Page 82 of It's All Sun and Games

I wake up in bed, the soft morning light filtering through the sheer curtains, and the slightest breeze creeping in along with it. Andrea’s arms are wrapped around me, holding me close and, for a moment, everything feels perfect.

‘Hi,’ I say sleepily.

‘Good morning,’ Andrea replies. He kisses me on the head. ‘Did you sleep well?’

‘For a few hours,’ I point out, stifling a yawn. ‘Do you ever plan on letting me actually sleep?’

Andrea chuckles cheekily.

‘Do you really want me to?’ he asks.

I definitely don’t.

A knock on the door interrupts our conversation. I jump up, grabbing one of the robes before going to answer it.

As I open the door, I see Rick standing there. Oh, boy, I guess it’s time to face the music. The honeymoon is officially over.

Do I regret the choices I made yesterday? No. Absolutely not.

‘Robin, I’ve been trying to call you, why aren’t you answering your phone?’ he asks urgently.

‘Oh, sorry, I think I put my phone on “do not disturb” at the party,’ I reply. ‘Look, I’m sorry for taking off yesterday?—’

‘Save it,’ Rick insists, cutting me off.

‘Ciao, Rick,’ Andrea chimes in as he joins us, also wearing a robe.

Rick looks puzzled.

‘I thought you two broke up?’ Rick says.

‘What?’ I reply, caught off guard by his question.

‘James told me that you two had broken up,’ Rick clarifies. ‘He said your engagement was off.’

I scoff, trying to play it off.

‘Oh, yeah, right, in James’s dreams,’ I reply.

‘Yeah, I’ve noticed that too,’ Rick says thoughtfully. ‘Anyway, that’s not why I’m here. Beppe came to hear the pitches, and he hated James and Liz’s, but he seemed more into the gist of yours. However, when he realised you weren’t there, he said he didn’t want to hear it. Not interested at all.’

Shit.

‘Rick, I’m so sorry,’ I say as the guilt sets in. ‘I didn’t think he would totally dismiss you, just because I wasn’t there.’

‘So, obviously I told him where you were, that you had abandoned us – hoping for a little sympathy, and, as it turns out, the kind of person who would blow off a work meeting for a family birthday is exactly the kind of person he wants to work with,’ Rick continues. ‘He loved what he heard about your idea, and he seems to be a big fan of both of you, so… yeah. Congratulations, your idea was the best.’

My jaw drops in disbelief.

‘He loved my idea?’ I reply.

‘Of course he loved your idea,’ Andrea says, picking me up and spinning me around.

‘And you won’t know this – or you shouldn’t know this – but Beppe wants someone in-house to oversee everything. Loath as I am to let you go, how do you fancy living in Italy for a bit?’ Rick asks.

‘I would love to,’ I practically gasp.

‘Okay, but know this, I want you back,’ Rick says firmly. ‘Now, why don’t you take the day off to celebrate, but don’t forget that it’s my wedding day tomorrow.’

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