Page 28 of Love Lessons
My inner voice has a few good points, I think.
Still. “I want to make him eat his words,” I admit. “I’m going to this gala, and the gloves areoff. I’ll find a hot dress and spike heels that could make a grown man cry.”
“Work it, girl,” Aly chimes in.
“But this is exactly why you need a vacation fling,” Sylvie says. “You need to get your mojo back. Flirt with Ian in the hot tub. Work on your tan. Kiss a hot guy under an Italian sunset. I hear this villa has amazing views of the sunset.” She gets a dreamy look in her eye.
“I’m looking forward to some sunset lovin’,” Charli admits. “Oh Vera—this is for you.” She passes me a bottle of orange juice and a bag that contains a lovely Italian pastry.
“Wow, thanks.” I take a bite, so I don’t have to talk about myself anymore.
Although, I wish I was the kind of girl who had vacation flings. But that’s never been me.
What are you waiting for, bitch?that little voice in my head asks.This is as hot as you’ll ever be.
But it’s not like I’d even know what to do. I don’t know how to seduce a man. I picture Ian Crikey naked in a bed with a hungry gleam in his eye. And, wow, I don’t know if I could handle a guy like that. His style is all animal magnetism and raw sexual appeal.
My style is nervous butterflies and panic attacks on planes.
It would never work.
But a girl can dream.
NINE
Vacation Mode Engaged
IAN
* * *
The curvy,hilly drive to Lake Como is spectacular. I sip a cup of hot Italian espresso and watch the scenery go by. Little old towns with red rooftops. Church steeples. Lush flowers.
I feel jet lagged and sluggish in spite of the beautiful scenery. Still, this is exactly what I need—a couple weeks away from the city. Maybe I’ll be too tired tonight for dark dreams about hockey fights.
“What’s the rooming situation?” Heidi Jo asks. “Do I need to elbow any of my girlfriends out of the way to get a private room with my honey?” She puts a hand on Castro’s knee.
“We’ve got seven bedrooms, so no violence will be necessary,” Drake says. “Charli and I are taking the king suite, but there are queen beds in all the other rooms. Except—Crikey?”
“Yeah?”
“Your room shares a bathroom with Vera’s. If that’s okay.”
“Sure, man. Of course.” I’m planning to walk around the villa shirtless, of course, until she admits she wants me.
My phone buzzes with a text and—speak of the devil who wears Prada—it’s my hilarious neighbor.
Vera: I just deleted a picture off Charli’s phone of you holding me upright in the airport. If I promise to find you some new shirts with hypoallergenic seams, could we never speak of this again?
Ian: Okay. Does that mean I should delete the photos I took of you drooling on my concert tee? I was gonna light up Instagram first
Vera: IAN!!! Delete them!!!
I laugh, because she is a lot of fun to tease.
Ian: There aren’t any photos, countess. Just for the record, you are welcome to take pics of me anytime. You might want some to hang in your apartment.
Vera: My apartment already has very tasteful art on the walls, thanks.
