“We won’t be wasting it, but we can’t go sightseeing. There’s too much that needs to get done while we’re here. I saw a lovely business center set up near the dining room downstairs. It should do just fine for our work.”
His head was shaking before I’d even finished the sentence, and he rolled off the bed and got to his feet while it was still shaking. “We’re going sightseeing. If you want to work along the way, we’ll work along the way, but we’re not spending all day inside. That would be crazy.”
I brought my fingers up and massaged my temples, closing my eyes. On the plane ride over here, I’d gotten more sleep than I had in months but I was already starting to feel exhausted again. “You agreed to buckle down, Parker. I’m not blind to where we are, and trust me, I want to get out there and explore as much as you do, but we don’t have time.”
When I opened my eyes again, his were just a touch darker than usual, cloudy with what seemed like concern. He blinked it away fast, though, flashing me a lopsided grin. “How about a compromise? We can go shopping for new clothes for me to wear during pitches and meetings. Italy is all about fashion and since you were so worried about my wardrobe, you’ll get to have a hand in it this way.”
“Okay,” I said slowly. “That could work, but where’s the catch?”
His gaze held mine, his chin high. Whatever he was about to propose, he wasn’t going to budge on it. “The catch is that we also go sightseeing while we’re out there. In case it needs to be said, sightseeing is non-negotiable.”
I bit back a sigh, but it wasn’t actually the worst idea in the world. His wardrobe really was a headache for me, and getting him to let me dress him despite his initial protests about being able to dress himself had been on my list anyway. Besides, I’d been honest when I’d said I wanted to explore as much as the next person.
Two birds, one stone.This plan worked for everyone—except the birds with the rock headed for their heads.Let’s just hope that spending all this extra time with him doesn’t turn me into one of those birds.
“Fine,” I agreed eventually, silently vowing that I wouldn’t allow myself to get any more caught up in him than I was already becoming.Ain’t no stone—or sexy businessman—bashing my head—or heart—in.
Parker smiled, and it was a smug but beautiful one. “Okay, then. Let’s go.”
He swept his hand toward the door and followed me out of our room and to the shuttles downstairs. We snagged one of the cars waiting to transport guests wherever they wanted to go, and a few minutes later, we were zooming toward the fashion district.
Excitement bubbled in my veins as I turned to face the window.I’m in Italy! In the world famous Verona! How cool is that?
Anyone who said that once you’d seen one city, you’d seen them all clearly hadn’t seen this one before. Everything was different here. Modern touches mixed in with the ancient architecture. The street signs and lights were quaint, but it was still very much a city.
Greenery peeked out on the distant mountains, interspersed with the iconic red and orange roofs. I’d never enjoyed shopping much, but as we stepped out on the cobblestone square near one of the high-end stores, I was nearly giddy about the prospect of shoppinghere. It was really no wonder the Italians were known for looking so darn good. If this was what it felt like to be going on a shopping spree at home, I’d also have spent much more time curating my wardrobe.
Okay, so I’d have needed more money, too. But it’s the thought that counts.
Parker nudged my side and grinned when I looked up at him. “See? It’s entirely possible to mix business with pleasure. This is going to be fun.”
I nodded, but I couldn’t get any words out in response.Because holy hell, Parker with his mirrored sunglasses over his eyes, the snug black T-shirt he had on under his jacket, and that grin?
My mouth was too dry to speak, so I pointed at the store our driver had suggested we start at instead. I chose a few suits for him and he agreed to try them on.
When he came out in suit after suit, all of them looking like they’d been made especially for him, I realized that my mouth was dry because all the moisture in my body had traveled to other parts of it.
Unfortunately for me, it wasn’t even just because he cleaned up so well. It was also because he’d taken it upon himself to turn trying on clothes into a cute and funny montage-like experience, striking poses and doing little jigs in each outfit before backing into the change room again.
Before I even knew what was happening, I was laughing and clapping, feeling like I’d left the stick even I knew was up my ass sometimes back home. And the weirdest thing of all was that I didn’t even miss it.
Oh boy. I wonder how many more of my rules are going to have gone out the window by the time we head back home. Probably a lot, but at this point in time, I didn’t feel like I would miss them, either. In fact, I had half a mind to toss them out myself and wish them luck as I waved them goodbye.