Harmless fun.

I have to remind myself again, but the way my skin turns to flame every time he touches me, I realize there's nothing harmless about this at all.

"You know, I was thinking earlier," I blurt.

"Mmm?" he murmurs against my hair.

"I'm surprised you're still... well… that you're not snatched up already. Don't the Italian ladies know what they're missing out on?"

My tone is playful, but there's just a hint of seriousness hidden behind it.

"It's the opposite. I know exactly what I'm missing out on and happily so."

"Come on." I look into his eyes. "I'm sure that's not true. With how people-oriented your work is, I'm sure you must meet new women every day. Not a single one of them caught your eye?"

"One did." He shrugs, keeping his eyes on mine.

"Oh."

I'm trying not to show it, but an unexpected jab of jealousy springs up inside of me.

He laughs.

I frown. "What?"

"Nothing. You just don't look so happy to hear that."

"No, I...I'm just curious, that's all."

"Well, I can tell you more about her, if you like."

No, I don’t like, but we aren’t more than harmless fun, right? So, so it shouldn’t affect me if he talks about the woman who caught his eye. Except, it does.

I force down a thick swallow. "Go right ahead."

He brings me over to an area where there's a thicker cover of grapevines and leans down to kiss me.

"She's a bit of a wildcard," he starts, gazing into my eyes. "A total smokeshow, gets heads turning wherever she goes. She's passionate, left her corporate job to pursue her dreams."

I finally catch onto what he's trying to say and look away, my cheeks heating up.

"Would you like to know more?" He gently moves my face so I am looking at him again.

I want to act nonchalant, but my mind refuses to come up with any clever response.

So, I lean upward to kiss him again.

He sighs into my mouth, holding me tight against his chest as I deepen the kiss.

I don't know how long we stand there, just making out like a pair of high schoolers. But by the end of it, my lipstick is smudged all over his mouth, and I could bet my hair looks like a bird nested on it.

"She sounds nice," I say finally as we begin walking again, smoothing out my hair.

"You bet she is. Though…" He rubs the corners of his mouth, smiling. "She should really consider investing in some better lipstick. Or a different color. I don’t think this one suits me the best."

"Enzo!" I laugh, smacking him across the chest, giddy.

"I'm just kidding." He smirks. "I like the reminder."