The Italian

I really need to pull myself out of this dating funk. It’s getting ridiculous.

She opens the door of the office and my eyes widen.

The room has huge burgundy velvet couches in it, a black desk, and a black, leather office chair. There are huge, framed images of models on the runway in exotic clothing on the walls.

“Bella, huh?” She smiles, sensing my admiration.

“Yes, beautiful.” My eyes scan the room.

There’s a brief knock on the door before a man pops his head around it. “Hello. You must be Olivia?” he says.

“Yes.” I smile awkwardly because he is the most gorgeous man I’ve seen in a very long time. He’s beautiful actually. There’s a golden hue to his thick hair, and he has big brown eyes. He’s well-built and a little older. I would say completely and utterly gay, too, damn it. Why do gay men get the cream of the crop?

He walks into the office and shakes my hand. “I wanted to introduce myself to you. My name is Giorgio.”

“Hello.” I shake his hand. He’s wearing a navy-blue suit and a pink shirt. The top two buttons of his shirt are undone, and I can see a scattering of his dark chest hair. Well, that’s a little bit sexy for the office. Very Valentino, I remind myself.

Seraphina’s face falls in surprise. “Giorgio,” she says. “Nice to see you.”

“All ready for the move?” he asks her.

“Yes, very much looking forward to it.”

Giorgio’s eyes come to me. “So, you’re Olivia Reynolds?”

“Yes.”

&nb

sp; “Hmm.” He smiles as he looks me up and down as if doing an internal assessment., and I feel myself blush under his gaze.

“We must have coffee next week, Olivia. I would love to get to know you.”

“Sure.” I smile. “That would be great.”

A frown crosses Seraphina’s face as she looks between us.

“Okay, got to run.” He smiles. “Happy settling in, Olivia. Good luck with the move, Seraphina.” He disappears out of the door.

Seraphina watches him, and then turns her attention back to me. “Have you ever met him before?” she asks.

“No.”

“Huh.” She shakes her head and drops into her chair at her desk.

“What?” I ask.

“Do you know who he is?”

“Who, Giorgio?” I frown. “No idea.”

“He’s the CEO. He’s never been in my office before in his life. I’m surprised he even knew my name.”

“Really? That’s weird?”

“Very.” Seraphina shrugs. “Oh, well, great for you, I guess. Where were we?” she asks.

I shrug. “Me feeling completely overwhelmed?”