“Okay. But, casual … slow.”
Luca’s answering smile nearly knocked me over with its brilliance.
“Wonderful. So, tell me, what’s your dream vacation destination?”
“Oh, they’ve moved on from that question. I think she’s blown the whistle twice,” I told him.
“That’s okay. Tell me, I’m curious.”
“Um, I guess Bali. I went there once when I was younger and loved it. I always said I’d go back but haven’t made it yet.”
“Bali is a beautiful destination. Good choice.”
“What about you?” I asked him.
“Anywhere with you,” Luca replied smoothly.
“Nice one, Mr. Russo.”
Twelve
Luca
After a fun, but way too short interlude at the True Love event, I’d convinced Whitney to meet me for brunch.
I’d agreed to meet her at the restaurant and to a low-key, casual approach to dating. I figured brunch was the perfect venue for that. It was daytime, there was booze available, and the popular spot would be teaming with people getting their brunch on.
It must have fit her idea of a date she was comfortable with, because she’d agreed … for the next day, no less.
I was feeling good. Confident. Yes, Whitney had put up roadblocks at every turn so far, but I could tell she was warming to the idea of seeing me a little more each time we interacted. I was sure after a few dates she’d no longer be immune to my charms and I could convince her we’d be great together.
Some may call me cocky, but I was simply the kind of person who knew what I wanted and went after it with a single-minded purpose. And I wanted Whitney Spaulding.
“Good morning, Mr. Russo,” the hostess greeted when I entered the restaurant.
“Good morning. I have a reservation for two by the window,” I informed her. I came here often with clients, so they knew me well and always made sure I was taken care of.
“Right this way,” she said, picking up two menus and leading me to the back by the windows.
Twenty-five stories high and overlooking the city, the view was spectacular.
“I’m waiting for a Ms. Whitney Spaulding,” I informed her once I was seated, and she placed the menus on the table.
“Yes, sir, I’ll send her right back.”
I took out my phone and started going through emails as I waited. I’d come early because I didn’t want her to end up waiting for me and, to be honest, I was excited about the date and couldn’t stay home pacing my living room any longer.
After a few minutes, I felt a presence at the table and looked up to see Whitney sliding into the seat across from me.
She looked beautiful in a baby-blue pantsuit with an eyelet top. Her face was flushed as she glanced at me shyly through her lashes. I was completely smitten.
“Hi, how are you? I hope I didn’t keep you waiting. I had a heck of a time finding parking.”
“You’re right on time,” I assured her, ignoring the way my hands itched to reach out and touch.
I waited until she was settled, and our drink orders were in before jumping in to get the conversation going.
“So, I know a little about your ex-husband, what about your kids … you said they’re both in high school. That must be challenging at times.”
Whitney’s lips turned up at the mention of her children.
“Oh, it can be. Stella is sixteen and Silas is fourteen. They are both pretty active with school and Stella has a job. Luckily, she has a license and can drive herself, and occasionally her brother, when I need her to. They’re good kids, but the divorce was an adjustment for them.”
“I’m sure it was. I can’t imagine how my siblings and I would have reacted if our parents had split.”
“How many siblings do you have?” she asked.
“Two. Giovanni and Charlotte. Vanni is married to Sara and they have two boys and Charlotte is married to Nigel. They just had a baby. I’m the youngest.”
“Are you all close?”
“Yes, very. My mom hosts Sunday dinners every week and we all try to make it. Well, they all usually do make it, but sometimes I get bogged down with work. Drives my ma nuts. She loves to have us all together under her roof. And to feed us. She loves to feed us. Otherwise she doesn’t think we’re eating the way we should,” I said with a chuckle.
“That sounds lovely. So, I know your father owns the company, is your whole family in the business?”
I paused when the server came to take our order, then once he was done I replied, “We all started out that way. Dad had us start working when we were sixteen, at the lowest level. After college, Vanni found his passion was in teaching, not accounting, and Charlotte met her husband and got married. She makes things and sells them on Etsy.” I shrugged and picked up my bloody Mary. “It didn’t stick for either of them, much to my father’s dismay, so now it’s up to me to carry on his legacy and hopefully one of my kids will want to follow in my footsteps.”
“Well, they’ll be really lucky. Your father has built a great company.”
“Thanks. I always thought my brother and sister were crazy for not wanting to be a part of it, but it did bring my father and I closer together. I was admittedly mostly a mama’s boy all my life, but the last few years have helped me get to know my dad better, too.”
“That’s really nice. I was never super close with my parents. I went away to college and pretty much got married right away and we moved here. My parents are back in the Midwest, so I don’t see them very often. I always thought it was too bad my kids didn’t get to grow up with extended family. You’re lucky to get to have the relationship with yours that you do.”
“Yes, I am,” I agreed. “I couldn’t even imagine my mother’s reaction if one of us tried to move outside of the city, let alone to a different state. I honestly don’t think she’d allow it. She’d stage protests and bribe moving companies.”
I laughed because I could picture my ma sitting outside the front door and refusing to let any of us leave.
“Your mom sounds like a lot of fun,” Whitney said with an easy smile.
“She’s amazing. I’ll have to have you come with me to dinner one night. Her sauce is to die for. Seriously, you’ll never be able to stomach sauce from anywhere else after tasting hers.”
When Whitney’s eyes widened at my suggestion, I glossed over it by asking about her favorite types of food.
Too soon for talks of meeting my mother. Got it…
The date went smoothly. Better than I expected. The food was delicious, the conversation easy, and when Whitney said she had to go, I was surprised to see we’d been sitting there for two hours. I would have happily stayed there all day.
Once I paid, we left together and found ourselves alone in the elevator.
“I had a really lovely time. Thank you for inviting me,” Whitney said, her gaze soft on me.
Now, I prided myself on being a man of restraint, but I was riding high over our successful date, and that look in her eyes had my mouth watering for something other than the eggs benedict I’d consumed.
I moved toward her, slow enough so she could interpret my meaning. When Whitney watched and waited but didn’t move away or tell me to stop, I put my hands on her waist and lowered my lips to hers.