‘You weren’t listening, were you?’
‘Got a little distracted,’ I reply, being more candid than I should be.
‘By?’
I stare into her eyes, dropping my gaze to her mouth for the briefest moment, then lifting it again. A flurry of emotions flashes in her eyes, and she seems to settle on the same one as me.
‘Oh.’ Her lips curl slightly at the corners – not quite a smile, but something even more enticing, moreknowing.
‘Do we have plans after this?’ I ask, my voice low.
‘You mean with Cherie and Marcus?’ I nod. ‘Not yet.’
‘Don’t make any.’
She gasps, followed quickly by a gulp. ‘Okay,’ she whispers.
‘Come, come – we’re tasting now,’ Gennaro calls from the doorway, beckoning us with a vigorous wave.
‘Sorry!’ Delaney calls back.
She meets my eye again, flashes me a mischievous smile, then rushes to join the others in the next room. I take my time following, adjusting my trousers as surreptitiously as possible. It’s a good thing I wore my shirt untucked today.
21
DELANEY
I’m waiting in the gift shop with Cherie while Marcus and Nick line up to buy bottles of limoncello. We may already have some back at the suite, but Gennaro made a compelling argument that the best gift for family and friends is the best limoncello – his family’s.
‘Don’t buy that stuff at the airport – not for people you love,’ he said, making us laugh yet again. Nick’s right – we’re definitely giving Gennaro a cameo in his movie.
But none of this is foremost in my mind – I’m too focused on Nick, who’s laughing at something Marcus said, laugh lines framing his eyes. Hot.
‘Aren’t we two lucky gals?’ Cherie asks, leaning in close.
‘We are,’ I agree, playing along. Only, is it playing if there are genuine feelings involved? My gaze lowers to Nick’s biceps – with his arms crossed, they’re straining against the sleeves of his shirt. Also hot.
‘How long have you two been together?’ she asks.
I tear my eyes away from Nick, Cherie’s question intruding on my little lust fest. Her head tips to the side while she waits for me to answer. It’s shitty lying to such a sweet person, but what choice do I have?
‘Not long – but it’s nice to meet couples who’ve been together as long as you and Marcus,’ I say, shining the light back on them. ‘Andyou’ve still got that spark,’ I add, which makes her giggle.
‘Well, you gotta work at that, like everything else. Lord knows Marcus drives me crazy sometimes – and not in the fun way,’ she adds with a conspiratorial wink. ‘Although heisgoing strong in that department, if you get my meaning.’ She breaks into an infectious cackle, and I laugh along with her.
‘But the truth is,’ she says, her laughter fading, ‘if they’re your best friend, if they’re yourperson, you can ride out any storm. And there will be storms, Delaney – if I’ve learned anything, I’ve learned that. But when you’re with the right person, the good times will always outweigh the bad.’
‘I got a bottle each for the kids and one for your folks,’ says Marcus.
We’ve been so deep in conversation that he and Nick have snuck up on us. I glance at Nick, but it’s impossible to tell if he heard any of that. Not sure how he’d feel about me getting advice on our non-existent relationship.
‘Ooh,’ says Cherie, peeking into Marcus’ shopping bag. ‘But what about your mom?’ she asks, looking up at him.
He scoffs gently. ‘Come on, she’ll just stick it on the shelf, where it’ll collect dust, then we’ll end up throwing it out when she dies.’
‘Marcus!’
Cherietriesto keep a straight face – and it’s a valiant effort – but she can’t help herself and bursts out laughing.