Page 53 of Winter With You

‘People don’t ever say things like that and really mean it.’

‘No?’

‘Not in my experience,’ Gabriella said.

‘OK,’ Luca said, nodding. ‘So, you want to try my recommendation?’

‘Sure,’ Gabriella agreed, closing her menu. ‘But with bacon.’

‘OK,’ Luca said. ‘And to drink?’

‘Ah, well that’s easy. I’ll have the Winter Tonic cocktail. There’s nothing better than hot alcohol when it’s December.’

He called the waiter over. ‘So, can we have two Chinatown Egg and Cheese Sandos and two Winter Tonics?’

‘And one of those sandos with a side of bacon,’ Gabriella said.

‘No, actually, we would like all the sides,’ Luca ordered.

Gabriella shook her head but there was a smile on her face as she passed the waiter her menu. And, for some reason, that pleased him…

‘A man of your word,’ Gabriella commented. ‘I hope you’re going to eat the yoghurt and the tofu.’

‘I hope you’re not going to take all the sausage.’

‘Oh, so we’re in a food challenge now?’

‘Absolutely not,’ he answered. ‘We’re just going to enjoy it. Maybe eat with our fingers and use the serviettes.’

Gabriella smiled. ‘You’re not what I expected a stylist to be like.’

‘Well, for one, you expected a woman.’

‘No,’ she said. But then… ‘OK, maybe yes.’

He laughed. ‘I mean it’s not a new thing. I get it all the time. People think men can’t style. Or, predominately, people think that men can’t style women. But some of the greatest fashion designers are men and they’ve been dressing and styling women for years so, go figure.’

‘But it’s still a career choice that’s in the minority, right? So, what made you choose it?’

There were two answers. He only ever shared one. How could he ever share the other? And as his mind battled with that conundrum his mouth forged forth.

‘Couldn’t make it on Broadway,’ he answered, deadpan expression in place.

‘So you thought, can’t hold a place in the chorus line, I need to dress it?’

‘Are you making fun of me?’ he asked.

‘Not at all. Just trying to get a gauge on you.’

‘A gauge?’

‘The fact you made a joke about why you chose to be a stylist and didn’t actually answer…’

‘It’s telling you what?’

‘You have something to hide?’

He shook his head as the feeling like worms were writhing in his stomach infiltrated. ‘I’ve nothing to hide. To be completely honest, fashion is the only thing I’ve been any good at. Since the year I styled my sister for a high school competition. Britney meets The Terminator meets Camp Rock. Do you see the vision?’