Chapter Two
Niilo
How unexpected this big American man is. Handsome enough to have heads turning his way as he walked by, and humble enough not to notice. He stuttered through the most awkward introduction I’ve had in a long time, and blushed like a schoolboy when I touched his hand.
Oh yes, Roman is a lovely surprise.
Although it would be a crying shame to take him out of that suit, I can’t imagine the view underneath is a hardship on the eye. Roman looks a little like a Viking—all messy dark hair, scruff, and arms a man could sink his teeth into. He’s got chest hair, I just know he has.
I hate working weddings, but the universe is apparently kind to those who bartend. I smile at my Viking, catching him checking me out again and earning another pretty blush.
“Have you enjoyed much of the country?” I ask, gesturing toward the green hills of Tuscany, washed out by the golden light of sunset.
“I only flew in yesterday,” he admits sheepishly, as though he’s committed a punishable offense by not having already completed a full holiday itinerary.
“Only staying for the wedding?” I ask. “What a shame to only see Tuscany. To only see the villa.”
I gesture vaguely behind me. The villa and surrounding vineyard are stunning, but they are also intended to appeal to rich people who can afford a wedding that costs more than most people make in a year. It would be like only seeing Italy from the comfort of your couch and the television. Pretty, but some things are better with your feet on the ground.
“Oh, no. Actually, I’ve got a couple weeks here. Staying here tonight—well, notherehere, but in Tuscany—and then off from there.”
He gestures vaguely over the fence in front of us as though he’s going to hop over and start his adventure on foot. I grin around the mouth of my water bottle. This man is painfully charming.
“Off to…” I leave the end of that sentence for him to pick up.
“Not sure, to be honest.”
I laugh, and he looks proud.
“I am impressed! A holiday with no itinerary—that is rather brave of you,” I congratulate him.
“You say brave, I say stupid,” he replies, huffing out a deep sigh. “I’ve got a rental car, though, and I haven’t taken a vacation in four years. Before that, the last place I went was Chicago, so you can do the math there.”
I chuckle, happy to have found the one guest at the wedding who is handsomeanda good conversationalist. Not to mention, into men, if the way he’s been looking at me all night is any indication.
“Well, I think there is much to be said about letting the road lead the way,” I admit, staring out at the now rapidly darkening sky.
“Where would you go if you were me?” he asks. I turn to him, stepping a little closer and leaning my hip on the fencepost. Asmall breeze sends a waft of aftershave my direction, and I’m gratified to find he smells a little bit like a Viking, too. Earthy and manly, like a campfire in the woods; with skin briny after a day spent on the sea.
“Mm, well, how high up on your bucket list is the Tower of Pisa?”
“So low, it doesn’t even make the top hundred,” he replies shortly. I smile and he returns it, eyes crinkled with joy.
“Oh, I knew I liked you, Roman.” I tease out another blush with that one, which is lovelier each time I see it. “You’ll find people divided on Pisa, but I thought it was rather underwhelming. Just my opinion. Florence is worth a visit, as is Siena. Both are in the Tuscany region.”
“Florence is where theDavidis located, right? I do want to see that,” he admits sheepishly, as though I might give him a hard time for wanting to see tourist destinations.
“You should,” I agree. “It is impressive. Some tourist things are popular for a reason. Others”—I teeter my hand back and forth in a so-so motion—“are less worth the effort.”
“I do want to see Rome. And maybe Lake Como, but?—”
“—they are in opposite directions,” I finish, handing him the water bottle and watching his lips as he takes a sip. “If you wish to go south, there are many destinations worth your time, though. Amalfi, Puglia, Matera.”
“Pompeii,” Roman adds, perking up.
“Correct. Do you enjoy history?”
“I do. I’m a little bit of a hermit, to be honest. I work from home and don’t get out much, so I watch a lot of documentaries and Discovery Channel.”
