with “Fiera Internazionale del Tartufo Bianco d’Alba” in October. Or be strategic and take her to the “Fair of Sant’Orso, Aosta Valley” in January. I could make the whole deal a late Christmas gift. The town is in Northwest Italy in the Western Alps. She’d love the snow-capped peaks and ski resorts. I’d then take her home.
“Santi!” Carlos calls out to me as I’m about to pull away from the curb. Damn, the fucking devil always knows when to strike. He strolls over, tossing his keys up and catching them in his hand. “You still busy with the rich girl?”
“As a matter of fact, I’ll be busy with her for the rest of my life.”
Rolling his eyes, Carlos walks to his Caprice that’s parked behind me.
I rub the cement powder from my jaw and FaceTime her. “Bella, pack your bags . . .”
There’s a smile on Gina’s face, yet it doesn’t reach her eyes. So I settle in the seat, deciding not to leave yet. “What’s wrong?”
“I was kidding, Santino. For about five seconds, I was considering it, though. Sorry if I got your hopes up.”
“C’mon, I was just about to drive off. Let me put you on hold for a second. I’ll search for plane tickets. My treat.”
“No, I asked, Santi.”
“No, no. I got this. You good with riding coach?”
“Santino, I’m not that rotten.” Gina’s eyes sparkle with unshed tears, and she offers her first genuine grin. “Santa, although it’s been a while since I flew coach. Hmmm, if you promise we’re joining the mile-high club, you have a deal.”
Captivated by the sight of Gina’s gorgeous face, I guess I don’t answer fast enough.
Her plush lips pull down at the corners. “Hey, are you a member of that daggon club?”
“Haven’t joined the mile-high club.”
“Sure.” She rolls those pretty brown eyes.
“Don’t roll your eyes at me, Gina. I’ll snatch them out and keep them forever. But the honest answer is still no. I’m a poor man. I appreciate a good discount.”
“God, I really want to visit Italy with you right now and stay somewhere that’s not five stars. Doesn’t matter how much we spend, just as long as I see it through your eyes.”
“Let’s go tonight. I definitely can’t offer you five stars unless you count them while jumping my dick.”
“Santino!”
I shrug. “Gina, al povero mancano tante cose, all’avaro tutte.”
“The poor lack many. . .”
“It’s not a straightforward translation, Bella. The poor lack many things, but the greedy man lacks it all.”
She lets her head fall back, sighing.
“You want to tell me why you became so spontaneous for a split second, Gina?”
I wait a couple of beats, but she chews her lip, hardly shaking her head no. After I shared about my sister and Ma, I thought she’d open up more.
“Sorry, I got your hopes up, Santi.”
“Or did you let yourself down?”
More glitter seems to cloud her gaze. “Where are you?”
Gina brushes the back of her hand over her eyes. “At work still . . . I’ll be here all night, which is why Italy isn’t in the cards for me. Santa, I’m truly sorry for being a scrooge.”
“Never, Bella. I remember the address. Sit tight. I’ll let you know when I arrive.”
After sitting in traffic, I turn into a spot to park and pay. In jeans splotched with dirt after a hard day’s work and a white tee straining against my muscles, I move with a swagger. The glass doors of an even greater glass fortress of a building swoosh open. A guard watches me from afar, coming closer. I pull the blue bandana from my back pocket and rub the dirt off my fingers as best as I can.
He passes the secretary’s desk, asking, “Too late for messengers, sir. Most of the employees are already off.”
A secretary behind him glances me up and down. “There are a few managers upstairs, sir. I’ll help you out.”
I give her a little smile, but I don’t need that much assistance. “I’m looking for Gina Galloway.”
“Ms . . . Grinch . . . Galloway, ahem?” She seems to be choking on drool.
“Yes, ma’am, Gina Galloway.” Now, I’m smiling harder; can’t say my future wife’s name without smiling.
The secretary runs a hand across her flushed throat. “Okay, well, she’s here many evenings. I’ll check.”
“Thanks.”
Minutes later, I hear the click of heels on the marble floors calling out to me, the distinct sounds swell my cock like no other. I turn around and smile at Gina. I last licked every warm brown curve of