Page 34 of I Think Olive You

“What are you saying?” She’s invested, I can see it on her face.

“It’s our anniversary. I was hoping to propose to her after the tour. Out in the olive grove during sunset—it seemed romantic. We’re here on vacation and we leave at the end of the week. It was supposed to be this perfect moment and now it’s a total screw up.”

Okay, way to lay it on thick. Why don’t you conjure a tear or two, to go along with your little sob story. You know Giuliana will never go for it.

Francesca thinks on it for a moment, pulling away to type furiously into the computer.

“Okay, so. We do not have any spots for public tours this weekend, but we do offer an exclusive VIP package.”

She turns the screen toward me to show me the digital brochure. Which is in Italian, so my confusion isn’t fake.

“It includes a night at the villa, a private tour of the grounds and the process, as well as a tasting. Since it is your engagement, I will also add in a bottle of prosecco and chocolate-covered strawberries. The only trouble is we have sold out of the single rooms because of a wedding tonight. We have one room remaining, but there’s two beds you could push together. Would that be okay?”

It’s ideal. But she doesn’t have to know.

“You’re saving my life, Francesca. I don’t know how to repay you.”

She laughs, turning the screen back. “You can repay me by leaving a large tip.”

“It’s a deal!”

“I’ll get you checked in while you tell Giuliana the good news.”

I find her pacing along the flowerbeds, whispering under her breath to herself. When she hears me coming, she turns and starts toward me, words already spilling out of her mouth.

“I knew this was a bad idea. I don’t do stuff like this. I don’t drive off spontaneously. This is why I plan. This is how I avoid issues.”

“Giuliana…”

“And now, we have to go all the way back with nothing to show for it except failure. I feel like such an idiot, I?—”

“Giuliana,” I say again, framing her face with my hands to get her to still and look at me.

“You have a private tour planned for tomorrow, as well as a place to stay the night. It’s all taken care of.”

“How?” She doesn’t pull away from my touch, just stares up at me with those beautiful brown eyes and makes me feel like I’ve managed a miracle.

“I may have told her a little lie. But don’t worry. It’s handled.”

Her wonder turns to skepticism, her eyes narrowing.

“Matteo…”

“Sì, bella.”

She huffs at the endearment, stepping away from me and the tightness in my chest gets even worse.

“Multiple nicknames in one day. Your cheeky grin can’t be good. What did you do? You know I don’t like lying.”

“We’re just pretending to be here together so they don’t suspect anything. We may have to play that up a little but it’ll be fine. You get settled in the room. I’m going to run into town for a change of clothes, okay?”

“Are you sure you don’t need me to come with you? I’ll need clothes as well.”

“I—uh—I’ll take care of all of it. Just trust me.”

Ha! Fucking rich request considering you are actively screwing her over.

But not today. Or tomorrow. Possibly not ever? I’m so torn on this fucking thing. It’s my weekend off from trying to steal the grove. Right now, we’re exploring her business plan.

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