12. Was This Flirting?
Was This Flirting ?
Elio
The four of us are seated at a corner table of a sushi restaurant in Verciano, the closest city to the test track.
The place is humming with life, the dim lights reflecting off sleek black furniture and the endless stream of servers gliding past. I wanted to sit next to Lucy, but Veronica took the seat next to me, and Lucy ended up seated across from me with Lance.
“This place is fantastic,” Lance says, looking around the restaurant. “Not only is the food top-notch, but I’ve been to Tokyo a few times for work, and this place really nails the atmosphere.”
“I’ve never been to Japan,” Lucy says, her voice casual but tinged with interest. “But I’d love to go one day.”
“You’d love it,” Lance replies, his tone warm. “The food, the culture—it’s all incredible. And if you’re into sushi, there’s no better place.”
“She’d fit right in,” Veronica cuts in, glancing at Lucy with a practiced smile before turning her attention back to me. “Don’t you think, Elio? Lucy’s got that effortless chic style that Japanese women have.”
I glance at Lucy, catching the slight tilt of her head and the faintest hint of a blush on her cheeks. “Definitely,” I say, not missing the way her eyes dart to me before quickly glancing away. “She’d outshine the locals.”
Lucy rolls her eyes, but her lips twitch with what might be a suppressed smile. “Let’s not get carried away.”
“Try this one,” Veronica purrs, sliding a plate toward me. Her long nails graze my hand as she does. “It’s spicy, but I bet you like a bit of heat.” She leans in, close enough that I can smell her perfume, an overly sweet floral scent that makes me want to sneeze.
“Sure,” I say absently, picking up the plate while keeping my gaze on Lucy.
Lance is leaning a few inches closer to her, saying something that makes her laugh.
Could she really be into him? He must be at least ten years her senior.
I guess he does have that classy charm going on, but he’s way too old for her.
“So, Lucy,” Veronica says in a silky voice. “What’s been the most surprising thing about following Elio around? He’s not too much of a handful, is he?”
Lucy raises an eyebrow, finally meeting my gaze. “Surprising? I guess I didn’t expect him to be so . . . disciplined.”
Veronica breathes an airy laugh, resting her chin in her hand as she looks at me. “Disciplined, huh? I’d call it something else.”
Lance jumps in before I can respond. “Discipline is a must at this level, isn’t it, Elio? Though I admit, you do make it look effortless.”
“Thanks,” I say with a small nod. “But it’s a team effort. Just like your work, Lance. Your crew made today feel easy. That commercial’s going to look amazing.”
Lucy cuts in. “From what I saw, it’ll definitely turn heads.” She stabs a piece of sashimi with her chopsticks, her eyes flicking at Veronica, who’s leaning into me again.
Veronica smiles. “Oh, I have no doubt about that.”
“Well, that was great,” Lance says at the end of the meal, wiping his mouth with his napkin. “We’ll call you when we’re ready for the voiceover.”
“ Perfetto .” I call the waiter over and hand him my credit card.
“Oh, you don’t have to pay for everyone,” Veronica says, trailing her hand down my arm.
“It’s my pleasure.”
“Why don’t we prolong our night together? There’s a club next door. We could go for a drink?” she suggests, her blue eyes set on me. ”On us, this time.”
“Sure.” I nod, expecting everyone to agree. But when I turn around, Lance is shaking his head.
“I have an early morning.”
“Lucy?” I ask, turning to her. “You’re coming, right?”
She glances at Veronica, then back at me. “Um, no. I still have to upload today’s content to the website, and it’s getting late already.”
“Oh come on, Lucy. You can do that in the morning, with the time difference and all, right?”
She offers an apologetic smile. “I’m also kind of tired, so—”
“Don’t worry, Elio,” Lance says, glancing at Lucy. “You two go have fun. I’ll drive Lucy back, if that’s your concern.”
Lucy beams. “Oh, that’s so kind of you. Thank you.”
My throat constricts, and my mouth suddenly feels too dry to function. Is he serious right now?
“Well, perfect,” Veronica says, peering at me. “Just the two of us.”
I steal a glance at Lucy, who’s all smiles as she chats with Lance, her cheeks flushing pink again.
“Okay, yeah.” I scratch my head, trying to make sense of what just happened. “Maybe we can do one drink.”
As we all leave the restaurant, I sidle up to Lucy. “Are you sure you’re okay with Lance taking you home? I could always drive you and come back, or—”
“Oh, no, that’s unnecessary.” She tucks a strand of hair behind her ear. “Lance is a gentleman. Enjoy your night. I don’t want to be a burden.”
“You’re—”
“All right,” Veronica announces loudly. “I guess this is where we say goodbye. Thanks again for a wonderful evening.”
She shakes hands with Lance and Lucy before stepping next to me.
I force a smile. “Right. Ciao a tutti . Thank you again.”
My gaze falls on Lucy, but her eyes immediately drop to her shoes, and she turns around, walking away with Lance.
“Ready?” Veronica asks, an eyebrow arched.
I clear my throat. “Yes, sorry. Let’s go.”
She chats about the commercial as we walk to the club, but I’m barely listening. I can’t believe Lucy is going home with the guy who flirted with her all night long. Does she even know that?
Of course, she does, says a small voice in my head. She was flirting back.
I think I’m going to be sick.
“Are you okay?” Veronica asks, her thin eyebrows drawn together.
I shake my head back into focus. “ Sì. Scusa me. I was just thinking about something. What were you saying?”
I don’t want to be rude, since I did agree to have a dr ink with her, so I do my best to listen. But even when we’re sitting at the bar, music blasting around us, Lucy is all I can think about. Lucy and Lance.
“I’m sorry,” I say, interrupting Veronica. “I’m actually not feeling so well. Would you hate me if we called it a night?”
Her eyes widen. “Oh, no. Not at all. Are you getting sick? We did have you running around half-naked all afternoon.” She leans toward me to check my forehead with her palm, pretty much shoving her cleavage in my face in the process, and I jolt with realization.
Veronica has been flirting with me this whole time.
I was so focused on Lucy and Lance, I didn’t even pay attention to her, or to any of the now-obvious signs.
Lucy. What does she think about Veronica’s advances? Did she think I was flirting back? Does she think I’m interested in Veronica? No. She was probably too focused on Lance to care.
Swallowing hard, I lean back to put some distance between me and her cleavage. “I’m going to be fine. I think I just need some rest.”
She gives me a sympathetic smile. “No problem.”
We leave the club and walk to the parking lot.
“Do you need a ride home?” she asks as we’re approaching our cars. “Last thing I want is for you to get into an accident because you’re not feeling well.”
“Oh, no, that’s not necessary. I’m a driver.
It’s what I do,” I joke, playing with my keys.
I feel bad, really. I probably encouraged her flirting all night long without even realizing it.
That’s just wha t I do. I’m nice, charming.
I chat with people casually without any hidden meaning, but I realize now that I have to be more careful about what I project.
“Right.” She giggles. “Well, my hotel is only five minutes away, so if you’re eager to get some rest, feel free to come by and sleep on the couch.”
“That’s very kind of you,” I say, trying to be sensitive. “But I’ll be okay.”
She bites her lip. “Okay then. Well, it was nice meeting you. Thanks again for dinner and the drinks.”
I nod, smiling. “My pleasure. Drive safely.”
I unlock my car and hop in, starting the engine as soon as I’m seated.
I hastily drive out of the parking lot, not waiting around to see if Veronica’s next move is to tell me her car isn’t starting and I’ll have to drive her back.
It would certainly not be the first time, and I’m not falling for it.