LETTING MY TWO BEST FRIENDS GIVE HER EVERYTHING I CAN'T

Chapter 3

Elowen

I gulped the invisible saliva painfully. I should have gotten used to Adrian's sarcastic comments, but it was something I'm not sure I could get used to.

But I didn't blame him because I knew it was coming from a place of hurt. I understood his pain.

"Well," Matteo said finally, his accent thickening slightly the way it did when he was uncomfortable, "andiamo, we should board, no? The flight is ready and Positano is waiting."

The attendant came to escort us to the plane, and I was grateful for the movement, the distraction of gathering bags and checking tickets and helping Adrian navigate the jet bridge, anything to escape the tension that had settled over our group like fog.

The private jet was exactly as luxurious as I'd expected given Adrian's taste and budget, all cream leather and polished wood. Enough space that we could theoretically avoid each other for the duration of the flight.

I helped Adrian settle into the seat with the most legroom, made sure his medications and water were within reach, arranged the blanket over his legs the way he preferred, and only when he was situated did I allow myself to sink into the chair across the aisle and close my eyes for just a moment.

The flight was long and uncomfortable, the tension between Matteo and Kian filling the cabin like something physical, and I spent most of it pretending to sleep while Adrian made occasional comments about how ridiculous it was that his two best friends couldn't get along.

By the time we landed in Naples and made the drive up the winding coastal roads to Positano, I felt wrung out and hollow.

But when the villa finally came into view I wanted to weep at how beautiful it was, how cruelly perfect for a trip that already felt doomed.

The villa was everything the photographs promised and more, whitewashed stone and bougainvillea spilling over terraces that overlooked the Mediterranean.

And the late afternoon sun painted everything golden and warm, and for just a moment I let myself pretend this might actually be the escape I needed.

"It's lovely, Elowen," Adrian said as the driver helped him from the van. "You did well."

I nodded and immediately started directing luggage, my mind cataloging which bags went where and what needed to be unpacked first.

I was reaching for one of the heavier suitcases when Matteo's hand closed over mine.

"Let me get that, cara" he said gently, already lifting the bag. "You've been managing everything all day."

"I can handle it," I protested automatically.

"I know you can," Matteo said, his accent soft. "But you don't have to, not when I'm here offering."

Before I could argue, Kian appeared at my other side and took two more bags. "Which room is Adrian's?"

"Ground floor, but you really don't..."

"Just point me in the right direction," Kian said, already moving.

I watched them both disappear into the villa carrying luggage that should have been my responsibility, and I felt Adrian's eyes on me before I saw him, felt the weight of his attention like something cold sliding down my spine.

"How convenient," he said, his voice just loud enough for me to hear. "Having two strong men eager to ease your burden."

I turned to look at him but his expression was pleasant, almost amused, and I wondered if I'd imagined the edge in his tone.

The next hour passed in a blur of unpacking and arranging Adrian's room to his specifications, both Matteo and Kian helped without being asked, lifting and moving while I directed, and Adrian watched it all with that same unreadable expression.

When everything was finally settled, I excused myself to find my own room and discovered it was on the second floor with a balcony overlooking the sea, far enough from Adrian's ground floor suite that it felt almost like breathing space, I sank onto the bed without even unpacking.

A soft knock made me look up to find Matteo in the doorway, jacket discarded and sleeves rolled up. "May I come in, bella?"

I nodded and he entered, his movements careful and respectful of my space.

"I wanted to check on you," he said, leaning against the wall rather than sitting. "Today has been difficult, sì? The tension on the plane, Adrian's mood, all of it."

"I'm fine," I said automatically because that was the reasonable answer to give.

"Cara." His voice was gentle but firm. "You don't have to pretend with me, I see how tired you are, how much weight you carry."

My throat tightened and I had to look away. "He's my husband, it's my responsibility."

"And he's our friend," Matteo said quietly. "But that doesn't mean we don't see how he treats you, Elowen, the things he says, the way he blames you for something that wasn't your fault."

"You don't understand..."

"I understand he's in pain," Matteo interrupted softly. "I understand the accident changed everything for him and he's angry and frustrated and looking for someone to punish, but that doesn't make it right, cara, it doesn't mean you're to blame for whatever happened."

"He loves me," I whispered.

"I'm not doubting that" Matteo said. "But love should not feel like drowning, bella, and from where I stand, you are drowning and you're the one holding yourself under. Try to also take care of yourself too."

Before I could respond, Adrian's voice echoed up the stairs. "Elowen! I need you!"

