Chapter Six
“WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEEthe dessert menu?” The waitress never took her eyes off Justin.
Which didn’t surprise Antonio. She’d been hitting on Justin all night.
What struck Antonio as odd was that Justin wasn’t flirting back. Instead, Justin’s gaze flicked to Antonio and then Emily. “I think I’m all right. How about you two?”
The waitress set a booklet in front of Justin, and leaned in until her chest brushed his shoulder. “Are you sure? We’ve got a vanilla torte with cherry filling, and a drizzle of cream sauce. Tart and sweet, to keep things interesting.”
“Sounds like the perfect dish to share.” Emily watched the waitress with a pleasant smile, her tone as sweet as could be.
Justin furrowed his brow. “She’s got a point. Sure. One of those.”
The waitress scowled, but erased it before she looked at Antonio. “For you?” she asked.
“Just coffee for me.” Antonio wasn’t sure if he was more confused or entertained by how Justin and Emily shut the woman down.
“If she asked about your tattoos next, would you have a pre-spun story to go with one?” Emily looked at Justin. Her tone was light and teasing.
The question pushed Antonio’scuriousbuttons. It wasn’t the first comment she’d made along those lines tonight. Saying something distinctly specific given she’d spent a total of maybe ten minutes in the conference room with Justin. An explanation as to how she knew so much tugged at the back of Antonio’s mind, but he couldn’t quite grasp it.
Justin shook his head. “Sometimes people don’t want elaborate tales. Those are best saved for someone who’s interested.”
Emily twirled her glass, ice rattling at the bottom, and looked at Antonio. “Where are you from? I hope it’s all right to ask that. Your accent is Italian? From what part?”
The question was innocent enough. Small talk. A nice shift of pace. “Milan. Have you ever been?”
“I haven’t.” Emily tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “But I’ve heard it’s lovely. Should I add it to my list?”
“Your list?”
Emily hesitated. “I’m taking a trip after this contract. Or hoping to. You know how some people backpack across Europe?”
“Or South America.” Which is what he and Justin did in their early twenties. It was how they met.
“Exactly.” She smiled. It was a gorgeous expression that brightened her face and shone in her eyes. “I want to do the adult version of that. As in, I’m-too-big-a-coward-to-do-it-without-a-safety-net. Should I add Milan to my list?”
“My answer will be biased. Never ask a native if you should visit their hometown. Ask someone who’s seen it through a tourist’s eyes.” Antonio was more fond of vacationing in Rio Di Janeiro, but for personal reasons.