Page 44 of Burning Caine
The sound system at the restaurant was sufficient to ensure everyone’s conversations were nothing but a dull murmur. However, he pulled his seat closer to mine and leaned in to whisper. “I’m working with the FBI on a smuggling ring case.”
I jerked my head back to see him clearly. “You are not!”
He waved me back in. “There’s a Ferraro family outside Rome with some level of involvement. I can’t say more.”
“What does that have to do with Antonio?”
“They’re Ferraros. They’re family.”
“Ridiculous. Do you have any idea how many Ferraros there are in Italy?” It should have been rhetorical, but I pulled out my phone and did a web search, flashing the results at him. “Over forty thousand! That’s not proof of anything. Don’t make leaps like that!” Especially when it involved my love life. Wait, not my love life. I didn’t date.
“Well, I didn’t like the way he looked at you.”
“You said that already.” I shoved his shoulder and he moved his seat back. “Now, can we get back to talking about you? I think I was saying something like…you’ll get over her, you’ll be fine, blah, blah.”
He sat back and smiled as we resumed our meal.
“I’d also say I could set you up with a friend of mine, but I don’t have any. I do have a co-worker—”
“I’m not ready yet. I should stick to dinner with you whenever I’m lonely.”
“As long as you’re paying.” I nudged his leg with my foot and he laughed.
We caught up on the last couple of years and had a great evening, although Antonio’s appearance hung over me. He was all I thought about on my way home, he and Nathan sizing each other up for a fight.
Why did Antonio have to come into my life? If I were in Brenton long-term, I would have said he was perfect. It was a game, though, some macho challenge because I kept turning him down. Maybe I should go out with him, sleep with him, and be done with him. The challenge would be over, and he’d leave me alone.
I sighed. No, more likely I’d fall for him, I’d get my heart broken, and I’d want to be on my way out of town the next day. But I had to stay in town for Cass. Eight more months. Maybe I’d call Antonio for one night of bliss after her reconstruction.
That was probably the stupidest idea I’d ever had.
Or maybe the smartest.
Chapter 17
Antonio
Twostepsthroughtheback door of the studio and Sofia was hollering at me.
“Antonio, where have you been? You were due back from lunch an hour ago.”
I shook my head and walked in silence to my worktable, placing the items I had brought with me to the side. The white box on top of the envelope.
Nathan Miller was Samantha’s friend, her ‘Um.’ She had been with someone else the week before, so there was no committed relationship. She was fair game. She said no flirting, but I could be thoughtful. Thoughtful was not flirting.
Although she would be moving away in the spring. I stared at the little stack. Perhaps I should throw them out. This was stupid. There was no future with her.
“I can smell you from here!” Sofia rounded the reception wall, and everyone had a good laugh.
“Too much?” I inhaled the delicious scent of vanilla and amber. “It’s wonderful.”
“Everyone here is in jeans and t-shirts, Antonio. You stand out like a sore thumb.” Her stilettos clicked as she stalked toward me to loosen the tie. “Exactly like Friday.”
“I look good, Sofia. It’s professional.” I smoothed the navy jacket and straightened the pocket square.
Gianfranco peered up from his work and chimed in. “You always look good, you jackass. But there’s no way you’re working in that outfit.”
Alice waved a hand in front of her face and joined the teasing. “The cologne is a bit strong.”