Page 80 of His Two Hidden Masks

“It sounds so dreamy,” Shea said. “Lagos, Portugal and cocoa beans. You know, it sounds better than Maui. Maui. Maui. You say a word enough times and it just gets super weird. Maui. Maui.”

“The truth is, I have never made it to your fine country,” I said, embarrassed by my admission.

“Oh, you would love the Pacific Ocean,” Odessa said. “And some day, you will see it.”

“I would love that,” I said, feeling wistful.

“Isn’t it funny how things that are different seem so exotic right from the get-go?” Shea said. “Here I am, feeling so small town since I’ve never been to the Mediterranean, and you’ve never been to our oceans.”

She sighed. “I think it’s all so beautiful. And what’s important is when you have the chance, you grab that ring. You bite that apple.”

“Listen to you,” I said, laughing. “I can tell you are a great personal trainer. I would follow you anywhere.”

“Oh, you should,” Shea said. “You should come visit us, Bella.”

“I’ll drink to that,” Odessa said, raising a glass to me.

“You two are so kind.” I wondered what it would be like to get on a plane and disappear across the ocean. “I am sure you are both very busy.”

“Nonsense,” Shea said. “You could come after Carnival, or the spring? You, too, Leo. We always have loads of room.”

“I love the states,” Leo said. “I love all of them.”

“You should think about it,” Odessa said, dotting the corner of her lips with a napkin. “We will host you both.”

“Before we make travel plans, we have dessert,” Leo said. He reached into a bag at his feet and placed two of my Bella Baci candy boxes on the table.

“Leo,” I gasped, shocked to see the new design. The two masks of Carnival were overlaid across a map of Venice. It was a jewel-toned masterpiece. “When did you get these boxes printed?”

“I picked them up today. I wanted to surprise you.” He pushed the boxes toward our guests. “Ladies, have a Bella Baci, a beautiful kiss from Venice.”

Odessa’s eyes lit up, her manicured fingers dancing above the lids. “I’d love one.”

Shea opened up a box and inhaled the chocolate, popping a caramel in her mouth. “My God,” she said, chewing. “You know, you could sell these. In fact, I would buy, like, four boxes, five. So delicious and beautiful.”

“Thank you,” I said.

“And sold,” Leo said, “along with one spectacular chandelier from the Lido Glass Factory, of course. Bella and I will book tickets to hand-deliver your purchases. Now which of you gorgeous creatures is ready to go dancing.”

Shea clapped her hands. “I want to dance, really dance. Yes, please, can we?”

“Of course,” Leo said. “This is Carnival and you are in Venice.”

“That sounds amazing,” Odessa said.

I wasn’t ready for the night to end either, and it had been at least thirty minutes since I’d obsessed on Dylan. This night was proving to be a solid distraction.

Leo stood up. “Chop-chop. Bundle up. It’s a bit of a walk, but the music is fantastic and I promise you the dancing is worth it.”

We walked across the piazza toward San Marco Square heading toward the train station and a series of nightclubs and bars. Crowds of costumed tourists swarmed the streets.

Leo led the way, one arm linked with Odessa and the other with Shea. I walked behind them, enjoying the warmth of the Prosecco and the easy feeling of being out with new friends.

Carnival-themed dance clubs showed up once a year in Venice. Like mythical creatures, they appeared in the middle of the night outside the old city limits.

The number and themes of the clubs changed every season, but once established, they became places for Carnival celebrants to don masks, drink, dance, and fall in love or lust for a few hours.

“Normally, Bella and I would take you to Tanti or Vida,” Leo said as we crossed over the Grand Canal. “I promise you, this time of year, Eros is the only place to be.”

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