Page 33 of Mr Billionaire Boss Grump

“Ah you speak Italian. Come ti chiami?”

“Excuse me?” She licks around the outside of the chocolate, strawberry cheesecake, and pistachio ice-cream mini mountain.

“What’s your name?” I ask again, in English, this time.

“Libby. I’m Libby. Hi,” she smiles with a three-color ice-cream grin.

“Piacere di conoscerti. Nice to meet you. I am Gianni.”

“Hi Gianni. And no. I don’t speak Italian.” Libby shakes her head, and we walk along the river road. “I would like to learn.”

“I can teach you.” I sit beside the angel Libby on a bench with a view of the river and hold my soccer ball using it to lean on. “We can start right now. I don’t have to be at soccer training until later.”

We spent the morning together until I had to go. She was so much fun. We walked along the river. I’m not even sure what we talked about. I just remember a warm glow surrounding us as if nothing else in the whole world mattered. We went to the Duomo and wandered around the streets of the old town.

“Sorry, Libby. I must go. I’m late already, but,” I look at my watch. How could time disappear so fast? “Can I see you tomorrow?”

“Yes. I’ll be on the bridge.”

“Okay!” I start running. I know I’m going to get in trouble with the coaches. “I’ll see you… on… the… bridge!” And I’m gone.

The following day, I was early at the spot on the bridge where I met Libby. We didn’t arrange a time so I assumed it would be a good idea to turn up at the same time. My heart leaps when I see her through the crowd. She’s wearing her scruffy jeans with holes in the knees and a cool Nirvana tour T-shirt. She’s holding her sketchbook. Her bag is slung over one shoulder. She smiles and waves to me as she comes through the flow of tourists.

“Buongiorno Libby,” I say trying not to let the fizz of excitement bubble out too fast. I lean into her and kiss her on both cheeks.

“Gianni. I thought maybe I wouldn’t see you.” Libby peers at me, untrusting, from behind her fringe.

“Why not? I said I would meet you today, so I am here. And here we are.”

“Oh. I don’t know,” she says laughing. “I thought Italian boys did this all the time. See a girl. Hang out. See another girl. Ditch the first girl. Something like that.”

“Well, I’m sad you have such a low opinion of Italians.” We walk a little bit down to the river toward Parco Giochi Santa Rosa. It’s only a few minutes by foot. “Would you be sad if I didn’t show up?”

“No.”

“No? Libby. You crush me.” And I grasp my T-shirt as if my heart has exploded. She laughs.

“Maybe a little bit.” We continue walking along the riverbank. I make sure we are close enough, so our arms touch. “It’s just that… I hardly know you.”

“We can fix that,” I tell her. “We can find out about each other for the rest of your time in Firenze. When do you go back?”

“Five days.”

“Well, for the next five days, we are going to have the best time.” She slips her hand into mine and it feels like the most natural thing in the world.

The memories come flooding back and I realize that the morning has flown by. I want to call Libby, but what would I say? I stand up and walk around the room. I sit down again. I pick up my phone and look at it. I begin dialing her number then stop.

I feel as if I am back on the bridge waiting for a girl I have just met, who looks like an angel. And I know she has stolen my heart. Again.

The laptop stays open, and I don’t tidy the paper that is littering the hotel room desk. I grab my phone, head out of the door, jump in a taxi, and dial Libby’s number. It rings.

Chapter 29

Olivia

MrsPeabodyhasgivenme a lot to think about. I’m just a bit overwhelmed by the huge opportunity she has mapped out for me. A solo show. An exhibition of my work is a dream come true, but self-doubt threatens to immobilize action.

Instead of picking up my paintbrush and focusing, I grab my bag. I need to move around. I’ll go for a walk then I’ll be better prepared to work. I want to be outside. I spend a lot of time indoors at my easel, so when I’m not working, I go for a walk, and I’ve even started running. Not far or fast, but the exercise generates energy and it’s grounding to pound the paving. I strap on my sneakers and grab my coat and scarf.

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