Page 41 of Dangerous Kiss
Cosimo had another surprise in store for her…they were going to Gig Harbor by helicopter. As they flew over Ruston and Shore Acres, Biba kissed Cosimo. “You are the best gift any woman could have.”
Cosimo grinned. “Ha, tell me again on our fiftieth wedding anniversary when I’m ninety, and you’re still spritely and active. You’ll trade me in for a younger model.”
“Well,of course,” Biba tried to keep a straight face. “But I think you overestimate how long I’ll wait to take a younger lover.”
Cosimo grinned. “Oh, really? Damn, I was banking on at least fifty years.”
They both laughed, and Cosimo locked his fingers with hers. “God, you make me happy, Biba May.”
“Right back at you, handsome.”
Cosimo beamed then nodded out of the helicopter’s window. “We’re here.”
They both agreed that the gondolier ride was incredibly romantic, but over dinner in one of the most exclusive restaurants in the city, Cosimo expressed his true love for his hometown of Venice. “It is the most incredible place to grow up. We used to take Nicco every summer. Grace and I always followed the rule of when one works, the other doesn’t. But in the summer, we always managed a month together in Venice. When Nicco grew up, of course, he wanted to spend summers with his friends, so the trips back home trailed off.”
“Did your own mother never live there?”
“Only when I was young.”
Biba studied him. “You never mention your dad.”
Cosimo sipped his wine and shrugged. “Because I never knew him. Mom got pregnant by a married man—she didn’t know he was married—and decided to raise me on her own. We even lived in a women-led commune for a time in France before we came here.”
“And she’s American?”
Cosimo nodded. “Washingtonian born and bred.”
“I can’t wait to meet her.”
Cosimo kissed her hand. “She willadoreyou, Biba.”
When they got back to Lakewood, Biba saw that the little beach next to the lake was lit up with tiki torches, and a thrill ran through her. “What have you mad people done now?”
Cosimo laughed. “Wait and see.”
Their friends and colleagues greeted them, and she saw Rich nod to Cosimo with a grin.
“Now?”
“Now,” agreed Cosimo, and he took Biba’s hand, smiling down at her. “Happy birthday, baby.”
Biba nearly jumped out of her skin as fireworks began streaking through the night sky and exploding in a riot of colors above them. She laughed and shook her head. “You did all this for me?”
Cosimo kissed her tenderly. “You are so loved, Biba, not just by me. By Reggie, by Rich, by the rest of them…even Stella loves you.”
“Ha.”
“She does. She just likes to hide it.” He looked around for the blonde actress, but Stella was nowhere to be seen. “Hey, Rich, someone being a diva still?”
Rich slung his arm around Biba’s shoulders. “Stel’s been sulking all afternoon, hiding out in her trailer. Want me to go find her?”
Biba shook her head, but Cosimo rolled his eyes. “Yes, go find her. Tell her to stop being a mean girl and come out to play.”
Rich chuckled. “Will do.”
Biba sighed. “Cos, this day has been magical, just magical. Thank you, baby.”
Cosimo’s cell phone rang, and he grinned as he saw who was calling. “I think this is for you, Beebs.” He handed her his phone, and Biba said “Hello?”
