Someone to Love Read Online Free PDF Page B

aperitif.
    Fiamma arrived soon after. Strange, punctuality had never been her forte. She waved in my direction to attract my attention. Fiamma had cherry red lips and dark eyes, she was wearing black eye makeup, but was the kind of girl who could afford to leave the house in a tracksuit and with her hair uncombed. That evening she was wearing a low-cut top that showed off her generous curves and a pair of trendy, light coloured jeans.
    I was wearing black faux leather trousers and a paint red off the shoulder sweater with a half-length sleeves. I had tied back my curly hair, leaving only two locks falling to the sides of my face.
    Fiamma leaned over to kiss me on the cheek. “Wow, Mia! You’re beautiful tonight!” She shouted to be heard over the din. “Do you want to steal all the local men from me?”
    â€œDon’t exaggerate! I put on the first things I found,” I lied, it had taken rather a long time to choose what to wear.
    â€œWhat shall we drink?” asked Fiamma.
    â€œAn alcoholic drink, something strong,” I suggested.
    â€œSo, we want to get drunk tonight,” she said, maliciously.
    â€˜I’ll agree to that.”
    â€œI hope you won’t be driving home,” whispered a male voice to my left.
    Fiamma and I turned around in unison. Standing behind me was Alberto, the hospital doctor. He stretched out his hand to introduce himself to Fiamma and smiled.
    â€œPleased to meet you, Alberto,” he said, and his voice was warm and deep. “It’s a pleasure for me to meet you again. Mia, right? I’m here with a friend, why don’t you join us?” he asked, pointing to a pleasant looking man sitting at a nearby table.
    I felt a sudden jerk
    â€œOf course, one never refuses an invitation like that!” said Fiamma, dragging me along.
    â€œYou’ll have to explain this one to me,” she whispered in my ear.
    I followed him to the table and found a place between him and Fiamma, who had lost no time in focussing on the other prey. She sat down next to him, crossing her legs seductively.
    I ordered a second drink to drown the thoughts that crowded my brain.
    â€œI have to admit that I have never met such a fascinating vet before. Well, I’ve met some vets in my life, but you… you must be the joy of every animal!” he exclaimed, bringing his glass to his lips.
    â€œDon’t exaggerate, I would say that no one is happy to see me when I have to perform a castration…” I replied, amused.
    Alberto rolled his eyes and added, “In that case, I’ll take back everything I said and thank God for not being one of my mother’s Chihuahuas, Peggy and Zeus,” he said with a weak grin.
    I took another sip and placed the empty glass on the table, reflecting on those names. I remembered perfectly who he was referring to. Patty was one of the most diligent customers of the clinic: she even came in for trivial reasons, she was always anxious about her dogs and any reason was enough for a weekly visit. She often brought in chocolates to sweeten the staff, hoping to jump the queue but never succeeding. I had never seen her with a hair out of place or an outfit not studied in detail.
    â€œOf course! You must be Patty’s son. She’s been our client for many years, has a big heart, but you should tell her to worry less about her dogs. The other day she brought them in because she was alarmed by Peggy’s scratching,” I explained, measuring out the words. “It was only a flea. All it needed was a pipette of drops applied to her neck and the flea and the itch had gone.”
    Alberto nodded and his mouth relaxed into a smile. “I can’t believe it. Then ‘Happy Paws’ is your veterinary clinic?” He turned serious. “My mother adores you, you don’t know how often she speaks about you. She recommends you to all her friends.” He moved the chair, decreasing the distance