Page 12 of Bittersweet

“Hi,” I reply, waving to him and then to B, who stands behind the coffee machine inside thecafé.

“Where are you off to?” heasks.

“Hiking.” I make aface.

“Hiking?”

“It’s for work. Kenna McPherson just got engaged, and she’s announcing the details tonight at Pikes Peak, on one of the trails.” Hopefully, not a longtrail.

Ideally in the trail parkinglot.

“Do you hike much?” Elio asks, and it’s all I can do not tolaugh.

“Seriously? Look at me.” I gesture to my body and my khaki trench coat, the skinny jeans poking out underneath. “Does this look like the body of a woman who spends a lot of time engaging in physicalactivity?”

Elio’s gaze darkens. He steps closer. Tension sparks the air between us. “Depends on the kind of physicalactivity.”

My heart free falls through my chest. There’s no mistaking that. He is flirting. Withme.

How is this evenpossible?

It must be the nonna effect, I decide. I charmed her, and now she’s worked some kind of Italian voodoo on him, and he’s going to bemine.

“Well, you’re more than welcome to come if you want,” I say, trying to inject a seductive tone in myvoice.

“I . . .” Elio glances behind him at the café. Indecision wages war on his features, and maybe I’ve read this allwrong?

No. That line about the physical activity—how wrong could I getthat?

“Just let me duck inside real quick,” he says, and he pulls his cell from his pocket and walks back to thecafé.

I turn toward the shop window to the left of my building. Photos of houses with varied looks and even more varied price tags stare back at me. I move until I can also see my reflection, checking my hair is still neatly pulled back, my makeup still on point. My soft cream shirt is just visible through the gap at the top of my trench, and I’m thankful I decided to dress to impresstoday.

Checking Elio’s still otherwise occupied, I pull out my phone and shoot a quick text off toEmma.

Romy:Want an Elioupdate?

Emma:TELL MEALL.

Romy:I just asked him to come hiking. With me.Together.

Emma:Hot datealert!

I smile as another text fliesin.

Emma:Remember, tie your laces tight. Wear weather-appropriate outerwear and sex-appropriate underwear. Stay hydrated, and have funxx

Shoot.What lingerie am Iwearing?

I bite my lip, thinking of the white sports bra I strapped on an hour earlier, the granny panties that suck my stomach in. Not even close to sex-appropriate.

You’re going hiking, I remind myself.Just stay calm and think of lingerielater.

Seconds later, Elio’s at my side again, an easy smile on his face and two bottles of water in his hand. “You ready togo?”

I hold up my keys. “Allset.”

6

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