Run To Rome

Paranoia and exhaustion were getting the better of him and he tried to make light of the mini-interrogation. “Just want to make sure I can drop you off tomorrow without having to deal with a bunch of fans clamoring for autographs.”

She rolled her eyes before spinning on one heel to start back along the dock. “You should get yourself a bigger boat to house that ego of yours. And, my brother and sister hardly constitute a bunch.”

“I notice you didn’t point out they wouldn’t want an autograph.”

“They don’t know you like I do.”

“Lucky for me.”

“Lucky for them.”

He laughed and playfully nudged her toward the edge of the dock with his good shoulder. She stuttered a step, then shoved back on his arm with both hands.

At the boat, he braced his weight on his right hand and jumped over the edge, then turned to offer help down. Her hesitation delivered another blow to his apparently staggering ego. He fought back with a good ol’ boy grin.

Her palm slid into his. So small, so delicate, but her grip spoke of a strength easily underestimated.

“I never did actually thank you for saving me today.”

Case in point, he hadn’t seen that one coming.

The lights of the boat illuminated her face as she joined him on deck, but intriguing shadows darkened her eyes. He tightened his hold on her fingers when she gave a subtle pull. “Three times, now, but who’s counting.”

“You’re a regular knight in shining armor, Tomlin.”

“Tell that to the tabloids.”

“They’d never buy it.”

She tugged harder and he released her hand. “True. And if they did, it would totally ruin my image.”

Flip answers came easy, and they were as comfortable as a worn pair of jeans. Better than giving in to the temptation to kiss her again. He might end up head over heels in the water.

She shook her head with a laugh. “In light of your three rescues then, I say, thank you, thank you, and thank you.”

He dipped his head in a single nod. When she lowered herself onto the bench seat and leaned her head back, he descended to the galley for two glasses and the bottle of Chianti she’d opened earlier. She protested when he returned and poured wine for each of them, but accepted his offer of the glass anyway. He took a seat across from her and sipped.

A few minutes of companionable silence passed before he said, “I’m curious…I noticed it took me getting shot for you to one hundred percent believe I was trying to help. Do you have trouble trusting people in general, or is it me in particular?”

She lifted her hand to cover a yawn, and then took a sip of wine. She did not meet his eyes. “I like things very ordered, and y—”

“No, not you.”

“You are very un-ordered.”

“So, naturally, I’m untrustworthy.” He acknowledged her statement with a lift of his glass. “I’m impressed with your logic.”

“We’re not really having this discussion again, are we?” She mimicked his words from earlier at the house.

“Humor me. I was tired, I wasn’t listening.” He glanced across the lake at the lights of Candenabbia and Tremezzo. Lenno sat slightly to the south. He did his best to focus on Halli and not wonder what Lapaglia was doing right now.

Halli spoke through another yawn. “Typical. It didn’t have to do with you, so why bother listening.”

Trent turned back to Halli. “I’m sorry, what was that?”

When she started to repeat her words, he couldn’t hold back his grin.

“Oh, ha, ha, funny man.”