Charlotte frowned. “Theoretically. Why?”
“Can you arrange it?”
“At the risk of sounding repetitive, why?”
He reached over and pressed a finger to her lips. “What about Dash? Can he spend the night with a friend?”
Her frown deepened. “It’s a school night. I wouldn’t usually allow that.”
“But could you arrange it?”
“You’re going to have to give me something to work with here.” Curiosity was eating her alive.
“Besides wanting to drag you back to bed and stay there all day and all night?”
Her heart rate accelerated into dangerous territory. “Yes, besides that,” she said, but her voice was throaty; she was pretty sure he wasn’t convinced by her attempt at sounding nonchalant.
“I have to go back to Italy today. I thought you might like to come with me.”
Charlotte almost dropped her coffee. “I’m sorry. Did you just say…”
“Italy. More specifically, to the factory in Milan. I thought you might like to come see it.”
“The factory where all the delicious chocolates are made?” She mocked a swoon. “Well, I’d love that, of course, but it’s impossible.”
“You just said theoretically you can make it happen.”
Her heart leaped into her throat. He was right. Shecouldmove the pieces of her life around to make this work. “It’s crazy,” she murmured, shaking her head. “I have responsibilities here. Commitments. I can’t just flit off to the continent because you’re asking me.”
“Why not?”
She drew a blank.
Sensing his advantage, Alessio reached across the table, weaving their fingers together. “Let us say this: you will see what strings you can pull to make it happen. If you are easily able to arrange a replacement at work, and someone to care for Dash, then we’ll leave here at lunchtime. If you cannot, then it’s okay. No big deal,” he shrugged his shoulders.
“But you’ll be gone tonight?” She asked, and then cringed at how obviously needy that question was.
“Yes.” He dipped his head in confirmation. “And I would much rather have you with me than not.” He stood, carrying his cup to the sink. “The decision is, of course, completely yours.”
Some decision!How could she say no? It was madness to go, but impossible not to. If their entire fling was predicated on Charlotte not wanting to live with regrets, then going to Italy with Alessio was only a furtherance of that original proposition. She’d always regret not taking him up on this offer. And so she should.
It took three phone calls: one to her closest mum friend, who she trusted implicitly with Dash, to arrange the sleepover. Another to her assistant chef to swap shifts, and finally, a call to Melody.
“I’m going to tell Winona that you’ve got something on, and that I’m spending tonight with you, okay?”
“Okay, fine, but where will you really be?”
“If I told you, you’d never believe me.”
“Try me.”
“I’m serious, Mel. It’s madness.”
“I like madness, and I definitely like the idea ofyouand madness. So? What? A festival? Bungee jumping? An orgy? What?”
Charlotte laughed. “Do you remember the guy, from the kitchen?”
“Carlotta? Hell, yeah. What about him?”