Page 72 of Stuart Woods' Golden Hour

“Not sure I’ll hold out that long,” Mark said, “but I’m definitely done eating for today.”

Tessa’s phone buzzed with a text. “Peter, Hattie, Adriene, and Stacy are in the bar. Do you want to join them?”

“A drink I can do,” Mark said.

“Me, too,” Lizzie said.

They entered the hotel and took the elevator up to the rooftop bar.

Peter spotted them as they entered and waved them to their table overlooking the canal. A waiter appeared as soon as they sat and took their drink orders.

Once he left, Adriene asked, “How was the shoot?”

“Forget about the shoot,” Hattie said. “I want to know about the food.”

Tessa and Mark traded off describing their day. Tessa was in the middle of recounting the tiramisu they’d had at Pasticceria Tonolo when a familiar figure walked up to their table.

“MyStorm’s Eyefriends!” Bianca Barone said, beaming. “So good to see you again.”

“Bianca, what a surprise,” Tessa said. “I didn’t know you were coming to Venice.”

“I had a few days free, and Billy mentioned you’d be here. So, I thought, why not see you all again before you leave my wonderful country.” She looked around. “Is Billy not with you?”

“Visiting with friends, I think. Not sure when he’s due back.”

Bianca looked at Stacy. “You are his assistant, yes? I’m sorry, I don’t remember your name.”

“Stacy. And I am.” Stacy looked as if she’d been hoping not to be pulled into the conversation.

“Ah, yes, Stacy. Do you know when he’ll be back?”

Stacy tried very hard not to look at Mark as she said, “Sorry, he didn’t say. Late, I think.”

“I’m sure he will come back if he knows I’m here. Can you contact him?”

“Sure. I’ll, um, I’ll send him a message.” She pulled out her phone and began composing a text.

“Are you here alone?” Peter asked Bianca.

“I am.”

“Then, please, join us.” He retrieved a chair for her from an empty table. “Mark, can you move over a bit?”

Mark glanced at him, and Peter gave him a wink that Bianca couldn’t see.

“Of course,” Mark said, then created room.

As Bianca sat, she took her first good look at Mark. “You are Mark Weldon.”

“So I’ve been told.”

“We missed you in Rome. Fortunately, I had the opportunity to watch several clips from your new movie. You areverytalented.” She smiled coyly and pressed her arm against his for a moment.

“Thank you.”

“I am so sorry,” she said. “I should have introduced myself.”

“No need. I’ve seen several of your films.”

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