AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Chapter Eight
Snooker, darts, golf. Snooker, darts, golf. Snooker, darts, golf…
I was reciting the most boring sports over and over in my head so I could try and take my mind off the Italian god who was now sitting directly opposite me in the living room of this stunning Tuscan villa. He looked hot in his fitted black chef’s jacket and blue jeans. Good Lord. Even thinking about sleep-inducing sports couldn’t stop the tingles that were racing through my body right now.
Katherine from Taste Holidays had, in my opinion, dramatically undersold the beauty of this place. The pictures on the website and in the brochure must be years out of date, as contrary to the old-fashioned décor and furniture that was in those photos, this place was airy, welcoming and beautifully maintained.
The rooms were spacious, with wooden beams going across the ceiling; there were lovely ceramic tiles adorning the floors, bright white walls, and the views—oh my goodness. From every window there were endless acres of vineyards, olive groves, woodlands and rolling lush green hills. It was breathtaking.
Much like this Italian stallion Lorenzo.
Francesca, Grace and Daniel were also seated on the sofa, and whilst we waited for Erica to return from the kitchen, we started chatting amongst ourselves.
Erica bounded into the room, skilfully clutching six champagne flutes, which she laid on the coffee table in the centre before returning to the kitchen and coming back armed with two bottles of prosecco.
Her short brown hair was tucked neatly behind her ears. She wasn’t wearing a scrap of make-up, but her olive skin still glowed.
‘So, everybody,’ said Erica smiling warmly. ‘Welcome to Taste Holidays. We are delighted to have you here with us. I hope you all love this beautiful villa that will be your home for four days and that you are ready to learn how to cook lots of delicious Italian dishes.’
She popped open the bottles and poured a generous amount of prosecco into each of our glasses.
‘Saluti!’ she said, raising her glass in the air. ‘To a fantastic holiday, great food, great wine and great company.’
‘Hear, hear!’ added Daniel enthusiastically as he also raised his glass.
I picked up mine.Oh shit. It’s dirty. My annoying cleanliness OCD was kicking in again.
If I was at a restaurant, I could just ask for another one. But this was different. I clinked my glass with everyone and put on my best forced smile whilst I worked out my next move. I had to live with these people for almost a week. If I started getting all weird now and asking for another glass, they’d think I’m a diva and it would dampen the mood of the holiday, which I didn’t want. Once again I reminded myself of point number 7 and what I’d said at the airport. I would embraceeverything. That meant all my tics, OCD and fussiness needed to stop here.
I rotated the flute so that the ‘dirty’ bit was on the opposite side and swiftly took a large sip before I changed my mind.Mmm. That tastes so good.Well, what do you know? I’d drunk from a dirty glass and I was still alive. Progress.
Erica sat down next to Lorenzo.
Oh.
Hold on. How did I not notice this before?They must be a couple or married or something, as she was sitting very close to him (don’t bloody blame her) and she just touched his leg. Silly me, thinking a hot guy like him would be single. They weren’t wearing rings, but maybe they took them off to cook?There goes another hot Italian arse fantasy.
‘So, in a moment, I will show you to your rooms and give you some time to settle in,’ explained Erica. ‘There are four bedrooms in this building. One next to the kitchen and three upstairs. Lorenzo and I will stay in the building opposite this.’
See. Knew it. They’re definitely together.
‘Oh?’ exclaimed Francesca a little too loudly. ‘So you guys are together, then?’Francesca, you goddess. You totally read my mind.I’d wanted to ask but would never have done it so brazenly.
‘No, no, it is not like that,’ said Lorenzo emphatically in his sexy Italian accent.
Wait. I think he just said they’re not together, didn’t he?
Praise the Lord. Prosecco all round.
‘No, we are just friends,’ Erica added. I couldn’t help but think that she wasn’t entirely happy with the whole ‘friends’ thing, and who would be with a guy like that?
‘We have known each other for a long time and worked together for Taste Holidays for several years. We are like…like, brother and sister,’ said Erica, bowing her head.
Hmmm. I think there’s more to this story than meets the eye…
And just like that, Francesca and I both glanced at each other with a slyyeah, yeah, whatever you saylook. We were thinking the same thing. Could this be a classic case of unrequited love?
Keen to change the subject, Erica continued. ‘After you have settled into your rooms, in half an hour, we will have a lunch that Lorenzo has prepared for us in the dining room. Then at four p.m., you will have your first cookery lesson.’
