Lucca sits down at the table and opens the parasol. It covers the whole table and then some. It’s huge, but it looks so cool and enticing.”
“Come over, Harls. You won’t burn over here… or melt.”
I do as asked of me and sit opposite Lucca, but still facing Giovani, because I hate having my back to people.
“You look beautiful tonight, doesn’t she, Gio?”
“Absolutely. She always does,” I hear Giovani mutter, but I don’t think I was supposed to hear the last bit.
“Gio makes the best steaks. Just wait until you taste them.”
My stomach takes that moment to growl loudly. I hold it and smile. “Excuse my stomach. I’ve eaten more since I arrived here than I have in the last month.”
“Here, try my version of Shopska salad. Cucumber, peppers, onion, the best tomatoes around, covered in feta cheese. It’s amazing.”
“It sounds it. Is it Bulgarian?”
“Bulgaria’s speciality. Try it.”
I accept the bowl that Lucca hands me and I spoon some onto a side plate. Oh my God, the smell of fresh vegetables is amazing. I feel my mouth watering at the thought of all the different textures hitting my palate.
I moan as the mixture tantalises my taste buds. “It’s delicious.”
“One of my favourite dishes here,” Gio calls over to us.
I feel like a starved woman because I haven’t stopped eating since it hit my plate.
“I can see why. Those tomatoes are the best I’ve ever tasted.”
“I guarantee you won’t look at another tomato the same way again after eating a Bulgarian tomato,” says Lucca, very sure of himself.
I devour the salad on my plate and feel content. At least eating salad is healthy. I won’t have to worry about any crash diets when I get home.
Tonight gets off to a good start; good company, good food and wine, and the best location ever.
What more could I ask for?
***
“As much as I’ve loved tonight, this party animal needs some beauty sleep,” says Lucca. He raises his bottle, stands up, and leaves the table. “Night, bro.”
“You have a good family.” I take a sip of the wine I’ve been nursing for a while.
“Yeah, they’re not too bad. What about you? Brothers, you said, right?”
Gio turns onto his side to face me, his ankle crossed under his thigh, and our knees brush against one another. He looks comfortable.
“Two brothers. Older brothers. They’re very protective.”
“Typical brotherly role. And your parents?”
“Both retired. My mother is a retired English professor. My dad is a retired builder.”
“They say opposites attract.”
“Indeed. My mum and dad are like chalk and cheese, but I love them. I can’t imagine life without them.”
“And no boyfriend or husband?”
