She’d never really been desired before. She’d never been anyone’s girlfriend either, though she wasn’t quite sure she was Luca’s yet.
She hoped so, especially after the other night.
It was entirely possible for a man like him to genuinely care about someone like her, wasn’t it?
She still had her doubts, but that wonderful evening they’d spent together on the boat had encouraged her to forget her misgivings and just enjoy the time they had together while she was here.
Her copper hair looked like flames as she glanced at her reflection in the passing store windows. Whereas before she would’ve frowned at her fair skin and freckles, these days, thanks to Luca, she had a greater appreciation for them.
The summer dress she wore – a recent purchase – came above her knees and hugged her neat waist. It wasn’t flashy or revealing, still pretty simple, but thanks to Kim and Annie’s style advice, a lot more flattering than anything she’d ever dreamed of wearing before.
‘Ah, here we are,’ Colette mumbled happily to herself as she peered up at a sign.
House of Gems was Mama Elene’s recommendation when – on a recent visit to the restaurant with Luca – she had asked the older woman for shopping advice. She said it was the best retailer to find quality jewellery at decent prices.
‘Don’t waste your money in the tourist places,’ the Italian woman cautioned.
The windows were filled with unusual displays that used everything from driftwood to coffee cups to enhance the appearance of the merchandise.
Inside, the floors were covered in green tiles that looked like marble. They may very well have been marble but Colette was clueless on the subject. Glass display cases dotted the cosy space, while shelves adorned the walls. Colette wandered past a case with a selection of rings and watches, further on towards the bracelets and necklaces.
She was hoping to find gifts for her mum and sister, as well as picking up something small to thank Kim and Annie for their advice, and as a memento of their time here. Onyx, opals, sapphires, and other gems Colette couldn’t identify, but certainly looked pretty, lined the display before her.
‘Welcome, I’m Anastasia. How may I help you?’ a pretty woman with black hair greeted in Italian.
Colette turned to her with a smile and cleared her throat a little before responding, also in Italian. ‘I’m looking for some gifts for some special people in my life.’
‘For a birthday? Or other celebration?’
Colette shrugged. ‘Just a thank you.’
Anastasia smiled. ‘You have come to the right place. We have everything you need for every reason.’ She picked up a silver bracelet with a green stone in it. ‘Would your friends perhaps like something like this?’
Colette looked at the circles of green mounted in shining silver. It was beautiful, but she wasn’t sure it was Kim or Annie. She shook her head. ‘I don’t think so.’
Anastasia smiled and moved on to another piece, equally as beautiful, but still not quite what Colette imagined either of her new friends wearing. Kim was elegance personified, whereas something fun or quirky would work best for Annie.
A few minutes later, when guilt began to plague her for the amount of Anastasia’s time she was taking up when she still couldn’t find something, Colette asked the young woman in English to give her just a few minutes to look around. Everything was so beautiful, which was why she was having such a difficult time deciding.
She turned back to a display case.
‘So much to choose from, isn’t there?’ a male voice commented from beside her.
‘Yes, but I just told Anastasia—’ Colette looked up and the rest of the words got lost in her throat. Standing in front of her was one of the most attractive men she’d ever seen.
He looked down at her with his arresting eyes and smiled brightly. Colette was lost for words. This part of the world seemed to have a never-ending supply of appealing males.
He chuckled. ‘Sorry, but I don’t know Anastasia.’
She felt her cheeks grow warm. ‘You don’t work here, do you?’ she realised, feeling stupid for not recognising the accent.
‘No, I’m afraid I don’t. I was just trying to pick out a gift for my mum when I overheard you talking and realised I wasn’t the only English-speaker in here.’
‘You’re on holiday here?’ she asked.
‘Yes, though not for much longer, sadly. Hence the gift-buying. I’m not keen on souvenirs.’
‘Me neither.’ Colette smiled. ‘I’m looking to pick up something unique for my friends, but everything here is so lovely it’s hard to decide.’
