Page 72 of One Week Wingman

“How about next week?” she suggests. “That will give you time to pull together an amazing pitch to really wow him.”

“Hint taken,” I chuckle. “And of course, I’ll be there. Can’t wait.”

I hang up, pumped. It’s all coming together! I immediately dial Roxy and get her voicemail. “Call me back,” I say, grinning ear to ear. “I have great news.”

Then I lower the phone, realizing something. She was the first—and only—person I wanted to call and share the win.

I pause, feeling a flash of unease. I’ve never had a woman at the top of my speed-dial list before—at least, not for anything other than late-night hookups and sexy calls. But suddenly, Roxy is the only person I want to talk to.

Want to see.

We’ve been getting swept up in the fake relationship all week, we haven’t even begun to talk about what this fling might be. But is Charlie right?

Is this turning into something real?

18

ROXY

Mom decidesthat breakfast isn’t enough female bonding time, we also need to go get our nails done at the salon in town. There’s nothing I can do but go along with it, bracing myself for more lectures on my terrible life choices and disappointing (lack of) career.

But as we get settled into our salon chairs, filed, and buffed, Mom keeps the conversation light. Daisy’s wallpaper choices. Her neighbor’s troublesome Azaleas. Phil’s new zest for vintage cars.

“… He’s at the auto show every other weekend,” she reports merrily, wriggling her toes in the sudsy bowl. “I’m glad, to be honest. He’ll be retiring soon, and then he’ll need some good hobbies to keep him from going stir-crazy. You know how he likes a project.”

I begin to relax. “Remember when he sprained his ankle?” I say, sitting back in the chair. “He took up puzzling. The whole dining room was covered for weeks.”

“Those little puzzle pieces!” Mom groans. “I swear I still pick them out of the carpet, now. Does Stefano have any fun hobbies?” she segues like a pro.

I smile at her not-so-subtle topic change. “He’s really so busy with work,” I say, wracking my brains. “But he does love to cook. And travel. And funnily enough, he collects model trains,” I add, to spice things up.

“Really?” Mom looks surprised. “I guess he has hidden depths. And it’s much better that he’s down in the basement playing with his model whatsits than out on the town, catching all the ladies’ eyes.”

“Right,” I say, even though I know Sebastian wouldn’t be caught dead building a trainset when he could be breezing past the VIP line at the hottest new club.

Although… He seems to have really enjoyed the low-key vibe in Ashford Falls this week. And the Modesto vineyard isn’t exactly close to the nightlife scene.

Maybe Sebastian is growing up and changing his ways…

“Will he keep volunteering, do you think?” Mom asks, leaning over to pick a polish color.

“Uh… Probably,” I try to keep the lies straight. “He’s really passionate about it. Why?”

“No reason.” Mom pauses, getting a familiar look in her eyes. “I was just thinking, all that travel he does… It makes it hard to plan for the future.”

Uh oh.

“We’re not really thinking about that,” I say quickly. “We’re just enjoying each other, right now!”

“Still, you’re nearly thirty. You won’t want to be just dating forever. And Stefano doesn’t seem like the kind of guy to string you along. He’s fit into the family so easily,” she adds. “Don’t you think? It’s like he’s always been there.”

“He’s a charming guy,” I agree.

“And so warm too. A real good sense of humor. He’ll make a wonderful father.” Mom turns to the nail tech, tapping on a hot pink polish. “This one, I think!”

I gulp.Kids?

“It’s way too soon to talk about that!” I blurt.

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