One Step to You (The Rome Novels #1)(72)

He introduced her to Claudio, who politely stood up to shake hands. Francesca was surprised at this show of chivalry. “This is the first time I’ve seen a gentleman in this place.”

She held Claudio’s hand a little longer than was normal.

He looked at her, slightly embarrassed. “Is that a compliment?”

“Certainly! You are distinguished, courtly, and charming.” Francesca laughed. Her long raven-black hair danced cheerfully around her dazzling white teeth. Then she walked off, sensually, well aware that his eyes would be following her.

Claudio took a seat, careful not to sit on the tail of his jacket. He decided he didn’t want to disappoint her.

Step picked up on that. “Nice ass, eh? Brazilian girls all have incredible asses. At least, that’s what I hear. I really wouldn’t know because I haven’t been to Brazil yet, but if they’re all like Francesca…” Step laughed and tossed back half his beer.

“Yes, she really is quite attractive.” Claudio drank his Martini spritz, slightly annoyed that his mind had been so easy to read.

“So, what were we talking about? Ah, yes, we were saying that Babi really is a remarkable young woman. Very true.”

“Yes, that’s right, and my wife, Raffaella…”

“Hmm, yes, I’ve met her. She’s a little powerhouse, shall we say.”

“Yes, true enough.” Claudio finished his Martini spritz. He was in full agreement with Stefano on that point too. At that moment, Francesca went by again. She tossed her hair, laughing, and shot a provocative glance at their table.

“You made a good impression, you know that, Claudio? Listen, shall we get something else to drink?” He didn’t give him time to answer. “Antonio, would you bring me another beer?” Then he turned to Claudio. “What’ll you have?”

“Why, no thanks. I don’t really want anything else…”

“What do you mean, you’re not having anything? Come on, now…”

Claudio decided that, at least for the moment, it wouldn’t be a good idea to push back too hard. “All right, then I’ll have a beer too.”

“Two beers and a bowl of olives, some potato chips, you know, bring us something to munch on.”

A short while later, their order arrived. Claudio was a little disappointed. Serving them now wasn’t Francesca but a black guy, slightly overweight, with a kind face.

Step waited for him to leave. “He’s Brazilian too. But a completely different kind of Brazilian, eh?”

They exchanged a smile. Claudio tasted his beer. It was good and cold. He drained another gulp. Stefano was a good guy. Maybe he was even more likable than his brother. In fact, no two ways about it.

And he took another drink of beer. “Anyway, like I was saying, Stefano, my wife is very worried about Babi. You know, this is her last year, and her final exams are coming up.”

“Yes, I know. I heard about her teacher, too, and the problems she’s been causing.” Step decided that it was probably wise not to mention the money they’d had to pay.

Claudio seemed surprised. “Oh, so you heard…”

“Yes, but I’m pretty sure that things will settle down.”

“I certainly hope so…” Claudio threw back a long slug of beer, thinking back on the ten million lire he’d been forced to pay out.

Instead, Step thought about Signora Giacci’s dog and Pollo’s efforts to teach it to play fetch. “You’ll see, Claudio, everything’s going to turn out fine. Signora Giacci is going to stop pestering Babi. That problem no longer exists, take it from me.”

Claudio tried to smile. How could he tell Step that the real problem was him?

Just then, a group of young guys came in. Two of them saw Step and came over to say hello. “Oh, ciao, Step! What the fuck happened to you? You have no idea, we’ve been looking for you everywhere. We’re still waiting for our rematch.”

“I’ve had other things to do.”

“Scared, are you?”

Step seemed slightly annoyed. “What are you talking about? Scared of what? We thrashed you two. And you’re still talking?”

“Hey, calm down, don’t lose your temper. We just haven’t seen you since then. You took our money, and then you disappeared.”

The other young man worked up his nerve a little too. “Plus you had a piece of luck on that last ball.”

“Just be glad that Pollo isn’t here. If not, I’d be glad to take the same amount of money from you, and we wouldn’t be talking about luck. We just made a series of incredible shots, one pocket after another.”

The two young men put on dubious expressions. “Yes, okay.” They went over to the bar to order a round of drinks.

Step saw them chatting. Then they looked over at him and started laughing. Step couldn’t stand it. “Listen, Claudio, do you know how to play pool?”

“There was a time when I played frequently. I was pretty good too. But now I haven’t picked up a pool cue in, like, forever.”

“Come on, please, you need to help me out. I can beat these guys like a drum. I just need you to set up the shots for me. I’ll take care of getting them into the pockets.”

“I don’t know though. We were supposed to talk.”