Page 7 of Giorgio

“What the hell is wrong with that?”

“I am the complete opposite, remember?” She retorted wryly. They had stopped at a diner so he could buy them lunch. “I am messy and disorganized and will never make any apologies for being who I am.

And I have some laundry to do. It has been piling up for weeks now and I am fresh out of underwear. Then there is the packing to do, which I positively hate. The place is a mess...”

“Don’t worry about the general cleaning up. I will get a service to go in and do it.”

She had stared at him for a moment, before clasping his hand between hers. “Have I told you how much I love you?”

“Only when I am doing you a favor.” He grumbled, but she had seen the smile lurking on his lips. “I wanted to spend your last night with you.”

“It’s not like I am leaving for good. And besides, you are taking me to the airport in the morning. I could still call an Uber.”

“No!” He shook his head. “I intend to see you off.”

She gave him a suspicious look. “Is it because you are afraid, I won’t get on the plane?”

“I trust you completely,” he said airily, “and I know for a fact that you would not blow up over a thousand dollars that I spent on your ticket.”

She had looked at him aghast. “You shouldn’t have.”

“I can more than afford it. And who else do I have to splurge on?” He had also insisted on giving her spending money, refusing to take no for an answer.

“I want you to enjoy yourself, empty your mind of everything negative and have a fling.”

“I am not going to have a fling.”

“I insist. Go to one of those fancy department stores, buy something slinky and close fitting.” He looked her over critically. “You could be a beauty, if you’d only make the effort.”

“If I have to make the effort then I wasn’t a beauty in the first place,” she pointed out dryly.

He had then proceeded to itemize her ‘assets’ as he called them. “You have gorgeous skin, flawless and smooth. You also have beautiful eyes and pouty lips.”

“You do realize that sounds sick coming from you, right?”

He had ignored her. “Go to one of those high-end salons and get a makeover. Get some rich Italian to take you out for dinner and put out for goodness sakes. You have been in how many relationships? Two? Three? And all of them were losers.”

“It’s two.”

“Jules, what’s wrong with you?”

“I am not a slut like you!”

“I am highly sexed and enjoy women. You are too buttoned up. I am praying this trip does it for you. I would love to see you happy.”

“That’s not going to happen anytime soon.”

He had backed down after realizing she was close to tears.

Now she was standing in her dismal apartment, saying goodbye. She had no idea what was going to happen when she returned. But she had promised her brother to take the three weeks to get her head on straight.

She was going to an exotic country, ripe with history and the editor in her was dying to explore and be entranced. Propping her hands on her narrow hips, she turned in a tight circle and decided to start with the kitchen.

Julian had promised to send movers as well and packers and he was going to pay for the entire thing. But there were some things she was going to have to take care of herself. But first, a glass of wine, before she did some laundry.

*****

“Are you going to follow me up to the counter as well?”