Page 39 of Empire of Temptation

ROBERTO SAID LUCA’S SOLID BUT

FR … TEXT ME NOW

I texted them both back.

I’M OK. HUNGOVER BUT OK

Sam was no doubt busy at the café, so I didn’t expect a response. But three dots appeared immediately in my thread with Maggie.

JFC YOU SCARED ME

ARE YOU HOME

NO, I’M AT LUCA’S

OH SHIT

CALL ME WHEN YOU GET HOME

I WANT ALL THE TEA

There was no tea. Unless you count me making a total fool of myself.

I gave her a thumbs up then set my phone down. “I really should get going. Are my shoes by the front door?”

“Your shoes are being washed.” He began buttering a delicious-looking round pastry, which he set on my plate. “Mangia, Valentina.”

I had to admit, I was a sucker for a good pastry. I picked up the roll and took a bite. Tender and delicious, it tasted of vanilla and a hint of citrus. The top had a light dusting of sugar. “Is this brioche?” I asked through a bite.

He was frozen, gaze locked on my mouth. “Sì,” he said absently. “Brioche à tête.”

Did I have food on my face? I wiped my mouth with a napkin and tried to get us back on track. “Wait, why are my shoes being washed?”

“Because you vomited on them last night.”

The roll fell from my hand and landed on the plate with a thud.Oh, my god. Closing my eyes, I muttered, “I’m so sorry. I’m giving up wine, I swear.”

“Nonsense. Wine is one of life’s greatest pleasures. But you need to drink less of it at one time.”

I couldn’t look him in the eye. This elegant gorgeous man had watched me vomit last night. On my shoes. And I had no memory of it whatsoever. I sent up a prayer that the terrace would open up and swallow me whole. “Please tell me I didn’t puke in your house.”

“No, you vomited outside. As I was helping you out of the car.”

The way he said it caused my head to snap up. I studied him, but his handsome face gave nothing away.No, dear god. No. “If you tellme I puked on you, I will literally jump into that river and disappear.”

“Then I guess I won’t tell you.”

I propped my elbows on the table and dropped my head into my hands. Holy shit. How could I ever look at him again?I puked on him. It was mortifying.

He chuckled. “Do not look so ashamed, bella. Now youandGabriele have vomited on me. It’s an honor.”

Honor?

I scooted back and stood. “I really need to go. I have to get to the restaurant, but I need to shower first.”

He waved his hand. “I informed Roberto that you would not be in today. So, relax. Finish your breakfast.”

“No, I really . . .” I exhaled heavily. “Thank you for all of this, but I need to get home.” I reached for my phone. I’d order a car to come and pick me up.

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