Page 29 of Count Down
“What’s your favorite right now.” I don’t feel like letting him off the hook that easily.
“Right now,” Luca looks me right in the eye. “A Mano.” The way he looks at me, he’s telling me the variable that makes this place his favorite isme.
Luca holds eye contact with me. My heart skips a beat then makes it up by beating twice as fast. I break eye contact with him to take a drink.
“How about you?” Luca asks. “Do you have a favorite Italian restaurant?”
“Enoteca Pinchiorri,” I say. Luca tilts his head questioningly. “It’s in Florence. You didn’t say it had to be in Philly,” I tease Luca.
“Fair enough. What makes it your favorite?”
“The food is incredible. It’s a whole experience itself. The chef there was the first woman to earn three Michelin stars.” I remember the restaurant fondly. My parents and I went to Italy one summer when I was 15. I’d love to go back. “Have you been to Florence?”
Luca turns his glass in his hands. “No. I’ve never been to Italy.”
“Really?!” I realize my shock might be too strong, and I try to tone it down. “I mean, why haven’t you been?”
Luca shrugs. “I guess I just never got around to it.”
“Where have you travelled?”
“I don’t.” Luca shrugs again.
“What do you mean? What about vacation or for work?” I can’t tell if he’s joking.
He just shrugs again and takes a sip from his glass.
“Why don’t you want to travel? I wish I could do it all the time.”
“I don’t know. I’m comfortable here. I never really think about leaving.”
“Don’t you wonder what’s out there?” I ask.
“I’ve read about it and heard about it. I’m comfortable here. This is my world.”
I have to ask the question that really comes to my mind. “Would you ever go on a vacation with me?”
Luca grins. “I’d think about it.”
Just then, the waiter shows up with our food. After he leaves, Luca changes the subject. “Your choreography showcase is coming up soon. How’s that going?”
I’m fine with changing the subject. I’m not sure how comfortable Luca was talking about traveling. And I’m glad he’s curious about my work.
“It’s coming along. We haven’t gotten to rehearse it in a few days, but we’re rehearsing every day this coming week.”
“Are you performing in it?”
“No, just directing and choreographing my piece.”
“Just.” Luca grins at me over his fork.
I return a smile to him. He recognizes what I’m doing takes a lot of work, skill, and dedication. It’s the complete opposite from Archie or my father.
“Who’s dancing in it?”
“All the choreographers are from the company, but the dancers are students in the school. It’s a really big deal for them. I was so excited when I got to be in it the summer before I joined the company. I think that’s when I started imagining trying to choreograph, too.”
“What’s it about?”