Me: Great night. Feeling better.
Me: Let’s meet soon.
Me: I have some things I need to talk to you about.
Me: Got to get back to work, but maybe tonight?
I don’t put any x’s at the end of my message, and I hope that he can tell by my tone that I’m not trying to flirt with him. My head is throbbing, and it’s going to be hard to concentrate. As I attach my phone to the charger, it starts ringing with Charles’s name on the screen.
“Hey, aren’t you supposed to be on a plane, or is it one of those fancy kinds you can make a call from?”
“Supposed to be is the operative phrase. I need you to get yourself to the hangar address I just texted you. You are coming to Italy with me.”
“Wait. What? What do you mean I need to get to the hangar? I thought you had this all under control?”
“Had. Ihadit under control until Holly arrived and puked all over me.”
"What?" I hold back a laugh, but barely. He sounds so mad, yet the idea of him covered in goo is too good not to laugh.
"Hardy har. Laugh it up. Holly has a sickness bug or food poisoning. Pax is getting her picked up and checked out. But we already have the plane and hotels booked at the three locations. Now, are you meeting me at the hangar, or do I need to ring Shelby for a free trip to Italy?"
“All right. All right. I’ll get to the airport, but I need to go home and pack.”
“There are shops in Italy. Just get here. We don’t have all day to hold the plane.”
Forty minutes later, I pull myself out of the taxi with my computer bag and now-overstuffed purse after raiding the market across the street from the office. I’m not traveling anywhere without a toothbrush and my preferred toothpaste.
And deodorant.
“About bloody time.” Charles gives me one of his smirks, letting me know he’s teasing.
“I’m only brilliant with marketing plans. Last-minute travel has never been my go-to. You are lucky I have a current passport and carry it with me.”
Bending down, he gives me a soft kiss on the cheek. “I shouldn’t say it, but I’m very glad Holly got poorly. Now I have you all to myself in Italy.”
“Hey, we’re supposed to be working. We have a lot to accomplish in a week. Milan, Venice, and Rome are all going to take time to navigate to and around.”
“Knowing Shelby, she has that all worked out to within a five-minute window. But the nights are for relaxing,” he almost coos to me as we board the plane. “Now, how do you feel about the mile-high club?”
“I don’t fly well. I’m sleeping on the plane, and you shouldn’t even think of touching me. It may be the second time someone retches on you in one day.”
“Fine. I’d rather not change clothes again, thank you very much. I have some calls to make and work to do on another client opportunity. You rest, and we’ll be there before you know it.”
29
Charles
We arrivein Milan and head straight for the hotel. Once settled in my room, I allow my lips to part into a smile.
As always, Shelby did an amazing job in picking out the hotel.
The location is sublime. It’s right off the piazza, facing Il Duomo. It will be perfect for what we have in mind for the shoot.
Milan is the focal point of the Diosa luxury segment. Lake Como and Rome for the athletic line and Venice for Icon’s consumers.
Raven’s insight is refreshing. She created a sharp look to tie the three brands together, yet each still has a distinct feel.
Pride swells inside me at the hard work she’s done, pride and another feeling I don’t want.