch until I hear Ricardo come in. I make my way downstairs once I hear them leave, sit on the couch, and turn on that show that Samantha and I used to watch.

Felicia’s winning. Samantha would be so pissed.

I gulp down scotch like it’s water. Tell myself I’m not waiting for her to come home.

Keep hating myself.

21

SAMANTHA

We go to a club called Envy and it’s slam-packed with people. I dance, and I drink ginger ale with lime so no one notices it’s not alcoholic.

I shake my ass and end up having a great time, but by the time the lights come on in the club, I’m exhausted, tottering on my heels from how tired I am instead of how drunk for once.

How did I used to do this all the time? “Piggy back me to the car,” I mutter to Reese, and he snorts.

He stares at me, holding Sofia on one arm. She drankwaytoo much vodka because she’s upset about Dmitri.

“I can’t carry you both!” he whines.

“Come on, you’re the only one not heartbroken in this trio, you have to pull double duty.”

“It’s not physically possible, Sam.”

I groan as Ricardo pulls the car from the parking garage to the club exit. I take off my heels, padding to Ricardo’s car on the concrete sidewalk.

We drop off Reese at Sofia’s place, and I hug them both although I doubt Sofia will remember the night.

I look out of Ricardo’s window. “You feeling okay?” he asks.

I look over at him, frowning.

“Heard you had the flu,” he says, his voice almost sheepish.

“Oh. I’m much better now, thanks.” I offer him a smile.

He smiles back warmly. I really have misjudged him. Papa told me about his mother, and I empathize with him.

“How’s your mom?” I ask quietly.

“New round of chemo has her sick as a dog, but doctors say it’s working,” he says, letting out a breath.

“That’s good news.”

“It is. I just wish she felt better.”

I nod. “Chemo’s really hard. Mama did three rounds before she…” I trail off. I don’t want to make him worry.

“I think it’s really going to work this time. It’s her second.”

“I’ll be thinking about her.”

“Thank you.” He pauses. “Are you sure you’re okay? You look a little pale.”