Page 66 of Tailored for You

Instead, I was on a boat in cutoff jeans, a faded grey tank top, hair that desperately needed washing, and fresh work sweat.

I couldn’t focus on any of that. Instead, I closed my eyes and reminded myself to live in the moment. How many women got to say they went on a date with their crush? One who liked me in the same way I liked him.

We went out into the ocean. With every bounce of the small boat, my stomach flipped—from the waves or from him, I wasn’t sure. My hair pulled out of my ponytail, flying behind me in the wind.

Where were we going? After a few minutes at high speed, Enzo slowed down the boat, allowing it to glide to a stop next to the biggest boat I’d ever seen.

“Whoa,” I whispered.

A massive, shiny black boat floated in the middle of the ocean. The closer we got, the more details came into focus.

It wasn’t a boat, but a yacht. Sleek, polished, gold accents reflected from the sun, giving it a luxurious glow.

Enzo slowed the tiny skip boat and guided us around to the back.

A man in a formal black-and-white suit came to the landing, caught the rope Enzo threw to him, and wrapped it around a loop.

“Come.” Enzo held out a hand and helped me out.

He grabbed my hand, placing one foot on the small platform attached to the boat, and kept the other on the slip we had arrived at. He helped me onto the platform and joined me.

My legs shook as I tried to find a way to stand on the yacht.

The boat rocked hard. I threw my hands out, trying to keep my balance and not fall into the ocean and embarrass myself.

Enzo grabbed my waist and hauled me off the small landing and onto the boat in one swift move, so fast it took me a moment to realize what had happened.

Another man dressed in an identical suit to the first stood in the center of the floor and bowed. “Welcome to Omerta,” he said with a thick Italian accent.

“It means code of silence,” Enzo whispered in my ear, so close his lips brushed the sensitive skin below my ear. Tingles ran down my spine.

I started to examine the area, trying to find something to distract myself with other than how Enzo was still holding me. If I didn’t, I was going to focus too hard and say something stupid.

White leather couches lined the outer perimeter; light wood accented the area. Further to the back was a fully stocked bar with another man behind it.

“This is yours?” I asked, spinning on my heels to get a better view. There was more to the boat than I could see from where I stood, but it was big.

“Yes. I had it custom-made about two years ago.” Enzo tugged my hand. “Come. We still have plenty of daylight to enjoy the boat before we need to get ready for dinner.”

I swiped my sweaty palms on my jeans. Maybe if I could sneak off to the bathroom, I could try to look presentable. Like I belonged on this yacht with a man in a suit that cost thousands.

His hand cupped my face. Gazing down at me, a tiny smile transformed his face.

“Thank you for going with this.” He bent down, pressing his lips softly against mine. He brushed the tip of his nose against mine. “Sei la donna più bella del mondo.”

Butterflies took flight in my stomach.

“The only word I understood was bella,” I joked.

“I’ll teach you,” he said, pulling away. “Sí. There she is.” Enzo turned me to face the inside of the boat.

A woman, tall and elegant, with long hair pulled back into a ponytail, appeared from somewhere off to the side, holding a small platter with two champagne glasses.

“Welcome, Mr. and Mrs. Lombardi,” she said with a smile.

I opened my mouth to correct her. As nice as the title sounded, I didn’t want to cast any illusions or dream too big.

“Thank you. Is everything set up?” he asked.