Chapter One
Cole
Overseas business trips were exhausting, but they had many perks. This one had brought me to Rome. I’d flown in from New York a week ago with the goal of signing one of the biggest business deals in my career. It took six days of negotiations, but here I was, deal in my pocket.
I hadn’t had time to enjoy the city until now, but I planned to make up for it tonight and tomorrow. I’d already made up my mind that I had to come back once more for an actual vacation. So far, the food was excellent and the weather was to my liking—at least now in March. It was pleasantly warm, and humidity was low.
I was dining at a rooftop restaurant in Piazza Navona that was bursting with customers. I heard the occasional phrase in Italian, but there were mostly tourists here.
My phone kept buzzing with messages. My three siblings were congratulating me on sealing the deal. We had a WhatsApp group where we shared news and updates... or just teased each other for no reason.
Tess: I knew you could do it.
Skye: Don’t repeat that too often or it’ll go to his head.
Tess: Hey, he deserves all the praise right now.
I chuckled. I couldn’t wait to go back to New York. My family was very tight-knit. My sisters had been to Rome years ago, and they’d been so excited that I was coming here that they’d almost joined me too.
Tess: Also, just in case you forgot, we’re expecting presents.
Skye: Yes, tons.
I smiled, typing back. I’d already bought them presents on my first day here. Didn’t want to risk forgetting what with all the negotiations happening.
Cole: Done already.
Tess: Awww, you’re the best.
Ryker: Best what? Brother?
Tess: Best at buying presents :-D
Ryker: Nice save.
Hunter wrote next. He was my cousin and business partner. We were running a huge real estate development company together, Caldwell Real Estate. The deal with Delimano marked the start of our expansion in Europe. We were going to build a shopping center in Rome together.
Hunter: Well done. Now blow off some steam. You deserve it.
Hell, yes. I planned to do that in spades. I felt on top of the world right now, drunk on my success, pleased with my negotiation skills in bringing even a tough guy like Delimano to heel. Where he pushed, I pushed back harder. In the end, he’d bowed to my terms, and now it was time to celebrate.
Tess: Have you met up with Laney yet?
Cole: No, I’m seeing her tonight.
Tess: Isabelle says she’s an expert on Rome. You’re lucky.
Isabelle was Hunter’s sister-in-law, and when she’d heard I was in Rome for a week, she’d insisted I meet with her friend Laney, who was here for a medical exchange program. I’d texted Laney as soon as I landed in Rome but hadn’t had time to actually meet with her until tonight. She was supposed to be here by now. Right on cue, my phone buzzed.
Laney: I’ll be a few minutes late.
A few minutes turned into fifteen, but it didn’t bother me. I wasn’t on a schedule anymore. I just relaxed in my chair, inspecting the menu. I’d been eating at Italian restaurants every evening, but I hadn’t cared much about what I was eating. When my mind was on business, I tuned out everything else.
“Cole Winchester?” a female voice asked.
I looked up. Laney was a damn fine sight. She was tall and slender with blue eyes and a mass of blonde hair wild around her head.
“Yes.”
“Laney Smith.” She smiled broadly. I got to my feet, shaking her hand. I couldn’t help but give her a thorough perusal, because damn, she was gorgeous.
“I’m so sorry I’m late,” she said as we both sat down.
“No problem. Glad we could finally meet. What do you want to drink? They have the specials listed there.” I pointed to the blackboard next to the bar. The specials were written with colored chalk.
Laney squinted. “Hmm... the house specialty sounds like a tourist thing. I’ve never seen Italians mix limoncello with orange juice.”
“I heard you’re an expert in all things Italian. What would you recommend?” I smiled taking in her sparkling eyes.
Laney grinned. “Well, limoncello is actually a dessert drink. Usually one starts with wine... but we could break the rules tonight.”
“I’m all about breaking rules.” I looked at her intently. She swallowed, lowering her gaze to the menu, but I kept my eyes trained on her.
We ended up ordering limoncello, bruschetta for a starter, and spaghetti for a main course.
“When are you flying back to New York?” she asked.
“Tomorrow evening.”
“Hmm. That doesn’t leave you much time for exploring.”
“No, but I’m hoping you can give me tips for a speed tour. Since you’re an expert and everything.”
She laughed. “Did Isabelle say that?”
“Yes.”
“What else did she say?” Her blush was telling me all the things I wanted to know.