Chapter 15
Allegra
AT LEAST THE shop was keeping me busy.
Ten minutes after Matteo had left yesterday morning, a customer showed up.
And there had been a steady stream ever since.
Apparently, my grandmother’s friend Francesca had gotten the word out as promised, and over the last two days I’d sold almost two thousand euros worth of inventory.
Since I had to hang around the shop and didn’t want time to think, I threw myself into organizing things and trying to figure out how to price the items stacked in the back that hadn’t yet been tagged—anything to keep my mind off the news I’d received two days earlier.
It was almost closing time on Friday afternoon when the bell on the shop door rattled. Luciana smiled and held up a bag as she entered. “Forget the others. I find you da perfetto outfit to wear tonight!”
Shoot. I’d been meaning to go next door to let her know I’d changed my mind about going, but every time I looked across, I saw Matteo outside. “I’m sorry, Luciana. I don’t think I’m going to be able to go tonight after all.”
She narrowed her eyes. “Do you have a hot date?”
“No.”
“Did someone die?”
I shook my head. “No, but—”
She waved her hand in the air. “Den you have no scuse.”
“It’s just been a rough couple of days.”
“Dat’s all the more reason to go, no? Blow off some steam.”
“I’d be miserable company. With my mood, I’m afraid that if I’m forced to speak to men, I might ‘accidentally’ stomp on their toes in my heels.”
Luciana’s eyes sparkled. “I have de perfect pair of stilettos for piercing da skin!”
That brought out my first real smile in two days. “I’m really not up for meeting men.”
“Who said anything about meeting men? We’re going to meet tequila and dance until we’re so sweaty it looks like we walk in da rain.”
“I’m not sure tequila is much better for me than a man.”
“But at least tequila won’t text you at two a.m. with a ‘u up?’”
I snort-laughed. “You’re not going to let me say no, are you?”
Her smile widened. “We play my favorite game at da club. I promise you have fun.”
I was almost afraid to ask. “What game?”
“I like to call it Compliment Roulette.” She rolled her R. “Me and my friends, we make it up years ago and have the best time.”
“How do you play?”
“When a man walks up and gives you a cheesy line, you have to respond with a ridiculous compliment. The more bizzarro, the better, and we count how many drinks we can still get them to buy.”
I laughed. “I’m not sure I’m following.”
“Say a man come up and says you are bellissima. Maybe you respond back with I tuoi gomiti sono davvero simmetrici.”
“What does that mean?”
“Your elbows, they are really symmetrical.”
“He’ll think I’m nuts.”
“Exactly.” She grinned. “If he still buys you a drink, you earn a point.” She held out the bag of clothes. “It’s one night. Join me for some fun. We don’t know each other well, but I think you need it.”
I took a deep breath in and blew it out. “What the hell. Okay.”
***
All three outfits Luciana had given me were gorgeous, but a bit skimpier than I was used to.
The first had a leather skirt with open sides, which meant I couldn’t have worn underwear.
I ruled it out without even trying it on.
The second was a sparkly two-piece silver set.
The top was a halter that only covered half my midriff, and the mini skirt was equally skin-baring.
I actually loved it when I put it on, though.
I couldn’t deny that it looked super sexy, but I felt like I might spend the whole night searching for a sweater to cover up.
The third outfit was a one-shoulder mini dress in deep purple.
It was still short, but at least my torso was covered.
I’d brought a little black dress with me, so I tried that one on next, but it now seemed matronly compared to the outfits Luciana had provided.
I would’ve liked to have Cass’s opinion, but she would still be at work in New York, and I didn’t want to bother her.
Instead, I changed into each of the two possibilities a second time and finally stared in the mirror, turning one way and then the other, with the silver one on.
I looked good. Really good, even. I might go so far as to say hot.
The other dress was nice but didn’t accentuate my assets like this did.
My heart pumped a little faster as I turned from side to side again, checking myself out.
The halter top hugged my curves and showed a daring amount of my cleavage and stomach, and the short hem of the matching skirt made my legs look a mile long.
I’d never worn something so skimpy in my life, but it did look the part for a night out clubbing.
And it lifted my spirits to look good. I was also a little curious to see Matteo’s reaction when I walked in wearing this—even if I was down on men.
I gnawed on my lip, staring a while longer, lifting my hair in different ways and deciding that putting it up made the entire getup even sexier. Before I knew it, it was eleven o’clock, and I still hadn’t decided for sure. Eventually, I let out a huff. “Screw it. I’m wearing it.”
Maybe I’d pick up a guy tonight and use him.
Lord knows it had been too long since I’d had sex.
I could take out my frustrations on a one-night stand—no strings, no expectations, just something to quiet the restless energy buzzing under my skin.
And maybe, if I was lucky, it would help me forget about the temptation living right next door.
My nerves almost got the best of me as I made my way over there. While I waited for someone to answer the door, I halfheartedly considered running back to change. Though, when the door swung open and Matteo got a look at me, it was clear I’d made the right decision.
His beautiful light blue eyes darkened as they trailed slowly up from my feet. Heat rippled through me with every inch his gaze traveled—lingering over my breasts, pausing at my collarbone, and stopping far too long on my lips before finally locking with mine.
He swallowed. “You look…”
He didn’t get the chance to finish before the door swung open the rest of the way. Luciana appeared, her eyes moving from me to her brother, then back again, before a wide smile curved across her face.
“I bet you’re second-guessing your decision not to come tonight, aren’t you, brother?”
Matteo still hadn’t moved, so Luciana stepped around him and opened the screen door.
“Come in. I need to change my bag and put on lipstick. You look… Sei una bomba.” You’re a bomb.
She glanced once again at her brother, who still hadn’t moved, and chuckled.
“I think quite literally, since Matteo’s head looks like it might explode. ”
I followed Luciana into the kitchen where she pointed to a bottle on the table. “Have a glass of vino. I’ll be done in un minuto. Perhaps my brother can entertain you while I’m gone…if he can figure out how to speak again.”
Matteo shook his head and met my eyes. “You look bellissima. Maybe I can give you a sweatshirt to put on, in case you get cold.”
“Are you saying you think I should cover up?”
“Right now? Absolutely not. Once you get to da club and two hundred men are drooling over you, maybe.” He nodded toward the table. “Wine?”
“I’d love some.”
Matteo took out a glass and poured, passing it to me.
“Aren’t you going to join me?” I asked.
“I had one with dinner. That’s enough when I’m driving.”
I nodded and took a slow sip, aware of Matteo’s gaze again sweeping over me. When his eyes returned to mine, I arched a brow.
“Sorry.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “I can’t help myself.”
I smiled, shaking my head. “I don’t mind. In fact, I think I might owe you some free ogles.”
Luciana emerged with her lips painted bright red and plucked the wine glass from my hand. Downing it in one swallow, she announced, “I’m ready now.”
The ride to the club took almost half an hour.
Luciana had insisted I sit up front, and Matteo had barely spoken the entire way.
Still, I saw his eyes falling to my legs on more than one occasion.
When we finally pulled up, the bass from inside thumped so loud that it vibrated the car windows.
Luciana leaned up from the backseat. “You sure you don’t want to come with us? ”
He shook his head. “I don’t go to clubs.”
“Shame.” Luciana winked at me. “Allegra could use a bodyguard in dat outfit.”
Matteo’s jaw ticked, his eyes cutting to mine before shifting back to the steering wheel. “She’s from New York. She’ll manage.”
Luciana kissed her brother’s cheek and reached for the door handle. “Suit yourself.”
We got out of the car, and Luciana linked her arm with mine, already laughing. When we made it to the door, I glanced back and found Matteo still watching.