I search his eyes, dark and determined. He rakes a hand through his hair, and I watch it fall back onto his face. He looks harassed. Sexy, flustered and very, very hot and bothered. Matteo has finally snapped. And it suits him.
‘Yes. Sure,’ I say, trying to keep from leaping with joy. ‘The sooner the better.’
13
The first thing Matteo and I need to do when we get back from the roller rink is go down to lunch and duck out of the afternoon’s gambling so that we can go shopping. We meet the others at the designated booth in a snack café and pray that everyone is too tired from roller skating to kick up a fuss. I do feel a bit guilty but if we confessed to the fake wedding now, they’d all want to hijack the shopping trip, especially as it’s for my wedding dress. Matteo and I have decided we must keep it a secret a little longer.
‘I’m so sorry,’ I say in a croaky voice. ‘I think the extreme air conditioning in here is making my throat dry. I’m going to see if I can get something from the chemist. Maybe get some fresh air. I’ll meet you back here for the show tonight. Is that okay?’
‘You’re the boss, Big Guy,’ says Big Sue, slouching on the bench seat, her arm slung round Big Mand’s shoulder.
‘I’m not the boss, but if you insist, then can you take over duties for me, please? Make sure Ged and Liam have a great afternoon in the casino.’
‘Don’t worry about us. We’re going to stay in the suite and keep Franz company,’ Ged says casually.
‘Franz?’ I ask.
‘Our naked butler. He’s gorgeous,’ gushes Liam. ‘He’s divine.’
‘We’d hate for him to get lonely,’ adds Ged with a slutty twinkle in his eye.
‘How considerate,’ I say, trying not to imagine the scene.
‘I’ll come with you. I could use the fresh air too,’ says Cherry. ‘That roller disco has really taken its toll on my pelvis. A walk will do me good. Do us good.’ She hangs her head, gently rubbing her belly. ‘Or maybe not a walk. Maybe we need a spa afternoon,’ she suggests hopefully.
Gah!
I glance over at Matteo. He mimes a cough.
‘Well, I also think I’m coming down with something. A bug. I’d hate for you to catch it.’ I fake a cough and put a hand to my throat. ‘Perhaps one of the others could spa with you?’
She eyes me closely.
She’ll know I’m lying. I am the picture of good health. I’m glowing with endorphins because I’m bursting with happiness. I’m effervescent with excitement and having a terrible time trying to hide it. I’m sure it’s written all over my face. I can feel my cheeks flame as Cherry continues staring at me.
I swallow loudly.
‘Yeah, you look a bit swollen. You must be coming down with something.’
Once Cherry confirms that my face is puffy, the Dollz are quick to agree. Apparently, I look drained and lacking iron.
‘Yeah,’ says Tash, eyeing me up and down. ‘You’re definitely retaining water. Must be all the travelling. You might want to pick up something to help you deflate.’
Matteo stifles a snigger. I can’t even look him in the eye.
* * *
We make our way from the hotel to the outside. The heat hits me in the nicest way. I realise how cold the hotel is in comparison.
‘God, it’s so bright out here,’ I say, shielding my eyes. ‘How long have I been inside?’ It feels like weeks, not days.
‘So, we have a choice of about fifty different wedding boutiques,’ Matteo says, glancing up from his phone with a smile. ‘And hundreds of wedding vendors for the other stuff.’
‘Other stuff?’
‘You know, like do you want a bouquet to hold on the gondola? A wedding ring?’
Oh.I forget he’s fresh out of doing all of this with his cheating ex-fiancée. I wonder how he feels about wasting yet more money on a wedding that’s not going anywhere.
