Page 9 of Hello Goodbye Amore

He still couldn’t believe Antonello hadn’t been able to see how much Ricky looked like the kid version of him, down to the eyes, that damned grin that always managed to get around Chase’s defenses, and the same jet-black hair that was always determined to do what it wanted. Though as Chase thought about it, Rodrigo had some of those same qualities, and it was possible he was seeing things that weren’t there. He shook hishead to stop the thoughts from whirling him into a migraine. Whether Rodrigo or Antonello was Ricky’s biological father didn’t matter. He was only here for a few months, and then he and Ricky would return home to their real lives. And all he had to do to avoid any of those questions was keep Antonello and Ricky apart, which should be easy as long as he could keep his and Antonello’s dealings on a work basis only.

Chase arrived at the Glorioso offices just outside the historic center a few minutes after eight. He hadn’t quite known what to expect, but a young woman at the front desk was ready for him. She phoned, and Antonello came down to get him and escorted Chase up to the third floor.

“This building was constructed in the late 1600s, and while the inside has been renovated, it’s a bit haphazard yet because it’s still historic.” He pushed open the door to a small room that had Chase looking upward to molded ceilings with a mural depicting what seemed like motherhood in the center.

“Is this where all the businesses are managed?”

“It is now,” Antonello said as he motioned Chase to a wooden desk with a phone. “My father maintains his office in the traditional center of business, where it’s been for centuries. This building came up for sale at the same time we were expanding, so he purchased it and set about renovating what was beyond repair and restoring what was worth saving. This small space will be your office, and that door leads to mine. In the original home, this was the nursery.”

“Jesus,” Chase muttered.

“This home was built by one of my ancestors, so Father was more than a little pleased to have it back in the family.” He stood by the door, and Chase wondered what else there was to say. He stayed there until Chase turned, trying not to admire him, which was hard because Antonello had always been stunning, and the man had only improved with time.

“Is there something you needed?” Chase asked, reminding himself to be professional and keep at bay all thoughts of what Antonello might look like without that shirt, no matter what his open collar hinted at. “I thought that if you have time, we could review the specifications this morning and make sure what you have is exactly what we need.”

“I have you in at half past nine. I will bring what we are working from.” He hesitated before pulling open the door that connected the two offices and going into his own.

Chase shook his head slightly before sitting down and pulling out his laptop. He connected to the internet using the codes that were on the desk and tried to get his mind on the tasks at hand. He was hoping to head off Dewey’s annoying questions, so he composed an email of his plans and goals for the week, along with the schedule he anticipated, and sent that to him so it would be there, waiting, when he got into the office. Then he set about preparing for his meeting.

“WHAT ISthis?” Chase asked, looking over the papers Antonello had brought with him.

“The exact chemical makeup of the alloy. It matches this portion of the specifications, and we converted it to this exact alloy, which is what you said you wanted. We will then take that and process it into the part. It’s going to be more resilient and last longer if we cast the general shape and then mill the part to the exact specs. Any deficiencies that might creep into the casting will show up in the milling. If it can withstand the exacting process, it will more than meet your specs, and it isn’t going to add to the cost. It’s all done by machine, and the end product is tested before packaging and shipping.”

Chase nodded, seeing the benefit of what Antonello was explaining. He compared it to the base specs supplied andprepared to send the information to Dave for his review and approval. “How long will it take to begin production?”

“As soon as we get signoff on the designs, we’ll begin preparations and then set up the process. That usually takes about two to three weeks. We’ll do some test runs and check them out thoroughly before delivering the first prototypes to you for verification and your testing. After that, it’s up to your testing staff, as well as regulatory approval. Once you give the word, we’ll ramp up to initial production levels, which will take a few months. Part of how we’ll keep costs down is a steady stream of smaller deliveries rather than a huge run with a large single delivery. You’ll need to specify the number of units and when they’ll be needed.” He made it sound so simple, but Chase knew that there were a million and one things that could go wrong; there always were.

“All right. I need to get all this written up and over to the team in the States for their review. My boss is going to need to sign off, and that could take a few days.” And a lot of work on his part making and highlighting the updates to the process specified and making sure it was in language Dewey could understand.

“Very good.” Antonello leaned back in the chair behind his desk. “I expected there would be some time needed. If you like, go ahead and make your updates. If you want me to review them, I’ll be happy to, just to ensure there is no miscommunication.”

“All right.” Chase wanted to get out of the office and back to his own. Antonello’s citrusy cologne mixed with his natural scent was driving Chase crazy and making it difficult for him to concentrate. Once again he reminded himself that any sort of attraction to Antonello came with pitfalls that he had to avoid. “It will take some time for me to get everything together.” He hurried out of Antonello’s office and sat at his temporary desk just to clear his head.

“ANTONELLO,” HEsaid, bringing his laptop to the next office. Another man sat on the corner of Antonello’s desk, looking like he was making himself cozy. Chase cleared his throat, and they both looked at him.

“You must be the American. I am Paolo. It’s nice for you to meet me.”

Antonello groaned. “You’re supposed to say it’s nice to meet you.”

“I’m sorry. My English, it slides sometimes,” Paolo said with an almost seductive smile and sparkling eyes, and Chase wondered if they were for him or for Antonello. “I am glad to meet you.” He turned to Antonello. “Right?”

“You speak better English than that, so stop trying to be endearing. It won’t work.” Antonello stood. “Paolo is a friend.”

“I see.” Okay, so part of him wanted to gouge Paolo’s eyes out. Not that he had a right to that kind of reaction, and it went against the whole being professional thing, but still. Chase could see this guy was a player from a mile—and a language barrier—away. He was not going to push for a further definition of what “friend” meant. Though the guy was sitting on Antonello’s desk, making himself very much at home.

“What did you want?” Antonello asked Paolo. “Some of us have work to do, and you draping yourself over my desk isn’t helping. Go find yourself someone to occupy you for a few hours.”

Paolo put his hands over his heart. “Your arrows wound me.” So he was a drama queen to boot. “I came to see if you wanted to go out tonight. There’s a big celebration across the Arno, and it’s summer. We can pick on all the lovely girls who are… warm?”

Chase wondered if this guy was for real, and it was even more amusing that he was likely straight. “Do women really respond to that kind of routine?” If they did, Chase felt sorryfor them. The women he knew were more interested in a guy who was sincere as opposed to acting like some sort of idiom-flubbing clown.

“Hey. I’m cute… no?” He put his hands in the air like his looks made up for everything. “And the women like me.” He paused. “Him,” he said, looking to Antonello, “I’m not so sure. It’s been a long time since he went out and had fun. You work too much and spend all your time with business.” In Chase’s experience, women had always liked Antonello, and in college there had been plenty of admirers, as well as himself. Not that anything had come of it, even if the two of them had flirted pretty hard more than once. Chase was fairly sure that Antonello was at least bisexual, but he wasn’t about to share those suspicions. That was Antonello’s business and not his to share.

Antonello switched to Italian, and the two of them had a quick but heated-sounding discussion. Chase wondered if he should return to his office, but Antonello switched back to English. “You go and have fun. I have a commitment already.”

Paolo slipped off Antonello’s desk with a dramatic sigh. “You are going to end up a male old maid if you are not careful. And I bet I said that right.” Chase couldn’t help smiling and flashing a thumbs-up. Paolo laughed as he strode out of the office. “Ciao.” Chase wouldn’t be surprised if he stopped at every desk along the way to talk to each of the ladies as he passed by.

“He and I have been friends since we were children. My father and his father are… like brothers.” Antonello sat back down. “There was something you wanted?”

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