Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 83881 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 419(@200wpm)___ 336(@250wpm)___ 280(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83881 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 419(@200wpm)___ 336(@250wpm)___ 280(@300wpm)
“Ah, my little bee, I couldn’t have left you if I tried.”
“Why did Officer Rossi call you a prisoner?”
Brianna spoke before I could. “Oh.” She laughed lightly. “That was my doing. Dante said no to me, and I was shocked. He never says no. The officer was standing there, and I demanded he arrest Dante for such cheek. Told him to take him to jail.” She shrugged. “As I said, it was an inside joke.”
“I thought he referred to you as the prisoner.”
She waved off his words. “I think some things got lost in translation. Now tell me, Mr. Winters, are you married? Any children?”
He couldn’t lie to her, not with me sitting there. “Yes. To both.”
“Ah.”
Her one word said it all. He shouldn’t have sat at her table.
“What do you do for a living? Are you an art dealer as well, like my Dante?”
My Dante.
She was brilliant. She spoke to him as if he were a colleague of mine and highlighted the relationship she wanted him to think we had. Someone she had no personal interest in but, instead, a polite one. He didn’t like it, and he stood. “Perhaps another day, we can chat again. I must leave you now.” He nodded and walked away.
Brianna sighed and sat back. She pulled off her glasses and rubbed her eyes. “I did not invite him to sit at my table.”
“I surmised that.”
“You looked ready to murder him when you walked over here.”
I stood. “I need a coffee for this.”
“May I have a fresh one? I think he touched my cup.”
“I will dispose of it.”
I returned with two fresh lattes and pastries. We sipped the coffee, the sun warm.
“You bought very little. Simona said you left quickly.” I glanced at the few bags. “What else did you purchase?”
“A few toiletries. A pair of flip-flops.” She paused. “I saw you come out of the shop and head this way. You looked furious even then.”
I sat back, resting my arm along the back of my chair. “I thought you had run,” I said honestly.
She shook her head, looking outraged, and I regretted my first instinct of distrust. “What? How? Walk to Naples?”
“There is a bus every afternoon.”
“Good to know for when I do decide to make my escape,” she scoffed. “Why would you think that?”
“I thought perhaps you planned it.”
“Yes, because we both know I’m so good at planning things like escapes or evading kidnapping art dealers who like to drive me mental. Fricking frack, you annoy me.”
I had to chuckle. “Stinger down, Little Bee.”
“I said I wouldn’t run, and I won’t.”
“Okay. Got it. What have you been doing?”
“I’ve been wandering around, looking at things.”
“Why didn’t you buy more?”
“Everything is so expensive, Dante. I only bought a suit at her shop because I liked it. I’m sure I can find somewhere less expensive to buy a few items.”
“Were there other things you liked?”
She hesitated.
“Were there?” I pressed, already knowing the answer.
“Yes.”
“Finish your coffee.”
I piled the bags into the back of the car, ignoring Brianna’s protests. Both dresses she’d looked at and tried on, plus one I had liked, were hung in garment bags. Some casual clothes were in the bags in case she wanted to wear something other than her overalls, although I did like the convenience of the straps for yanking her close.
Better shoes than flip-flops were purchased. I opened an account for her at the kitchen store, and we got some items she needed that I wouldn’t have to have shipped, including a decorating set, pans, bowls, and other baking implements she requested.
She found a bicycle she loved—bright red with a basket, as per her request. It would be delivered tomorrow. She wasn’t overly happy with the helmet, but I lied and told her it was law here, so she accepted it. I didn’t want to think of her on the country roads without one. I also got her a reflective vest, which was law, although I had no plans on allowing her to ride after dark.
We ran into Officer Rossi a couple of times, and he smiled indulgently at us, taking in the way our hands were clasped and the smiles on our faces. It was good for him to see us together. It gave credence to our relationship and chased away any doubts. He did think she was a little crazy with the arresting thing, but it did no harm.
In the car, I glanced at Brianna. “You were very good with Winters.”
“He just sat down and started talking to me. Crowding me. I disliked him immediately. I could see the white line where his wedding ring should be. How slimy.”
“He is that.”
We were quiet for a moment. “You have a talent.”
“Decorating cakes, I know.”
“No, another one. You defused the situation with Rossi. Told off Winters without insulting him. You are amazing.”