Page 10 of Between the Lines

But Wishart was also at a loss for words, and that was fine by Luca—he had no desire to make small talk, either. “See you around,” he said, and strode out the door.

As it closed behind him, he heard Wishart growl, “I bloody well hope not.”

The feeling was decidedly mutual.

* * *

Theo perched on the edge of his bed, sleep-mussed and embarrassed by yet another awkward encounter with Luca Moretti.

How the hell was he supposed to know not to tip? Didn’t you always tip people who carried your luggage? He kicked grumpily at a suitcase, which wasn’t smart in bare feet, and flopped back on the bed. Staring at the ceiling, he called Miranda.

“Hey, boss,” she answered right away. “Your luggage arrive okay?”

“Just got here. Thanks for doing that.”

“Youshouldthank me!” Her voice sounded light over the phone, comforting. “Digging through your underwear drawer goes above and beyond, dude.”

He grimaced at the thought. “Sorry.”

“Nah, it’s fine. At least you don’t keep your porn stash in there.”

“I don’t have a porn stash.”

“Uh-huh,” Miranda said. “Guess you won’t need any with the delectable Luca hanging around the hotel. Have you seen him in his Speedo yet?”

“No.” A betraying flush heated his cheeks and he was glad Miranda wasn’t there to notice. Running his fingers through his hair, Theo turned his head to stare out the window where the sun was now high above the horizon. One advantage of his restless night’s sleep was being awake to watch the spectacular sunrise. “I did accidentally just punch him in the stomach while trying to tip him, though.”

“You tried totiphim?”

“I gathered it was wrong.”

A small hiss of breath came down the line. “His momownsthe place, Theo.”

“He’d carried all my bags up two flights of stairs!”

“Did you apologize?”

He thought back, uncertain. “Maybe?”

Miranda gave a soft groan. “Okay, never mind. What’s important now is showing Jude Brennan you understand the hotel and the way of life in New Milton. So, you know, you’ve got to get out there and embrace it.”

He nodded, let his arm flop down on the bed. “I was thinking of asking to see her running cost—”

“Nope.”

“Nope?”

“Theo—Look, I’m gonna be blunt: do not under any circumstances ask to see her accounts. Or, frankly, anything on a spreadsheet. Okay?”

“But...” He sat up and stared out over the ocean, glittering in the bright morning sun. “How else will I understand the place?”

A long pause, then, “I packed your swim shorts.”

“I don’t own—”

“You do now. I packed them, and what you need to do is get down to the beach. New Milton is all about the beach, Theo. It’s a surfing town. The ocean, the beach—it’s a way of life for these people, a philosophy even. And that’s what Jude needs you to understand.”

He stood up, paced anxiously to the window. “Miranda, I can’tsurf. Not in a million years. You know I can’t.”

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