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that’s the upside of crashing my car and stranding us on the highway? Maybe my car will get stolen?” The Honda was a piece of crap. But it was Bella’s piece of crap. She bought it (used) when she was seventeen. She and the Honda had been through a lot together. Another loss. She bit her lip. She was not going to let herself cry.
    Gia looked concerned. “I’ll buy you a new car. I swear.”
    Right. Like that was gonna happen. Bella closed her eyes and counted to ten. Friggin’ one . Friggin’ two . Friggin’ three. …
    A red pickup truck pulled to a stop on the shoulder in front ofthe exit ramp. The driver, in a gray suit, climbed out of the front, waited for traffic, then jogged over to them.
    â€œIs anyone hurt?”
    â€œAlways coming to the rescue,” said Gia to Frank Rossi, her ex, a local firefighter. Last summer, he loved nothing more than throwing Gia over his shoulder in the fireman’s carry to take her to the safety of his bed.
    And here he was, doing his hero act again. Gia said, “You look good in a suit. Where’re you going? Firemen’s Ball?”
    â€œWhat the hell happened?” he asked, assessing the Honda’s damage.
    â€œWe’re fine,” said Bella. “But we need a tow.”
    It was like she hadn’t spoken. Frank was on Gia now, checking her for breaks, squeezing and prodding her body. “Watch the dress,” squealed Gia. A few of the feathers came off, flew into the highway, and got run over by a beer truck.
    Gia seemed more frazzled to see Frankie than by the accident. “You look awesome,” she said, hugging him hello. “And you smell good, too.” The top of her head came up to his nipples.
    Frankie made a quick phone call. After he hung up, he said, “I called the Troublino Body Shop for a tow. Should be here in half an hour.”
    Tony’s grandfather’s garage, thought Bella. Great. Now she’d have to deal with her ex when she went to get her car from Giuseppe’s body shop. “Thanks,” she said.
    Frank ignored her. His eyes were locked on Gia. “Can I give you a lift?”
    â€œYes! We’re late already,” said Gia, hurrying in the truck’s direction. When she took a step, she teetered and yelped.
    Frankie caught her in his arms before she fell on the grease-smeared highway. He picked her up and held her like a baby. Gia instinctively wrapped her arms around his neck. “Ankle?” he asked, concerned.
    â€œHeel.” She extended her foot. One of her patent-leather pumps’ four-inch heels had snapped off. “Can you carry me to the truck?”
    Bella stifled a laugh. Gia had a sexual quirk about being carried. She got off on it. Whatever. Bella liked it when boys bit her neck like a vampire. To each her own.
    Frankie smiled and hoisted Gia up higher. She squealed and giggled. Turning to Bella, he said, “You might want to get anything of value out of the car.”
    While Bella grabbed their purses and emptied the contents of the glove box into a plastic bag she found in the backseat, Gia said, “This is sick luck that you drove by. We’re going to Neptune’s Hideaway for Maria’s wedding. We’re the bridesmaids.”
    â€œI figured that from your matching dresses. I’m going to the wedding, too.”
    â€œYou … why didn’t you tell me? I didn’t know you and Stanley were close.”
    Frank hesitated. “We’re not. I’m going because—”
    Suddenly, a bronzed guidette appeared in the truck window. She banged her hand on the side of the door and hollered, “Hey, Frankie! What’s the holdup? Let’s go!”
    â€œWho’s that?” asked Gia about the girl yanking Frankie’s leash.
    â€œThat’s Cara Lupo. She’s Mario Lupo’s daughter.”
    â€œRelated to Donna and Fredo Lupo?” asked Bella.
    â€œCara is Fredo’s