“Please don’t make me sit at the adult table out there by myself,” I said, flashing Roberto a humble smile.
He waved my concern off. “You sit here and tell us the news from America.”
We spent the next forty minutes gossiping like TMZ fans. I’d spent a lot of time in the past several years chatting up people from all walks of life on various jobs. It was something that came easily to me, maybe because I had social parents and an enormous, gregarious extended family.
But I also appreciated the opportunity to have a break from it, so after scheduling a time later in the morning to talk to Roberto and Concetta about the upcoming Paxis tournament and its hosting needs, I decided to indulge myself with some time in the sun. I returned to the room and peeked in on Locke, confirming he was still dead asleep. Then I changed into swimtrunks and made my way out the terrace doors to the pool. The sun was warm, and the sky was a deep, clear blue.
I covered myself in sunscreen and threw myself onto a chaise, barely restraining a pleasured groan at the expansive view and the feel of the warm sun on my skin.
This was the life. No wonder so many celebrities vacationed here.
While my body rested, my brain kept running at full speed. Was last night’s emergency response a common occurrence in Locke’s business? How had he known what to do? The man had been in charge of the company for less than six months, but he’d acted like someone with twenty-five years more experience.
Before I inevitably moved from appreciating his competency to remembering his hand on my dick, my phone buzzed with a text from my brother.
Gabe
Where are you and why is it Italy?
You have to stop tracking me. Seriously, it’s not okay.
I wasn’t sure how he did it, but I worried he’d find a way one day to track me even when I left my personal cell phone at home on official missions.
Gabe
Answer the question. Mav flew up to surprise you and you weren’t there.
My stomach dropped.
Fuck, seriously? Why didn’t he tell me he was coming?
Gabe
You know the dads. They never want to ruin a vibe or be a nuisance.
Since when? Beau is always in my shit, ruining all kinds of vibes.
Gabe
Okay, fine. Mav had a work thing in the city. But still. He was bummed you weren’t there. Did you get a last minute consulting assignment? Amalfi Coast seems a strange place for it. Do they even have companies in that tiny town you’re in?
It’s not work. It’s pleasure.
The water splash-slash-cum emoji appeared. Even though I knew he was implying that I was somewhere nice getting lots of dick, I played dumb.
Yes, in fact I’m in front of a swimming pool right now.
I sent him a photo of the water, tightly cropped so there was no identifying information in the shot.
Gabe
Who’s the guy?
I hesitated. Thankfully, before I responded, another message from him popped up.
Gabe
Guys, plural. I forget you don’t do repeats. Who are you with, though, and do they need another Marian? Because I could be free if needed.
