Page 120 of Effortless

“Let’s not get into that old conversation,” Tommaso said, shaking his head. “It’s not worth the effort.”

“Because New York is—”

“Not the best,” Tommaso interjected fast.

Camilla rolled her eyes, saying under her breath, “Says you.”

“And me,” the unknown guy added.

“Me, too,” Adriano said, shrugging. “It’s a little dirty, Camilla. That’s all.”

“Yeah, well, fuck all of you, too.”

Laughter rumbled through the room. Their teasing didn’t really bother her. If anything, it made her feel more welcome. She certainly didn’t want Tommaso’s family and friends tiptoeing around her.

“Are you going to introduce us, or what?” the unknown guy asked.

Tommaso waved between Camilla and the man. “Cam, this is Lou. We’ve been friends for years. Lou, this is Cam. She’s none of your business.”

Camilla smacked Tommaso on his arm, and then held a hand out to Lou. “Nice to meet you, and ignore him.”

Lou flipped Tommaso the middle finger after he shook Camilla’s hand. “You could have mentioned …” The guy trailed off, and nodded in Camilla’s direction. “You know.”

“None of your business.”

“Tommaso,” Camilla said.

Tommaso only shrugged, but said nothing.

Adriano sighed heavily, and came around the desk. “Someone—not saying who, but it’s Tommaso—doesn’t like to share things. We blame it on the age difference between him and his sisters. He was spoiled rotten for too long by his mother and father, and it shows every day of his life.”

“It is not pick on Tom day,” Tommaso muttered. “Give me the paperwork you wanted me to drop off to Tommas.”

“Every day is pick on you day when you bring a girl to work,” Lou said, smirking.

Camilla hid her smile by looking away. Apparently, she didn’t need to worry about a damn thing, or feeling out of place. It was … good.

Easy.

“Seriously, get me the paperwork before I leave without it,” Tommaso said. “I’m not staying here for longer than I have to, if I have to listen to this shit.”

Adriano pointed a single finger at Tommaso, but started digging in the desk. “Watch it, nipote.”

Tommaso wasn’t even paying attention to his uncle. He had already moved onto his friend again.

“Pick on me, huh?” Tommaso asked.

Lou nodded. “Yeah, sorry, man.”

“I’ll remember not to give you a call when we all head to Joe and Cory’s club opening up tonight, then.”

“The new one downtown?” Lou asked.

Tommaso shrugged. “Not for you.”

Camilla knew Tommaso was just bothering his friend, but she decided to step in. After all, she might need the guy on her side someday. She pulled out her phone, and turned the screen on.

Handing it over to Lou, she said, “Plug your contact in. I’ll call you when we’re leaving.”