Tommaso bowed his head. “Just a little token of my esteem.”
“Uh-huh.” Olly suddenly didn’t like this guy; he was way too confident.
Tommaso smiled. “Chief Rosenbaum, I feel I haven’t had the chance to get to know you properly.”
He offered his hand and, after a hesitation, Olly shook it. Inca beamed.
“I don’t want to offend you, Tommaso, but I’m just going to go out back and change. I’m terrified of spilling coffee on this dress.”
She gave them both a smile and disappeared. Scarlett went to clear the tables and close the door. Luna sat in silence. Olly couldn’t resist.
“Personal. A dress.”
Tommaso nodded. “That’s what Inca said. Perhaps it was inappropriate.”
Olly was taken aback by the other man’s admission. He thawed a little.
“How long do you think you’ll be staying?”
Tommaso smiled. “At the moment, we have no plans to leave. Plenty of time to get to know everyone.”
Olly nodded. “Sure.”
Tommaso leaned over and refilled his coffee. He offered the pot to Olly, who shook his head. Tommaso looked at the other man.
“Perhaps you and … Molly, is it, would like to join us for dinner one night?”
Olly felt his conciliatory mood disappear at Tommaso’s proprietary tone. He stood up. “Uh-huh.” He knocked on the backroom door. “Inks, I’m going now.”
Tommaso smirked into his mug and Olly gave him a withering look. Inca poked her head out of the door.
“Okay, night, then.”
Olly touched her face and smiled. “Night, darlin’.”
He walked towards the door.
“Goodnight, Chief.”
Olly nodded at Tommaso, curt and annoyed. He waved to his sister and went out into the night.
Outside he crossed the street, looking back over at the teahouse. He watched Tommaso talking to Inca, touching her face, kissing her tenderly. Arrogant prick.
“Us’he thought. Fucker knew exactly what he was doing.
Olly sighed, reminded himself that he had no right to be annoyed or to be jealous, but a knot of tension had lodged itself in his chest. He lit a cigarette, feeling like an intruder as he watched the two of them.Hisfriend.HisInca. He knew he was being petulant.
He coughed and pulling himself together.
She’s not your Inca anymore, buddy.
He winced at the pain the thought caused him. He crushed the remainder of his smoke under his heel and went to work.
Tommaso stayedover at Inca’s apartment and she saw him taking it all in. “I like it,” he said. “It’s very you.”
She smiled and he took her in his arms. “Inca, I need to tell you something. I’ve never been this happy.”
She smiled at him, both touched and nervous. “Tommaso … I love spending time with you. I do, but I don’t know if I’m ready for a serious relationship.”