A Place in the Sun(17)

I took my time strolling down the main road, popping into one of the fancier shops to pick up some olive oil to send home to my mum and Freddie. I picked up some lemon candies for Andie and wrote a note to slip into the post—something that would put my brother’s mind at ease about my stay in Italy.



Dear Freddie,

I know you think I’m silly running off like I did, but I swear I know what I’m doing. Mum had gone completely mental with the matchmaking and I needed to put some boundaries between us—rather large boundaries, it seems, like the Alps and the English Channel.

I’m sure she’s furious, and knowing her, she’s probably reading this over your shoulder—HELLO MOTHER. I’ll have you know that Italy is fantastic, and the men here are just as gorgeous as I’d hoped they would be! I know you’ll worry less if you think I’m in the company of a good man, so I’ll have you know that I’ve gone on a date with a lovely man called Gianluca and of course, I will send word as soon as he commits to spending his life with me. Please prepare my dowry. Ha. (Fred, that joke was for you. I’m sure Mum is glowering at this point…)

Anyway, give those little nieces and nephew a massive kiss for me.

All my love,

Georgie



With a smile at my white lie there at the end, I sealed up the package and slipped it in with the outgoing post back at the hotel. I took the stairs slowly, exhausted after hours of swimming. I had plans to take a long, steamy shower and then read by the window as the sun set, but just as I rounded the top of the stairs, I spotted a little yellow note pasted to my hotel room door.

It was from Katerina, asking me if I fancied going on a double-date that evening. There were hardly any details about it, just the name of the restaurant and the time they’d be there. I had half a mind to crumple up the note and pretend I hadn’t seen it, but there was a small, minuscule chance they were setting me up with Gianluca, and so for that reason, I went.



…



Everyone was already seated by the time I arrived at Belforte. The restaurant was a bit nicer than the place we’d eaten the night before and I was glad I’d slipped on a pair of flats instead of flip-flops. Katerina saw me approach and her face split in two with an infectious grin. She and Massimo stood, and then my date stood as well.

I felt my smile falter as his features came into view. It wasn’t Gianluca. It was a very handsome man, but my appreciation for his features felt forced after realizing I’d wanted him to be someone else.

“Georgie! This is our friend Paolo!”

The man rushed forward to kiss me on either cheek and I was engulfed in a sweet smelling cologne. I was stiff at first, a bit awkward as we went through introductions and protocol. He held out my chair for me as Katerina explained how everyone knew each other.

“Paolo helps Massimo up at the farm, although I think they actually just drink and take naps up there all day.”

I nodded and slid my gaze over, trying to get a good look at him.

He had rich black hair, quite a few shades darker than Gianluca’s, and striking pale green eyes. The combination held my attention so well I didn’t hear him ask me a question until he’d repeated it a second time.

“You’re traveling in Italy?”

His English was strained and unpracticed, but it only added to his appeal.

“Yes,” I grinned. “Only for the last week or so. I was in Rome until I came here.”

“Did you like it?”

I caught a twinkle in his eye that told me he didn’t want the standard response. “Quite crowded, isn’t it?”

He grinned, wide. “Did you see the Colosseum, then? The Pantheon?”

“Well I saw the outside of the Colosseum, but not much else. The queue went on for nearly two hours it seemed.”

He nodded in agreement. “Cinque Terre…è meglio, no?”

I looked to Katerina for help, but Massimo chimed in first. “Better here?”

I laughed and nodded. “It’s amazing. I actually went over to Monterosso today, down to the beach.”

Katerina moaned. “I wish you’d asked me to come along! It’s been months since I’ve managed to get over there.”

I kicked myself for not thinking of the idea myself. I would have enjoyed a bit of company. “I didn’t know if you’d be working at the market or not.”

“No, no.” She shook her head. “Most days, I keep a clothing shop just along the main road off the square. It’s only open in the late morning and early afternoon, when the tourists are really out and about.”

I grinned. “Perfect, then I’ll come by the shop before you close up to have a look around and then we’ll go swimming.”

She nodded, excited. “Tomorrow?”

Paolo laughed and turned to Massimo, rattling off fast Italian.

Massimo turned to me with a cheeky smile. “He says he’s supposed to be the one asking you on a second date, not Katerina.”

I blushed and adjusted the napkin on my lap. That’s right. There I was on a double date and I’d been more interested in chatting with Katerina than I was in getting to know Paolo. After that, I made a real effort with him, turning my body toward him so he’d have my full attention.

He told me about his work up at Massimo’s farm, how they were currently harvesting the summer produce.