Page 35 of Two Chances With You

“Ah, certainly, I understand…” He looks at me and lifts one eyebrow. “Your own decision.”

“Yes, all mine.”

We ride along for a while in silence.

Then, after a bit, I get annoyed. “Anyway, I lied to you. I have a tattoo, a beautiful one, but I doubt you’ll ever get to see it.”

“Is it well hidden?”

“That depends on your point of view.”

“What do you mean?”

“Oh, you understood perfectly well.”

“Sure, but I don’t know howperfectly wellI understood, or maybe I should say,whereI understood.”

“It’s a small rose at the base of my spine, okay?”

“Better than okay. I love plucking flowers!”

“Then you should know that it’s covered with thorns.”

“You always have an answer on the tip of your tongue, don’t you? But my hands are covered with calluses.” He smiles back.

He has a nice smile. I can’t deny that. But I can’t tell him that either. He has a dimple on his left cheek. Oh, fuck it, I really like him. Plus, he’s completely different from Francesco. I don’t know why he should pop into my mind right now, of all times. Maybe because that whole thing with him cheating is still burning my butt. Francesco is the last boyfriend I’ve had. Actually, the only one.

Chapter 12

Acurve appears ahead that comes in handy. Practically ninety degrees and sharply to the right. I reach around and grab the steering wheel from the bottom and steer with all my strength to the right. Gin lurches against me, as if catapulted in my direction. I slam on the brakes, screeching to a halt with Gin in my arms, and I kiss her on the mouth.

“At last,” I mutter under my breath, and then I venture deeper into her mouth. “Ouch,” as she bites down hard. I lift my hand to my mouth and let go of her.

Gin goes back to her seat. “Is that all? I was hoping for something better.”

I run my fingers over my lips, looking for blood. None I can see.

Gin has assumed a defensive stance, both fists at the ready. “All right then, Stefano, or Step, or whatever the fuck you think your name is, are you ready to fight?”

I look at her with a smile. “You have some prompt reflexes, don’t you?”

She punches me hard in the shoulder, one punch after the other, a series of impacts all to the exact same spot.

“I’m sorry, Gin. I didn’t mean to do it. But it’s just that we’re here, okay?” I hop out of the car fast, before she gets a chance to start hitting me again. “Shut the door, if you don’t mind. Oh, hey, do whatever you want, after all, it’s your car, right?”

Gin slams the car door and catches up with me. She looks up at the sign.THE COLONEL.

“Truce, okay? Come on, let’s go eat a nice big steak.”

“Okay. For the truce, we can do that, but for the dinner…it’s on you, right?”

“That depends.”

“On what?”

“On how things go after dinner.”

“Here’s what happens after dinner: I’m going to drive you back to your motorcycle and then we’re done. Is that clear? Tell me so right away, otherwise I’m not eating so much as a crumb of the bruschetta. Of all things, trying to extort something for dinner. You make me sick!”

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