Page 36 of Labria

“Again, my apologies. I’m a total idiot. I thought I had a chance with you if I offered you money. I didn’t know you were, you know, educated. ”

“So basically you have a thing for prostitutes?” Either the pot was calling the kettle black or the Italian was calling himself a hoe. I mean, thinking women you don’t know are hookers is pretty telling.

“Ah no.” He grinned as he pushed back the hair that had fallen into his eyes. “To be honest, I have hired them when I was younger and not confident. I’m older now and I no longer do that.”

“Well, bravo to you.” I smarted because he had just disclosed he wanted to pay for me so clearly he was about to pay for sex.

“You have a lovely sense of humor. Are you really locked in with my new cousin?”

“Combination locked.” I confirmed.

“Is there a solid love connection with blondie?”

“Very solid, rock solid, thirty-two degrees Fahrenheit solid.”

“That sucks for me. He’s a very lucky man. I just hope he knows it.”

“Maybe you should ask him.”

“I can’t do that. He might try to kill me. He made clear that we should never look in your direction.” Zio said while staring at me like I was a bag of strawberry fruit snacks. This joker thinks he’s Joaquin Phoenix.

“That works for me.

“I never met a woman that looked like you that was so educated and graceful.”

“I never met a man that had no worries about flirting with a family member’s girlfriend.”

Zio exhaled. “I like Lordes. I respect him as underboss, but I barely know him. He became my cousin two minutes ago.”

“That’s a bit of an exaggeration.”

“Maybe a little.” He shrugged his broad shoulders. “Can you make me one promise?”

“Probably not, but let’s hear it.”

“No negative vibes but if Lordes screws up, can I be your rebound date?”

“What?”

“If he breaks up with or you leave him, I want to be the first person you call here in town.”

“So you’re putting in your audition tape for the role of rebound guy?”

“Yes, I am very qualified for the job and I’m serious about the role.”

“I can see that.” I giggled. The seriousness displayed on his face was quite funny.

“Please, call me first. I can keep a secret. Can I get that verbal agreement from you right now today?”

“Sure.”

“Can you say it out of your red lips?”

“Sure, I will can.”

“I’m waiting.” He took a sip of his wine and stared across the table at me.

“Calm your nerves, mister. Give me a minute to get my thoughts in order.”

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