Matteo's expression darkened but he stepped aside. "Go, but remember what I said. Take care of yourself too."

I fled down the stairs with his words ringing in my ears.

Adrian was in his room waiting, and the moment I entered he gestured for me to close the door.

"I saw Matteo go up to your room," he said without preamble. "Private conversation?"

"He was just checking that I was settled," I said carefully.

"How thoughtful." Adrian's smile didn't reach his eyes. "He's always been thoughtful with you, hasn't he, always so concerned, always so attentive, and Kian too with his protective looks and his offers to help, they're both so eager to play hero for my tragic wife."

"Adrian..."

"I want you to understand something," he said, wheeling closer. "They're not doing this because you're special, Elowen, they're doing it because they're good men who would help anyone in distress, it's who they are, their nature, don't confuse their basic human decency with actual interest in you, don't think so highly of yourself that you believe you're worth that kind of attention."

The words landed like blows and I felt myself shrinking under their weight.

"They feel sorry for you," Adrian continued relentlessly. "They see you as a victim to be rescued, that's all, and I see the way you light up when they're kind to you, the way you're practically starving for any scrap of positive attention because I've been so terrible, isn't that right, you're just grateful anyone is being nice to you."

"That's not..." I tried to tell him he was wrong, that whatever he was thinking was far from the truth but he cut me off.

"Isn't it?" He smiled again, cruel and satisfied. "Be honest with yourself, Elowen, you're not special, you're just convenient, you're just there, and they're decent enough to be kind to the pathetic woman trapped in a loveless marriage."

I couldn't speak past the lump in my throat, couldn't defend myself because part of me believed him, believed I wasn't worth the kindness they kept offering.

"Now go get some rest," Adrian said, turning away. "We're having dinner together on the main terrace at seven, all four of us, I have something I want to discuss."

I left his room on shaking legs and made it back upstairs before the tears started, I pressed my hands against my mouth to muffle the sound because I couldn't let anyone hear me break.

The hours until dinner passed in a haze of trying to pull myself together, washing my face and fixing my makeup and putting on the red dress Adrian had requested even though every movement felt like pushing through water.

By the time seven o'clock arrived, I'd managed to compose myself into something that looked almost normal, and I made my way down to the main terrace where the villa staff had set up an elaborate dinner under the stars.

Matteo was already there, looking impossibly handsome in dark slacks and a white linen shirt, and when he saw me his eyes widened. "Madonna, Elowen, you are stunning."

"Thank you," I murmured, wrapping my arms around myself.

He immediately shrugged out of his light jacket and draped it over my shoulders. "Here, bella, the evening can be cool."

The gesture made my chest ache and I pulled the jacket tighter, breathing in the scent of his cologne mixed with something warm and distinctly him.

Kian appeared next, still polished in slacks and a navy shirt, and his grey eyes swept over me in a way that made my skin feel too warm. "That dress should be illegal."

Before I could respond, Adrian wheeled onto the terrace with a smile that made my stomach clench. "Wonderful, we're all here, let's eat and then we can talk about why I really brought you all to Italy."

We sat in tense silence, the food appearing in courses I barely tasted, and Adrian made pleasant small talk about the villa and the view while I felt dread building in my chest like a storm.

It wasn't until dessert was served that Adrian leaned back in his wheelchair and looked at each of us in turn. "I want to discuss something important, something I've been thinking about for quite some time."

My hands were shaking so I folded them in my lap.

Was he planning to ask for a divorce? I would never accept it, if that's his plan.

I'd never leave him when he needs me the most.

"I've spent two years watching my wife fade," Adrian said conversationally. "Two years unable to give her what she needs, what any woman needs from a husband, and I've also spent those years watching my two best friends circle around her like they want to help but don't know how."

"Adrian," Kian said, warning in his voice. "Whatever you're about to say..."

"Let me finish," Adrian interrupted smoothly. "I've given this a lot of thought and I believe I've come up with a solution that benefits everyone involved, a way to give Elowen what she's been missing while also fulfilling my own wishes for my birthday."

The dread in my chest exploded into full panic.

He was about to ask for a divorce. I was right.

"My birthday wish," Adrian said, his eyes locking on mine across the table, "is for my wife to spend these two weeks letting my two best friends give her everything I can't, I want you..." he gestured to Matteo and Kian, "...to take care of her needs, all of them, I want you to share her."

I felt the earth pause at his words, felt my blood ran cold.

"What?" I whispered.