“No, of course I don’t. I was coming to find you to see if you would let me take you to dinner, but Lucca’s idea sounds good. I’ll just have to get you to agree to dinner another night.”
My cheeks heat even more. “I’ll hold you to that. I should get out of this heat, go for a shower, and get dressed for tonight. Thank you for today. I really enjoyed it.”
“No thanks necessary. I’ll see you tonight, Miss Harleigh.”
“That you will.” We both stand up together. “Bye, Giovani.”
“Bye.”
I turn away and practically skip away. I’ve never had as much excitement or so many plans in my life. I’m all work and no play, but I’m realising that makes a boring life.
Just being away from Scotland has made a big difference to the way I view things. I’m not looking over my shoulder, wondering what’s going to happen next, or what will become of my existence. After this holiday I’m going to be changing the way I look at life full stop. I’m going to live for the moment and enjoy every single minute. I’m going to make plans and stick to them. I won’t let the past dictate my life any longer.
Maybe this holiday will open up my mind to lots of new possibilities.
Chapter 8
Harleigh
You’d think I was going for dinner with the Queen the way I’m primping and preening myself. Gio and Lucca won’t care what I’m wearing. They don’t seem like the kind of guys to care about the attire I choose, and I like that. Martin always had a say in what I wore. I wasn’t allowed to dress like a woman of my twenty-seven years. I dressed more like my grandma. Well, my grandma probably dressed more fashionably than I ever did during my relationship with Martin.
I throw on a long black maxi-dress over my swimsuit. I’m not sure if I’ll have the confidence to use Giovani’s pool, but it looks better to wear a swimsuit than a bra. It feels better too. I’ve always been well-endowed; forgoing a bra is never something I can do unless I’m in my pyjamas. It’s something I like doing now, because when I was around my ex, he used to make sure I knew how much he detested my curves. It was something he could do anytime of the day, around people or on our own. Even a year on, I still hear his snarky comments on repeat.
I stand up straighter, push my chest out proudly, and ruffle my fingers through my hair. I like thisdon’t give a tossattitude.
I grab the bottle of prosecco Giovani had sent to my room on my first day here. I’ll never drink it alone, so I’m as well taking it with me, and my new holiday buddies can help me devour it. I’ve never been to someone’s house for dinner without taking a small gift; it’s compulsory in my rule book. I grab my small bag, place the bottle inside, and leave my room. Soft music is echoing up the stairs from the lounge.
“Good evening, Miss,” says Horatio.
I can see what he means about never being away from this door. He was here when Giovani and I left at eleven a.m., and he’s still here at eight p.m.
“Good evening, Horatio.”
“Dinner time?”
“It is. The sea air and sun are making me eat like a horse.”
We both exchange a chuckle and I leave the hotel lobby. I’m pretty sure Horatio didn’t really understand everything I said, but he’s always pleasant to me.
The moment I leave the hotel steps, the evening heat hits me. There isn’t a bit of air at all. It feels just like it did this afternoon, only more humid. I could get used to living like this. I think the jet set lifestyle would suit my newfound personality.
I walk along the cobbled street with no cares in the world. It’s a good feeling. People are sitting in restaurants, browsing the shops, and enjoying their families. It’s nice to see so many different nationalities in one area.
I turn the corner into Giovani’s street, and up in the distance, his house is glowing higher than all the other buildings in the area. It’s like it’s on a pedestal. All the other houses are dull in comparison. It’s an amazing house. I can see the beauty of it today in the dusk light. I’m also not inebriated by alcohol, so I can take in the elegance that radiates from the building alone.
I slip through the small gate off to the side, instead of the double gates that allow cars to pass through into the driveway. I can’t take my eyes off the house.
“Are you just going to gawp or are you coming up?” Lucca brushes past me with his arms filled with bags.
“Let me help you.” But he’s walking at speed up the steps towards the house. I follow swiftly behind him, around the side of the house, and out into the back garden. Giovani is off to the far side, cooking on the grill. The barbecue aroma fills my senses and my stomach growls. I walk over to him and take out the bottle of prosecco. He turns just as I approach him. His smile lights up his face. He’s like a model. His shorts sit delicately on his hips, his polo shirt is untucked, but it’s his bare feet that make me swoon.
Eurgh! I need to get a grip if I’m going to survive this dinner. I have absolutely no idea what’s wrong with me.
“You made it.” He leans in and places a soft kiss on my cheek.
Instead of recoiling at his touch, I relish in it.
“I did. I brought this.”
