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Sergio commended her for preferring to play it safe, but she had nothing to fear from him or his family. “Our family knows Vera and Henry Delair. You’re perfectly safe accepting a ride from us.”
He observed Olivia closely as she considered his statement. Hopeful she’d accept their help getting to Lincoln Center. Willing to beg if he had to. What was wrong with him? Sergio never begged.
Olivia pulled out her cell phone, turned her back to them and stepped away, creating some distance between them. A smile tugged on his lips when he heard Olivia admit to Vera that she thought he was very handsome. His mother grinned at him from ear to ear. She was most likely already planning their wedding. He must have gone insane as the thought didn’t bother him in the least.
Suddenly Olivia turned back around and approached them holding her phone out. “Okay Vera, you’re on speaker.”
“Sergio dear, how are you? It’s been much too long,” Vera said, amusement lacing her voice.
“I know it has, but I’m well. Mom’s here too.”
“Justine! That settles it. Allegra’s in town for Fashion Week and will be at our show. Let’s do brunch on Sunday if you’re free. And Olivia, you should join us since we’ll be apartment hunting for you anyway.”
“It’s a date. Olivia? Please say you’ll join us?” his mother asked, her smile warm and inviting.
“Allegra Vanetti, as in Editor-in-Chief of Sophisto Moda magazine?” Olivia’s lips curved up in a sweet smile that made Sergio’s breath hitch.
“The one and only. She’s going to love you. Please say you’ll join us,” Vera insisted.
Olivia glanced at him, her smile even brighter and her blue eyes twinkling. “Yes, of course. Thank you for including me.” She squeaked with glee.
The ladies quickly made their plans, Olivia an obvious fan girl of the illustrious Allegra Vanetti.
He couldn’t blame her. Allegra had been an international supermodel years ago, before taking over for her grandmother at Sophisto Moda. Her family owned the international publishing and mass media empire Vanetti Global Media, founded in 1925. Allegra was a huge fashion influencer in Italy and throughout Europe and had made a name for herself in the U.S. She was regarded as one of the most influential figures in fashion.
Allegra was also Sergio’s former lover from several years back. Their brief “relationship” had ended amicably, and they’d remained close friends.
Sergio quickly ushered Olivia outside to his mother’s white Rolls-Royce Phantom after the women had finished making their Sunday brunch plans. The February air was brisk, and he doubted Olivia’s heavily lined denim jacket would keep her warm for long. The interior of the car was warm and cozy.
“You’re sure we’ll get there in time?” Olivia asked, her smile never dimming as she glanced around the car’s interior in awe.
Sergio wished she had sat closer to him but wasn’t going to push. They’d only just met, and she was young. He shouldn’t have even contemplated pursuing her, considering there had to be at least a ten-year age gap between them, but he was unable to resist.
“You’re going to be rather early. These shows normally begin fifteen to thirty minutes late. We’ll be there in plenty of time for you to get ready. You can relax and enjoy the ride. You said you’re new in town. Where are you from?” Sergio needed to know everything about her.
When Olivia focused her sparkling blues on him, his heart tripped. Shit, he was utterly enchanted by the golden-haired goddess.
She shrugged and offered a warm smile. “I’m from Orrville, Ohio. My family owns the Wilson Dairy Company. We manufacture the very best hormone free, least processed, preservative free milk products and super premium ice cream on the market.”
So, she was a farmer’s daughter? Why did that make her even more appealing to Sergio?
“Were you at Grand Walhstrom visiting your mother at work? And she has a Rolls-Royce? Is she the hotel manager?”
She was adorable. He knew they paid the hotel and resort staff well, but not enough for that kind of luxury.
“My mother’s side of the family owns the Walhstrom chain of hotels and resorts as well as a vast real estate portfolio. Her name is Justine Walhstrom. My father’s side of the family owns Martinez Designs. My Aunt Silvia and my father started the company in Bogotá. He and my mother met when Walhstrom’s was expanding in Colombia.” When worry marred Olivia’s lovely face, Sergio wondered if he’d scared her. His family’s wealth could be intimidating to some.
“Wow. Well…Wilson Dairy is on track to become a billion-dollar company soon.” Olivia announced proudly.
Sergio didn’t doubt it. Wilson Dairy’s milk and ice cream were exceptional. Olivia should be proud of her family’s success. Although he understood why she accepted a position as a Delcinia Darling, but he wondered why she wasn’t interested in working in her family’s business.
As they made their way to Lincoln Center, Olivia explained her ambitious plans for the future and Sergio found himself even more smitten. She was not only beautiful, but intelligent and business minded. And he learned she had a brown “pet” cow named Betsy with a heart shaped patch of white fur on her forehead. Olivia Wilson was one of a kind.
After Sergio escorted her to Vera and Henry Delair in plenty of time to get ready, he kissed Olivia on the cheek. Her eyes widened in surprise. Her skin warm and soft, she smelled of lavender. In front of the cameras and film crew documenting the show, he stiffened in his pants and quickly excused himself before he embarrassed them all.
He took his seat in the front row, next to Allegra Vanetti and donned his dark sunglasses. Allegra was impeccably dressed in a black lace jumpsuit and satin floor length skirt suit combination.
She raised a curious brow over her own dark shades. “Questo è interessante.”
