Page 4 of Saved by the CEO

The vintner’s bronze fingers wrapped around the handle. “This will do for now,” he replied.

“You do know that when I said ‘your highness,’ I meant it sarcastically, right?”

“Yes, but you wait on me all the same.” Nevertheless, Nico saluted his friend with the cup before taking a sip. “So,” he said after he swallowed, “you said something about a committee?”

“You were listening,” Rafe replied. “Yes, I want to create a committee for developing tourism.”

“Monte Calanetti already has a person in charge of tourism.” Nico explained. “Vincenzo Alberti.”

“Tell me you’re joking. Everyone knows Vincenzo did nothing and that the only reason we hosted the wedding was because your brother was in town to write the proposal. It could have just as easily gone to some place in Umbria.”

“True. Vincenzo is rather useless.”

“What I’m talking about is something independent and more grassroots. I’m certain if the local businesspeople put their heads together, we can come up with a host of ideas to increase tourism. Not to mention run them better.”

“I certainly won’t complain about increased business, especially during the dormant months,” Nico said. Leaning back, he hooked an arm over the back of his chair. “Who else do you have in mind besides the four of us? I assume it is the four of us, since we’re all sitting here.”

The two men began tossing names back and forth, some of whom Louisa recognized, some she didn’t. She wasn’t surprised when, as the conversation progressed, the dynamic between the friends shifted with Nico slowly taking the reins. That was something else Nico Amatucci did. No matter how commanding others might be—and Rafe certainly qualified as commanding—Nico was always the one in charge.

Her ex-husband had been the exact same way. Minus the rugged sensuality that is. Steven had been painstakingly glossy, his looks created from the pages of fashion magazines whereas Nico was more earthy. The kind of man who got his hands dirty from actually working with them, not from helping himself.

She remembered the roughness of Nico’s calloused hands as his thumbs had fanned her cheeks...

And how effortlessly he’d managed to dance her into a secluded corner without her realizing. In charge till the end, just like Steven.

“We need to make it clear to everyone involved that we don’t want to be too commercial,” she heard him say. “It’s one thing to increase tourism, it’s another to lose the very thing that makes Monte Calanetti special.”

Rafe agreed. “Absolutely. Ideally, we want events or attractions that highlight our traditions and Old World charm. That’s what the tourists want. Maybe there’s something we can do around the Madonna and Child painting in the chapel. Something historical.”

“I read the other day that Santo Majorca is building a spa around its underground springs. Too bad we can’t unearth a spring here.”

“Wouldn’t that be nice?”

“Ow!” Louisa jumped as pain shot up from her shin. Damn it, but Dani wore pointy shoes. That kick would leave a bruise.

The two men turned to look at her. “Everything all right?” Nico asked.

“Fine,” she said, rubbing her leg. Beneath her index finger she could feel a small divot. There was definitely going to be a bruise.

Across the table, her friend didn’t even have the decency to look apologetic. She was too busy gesturing with her eyebrows for Louisa to say something. Louisa replied with a shake of her head.

Why not? Dani mouthed.

Because of a zillion reasons. The concept was still too vague and unformed, for one. She wasn’t ready for people to start poking holes in her idea. Or take it over, she thought, sliding a look in Nico’s direction. She wasn’t sure she was ready period.

“Did I miss something?” Nico asked.

Of course he would say something. Those sharp brown eyes didn’t miss a thing, not that either she or Dani were being very subtle.

“Louisa’s been working on a terrific idea,” Dani said.

“Really?” He turned to face her. “What is it? If it’s something that will help, by all means tell us.”

“It’s still at the very beginning stages. I haven’t worked out all the details yet.”

“But the general idea is brilliant. She wants to turn the palazzo into a hotel.”

Some of Nico’s enthusiasm faded in favor of concern. “What kind of hotel? You’re not planning to alter the property, are you?”

“Nothing drastic, I assure you,” she said as she shot a narrow-eyed look in Dani’s direction. Why couldn’t she have found an unenthusiastic best friend? “I was thinking of something more like a high-end boutique hotel.”

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