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Chapter Twelve
The more I thought about it, the more I was warming to the idea. I’d always been a proactive, go-getting person who hadn’t waited for things to fall in my lap, and the whole essence of MAP was about seizing the day and living life. So if I fancied Lorenzo, I should just go for it.
Just think, if I did, and assuming he didn’t laugh in my face, I’d also be able to tick goal number three, ‘experience passion’, off my list.
The slight spanner in the works was that, for some reason, he didn’t seem to like me. But let’s think positively: if he could like all of those other women, I must be able to persuade him. Yes, yes, I know ordinarily, you shouldn’t have to persuade a guy to like you. But I had a goal which I was determined to achieve, so this was purely a means to an end…
My job was all about promoting people and products and convincing men and women of different ages and backgrounds to buy into something. So with all my experience, whipping up a miniI’m going to fall madly in lust with Sophia and snog her face offcampaign in the next few hours should be a walk in the park.
Well, in life there are no guarantees, but as Roxy so eloquently put it the other day, in order to score a goal, you must first be on the pitch. Therefore tonight, I would act like I’d been firmly and unequivocally superglued to the grounds at Old Trafford.
I had half an hour until we were due back downstairs for the final cookery lesson. So firstly, I’d dial the glamour up a notch. We already discussed as a group that we weren’t getting changed for dinner, so I wouldn’t put on anything new, but Iwouldreapply my make-up, zhush up my hair, and spritz on my favourite perfume—and Iwouldprepare a plan of action.
When I went downstairs, I would be bubbly, I would be outgoing, I would lavish Lorenzo with attention and even though I couldn’t entirely remember how to, I would flirt. What’s more, if he gave me steely, stern, mean looks, I would kill him with kindness by smiling and fluttering my eyelashes.
I would be so irresistible and charming that he would feel ridiculous and silly to be frowning at someone who was so lovely and warm to him.
Pep talk over. Let’s do this.
By the time I had to head down to re-join the group, I was pumped full of energy and ready and raring to put my plan into place. Setting my sights on a man and being determined to make him mine for the night felt a little naughty, but why shouldn’t I try? Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
I picked my phone up off the wooden bedside table, as I wanted to take lots of photos tonight. Not just of the food we were making which I’d been doing constantly since we’d arrived, but it would also be great to get some more nice pics of Grace, Fran, Dan and me altogether, and somehow, I also had to get some snaps of Lorenzo so I could show Roxy and Bella how hot he was.
I arrived at the kitchen, where Lorenzo was preparing some bowls of ingredients for our lesson.
‘Hello, Lorenzo,’ I said warmly.
He looked up, his eyes widening as they had done this morning and he smirked a little.
‘Buonasera.’
Well, well. I actually got a reply this time. That’s progress.
‘So how was your day?’ I said, flirtatiously cocking my head to one side. He seemed a little surprised that I was engaging in conversation with him, but he answered anyway.
‘Was good, thanks,’ he said in his gorgeous accent. ‘And you?’
‘Very nice, thank you. Or should I saybene?’ I said, pleased that I was able to remember a whole word in Italian. ‘I enjoyed visiting Florence. I’m really looking forward to this cookery lesson tonight, though. Can’t believe we’ll be going home tomorrow as I’m having so much fun. You’ve beenreallypatient with me and are teaching ussomany amazing dishes, so thank you.’
Hold up…he actually cracked a smile. He’s even blushing a bit…
‘Grazie,’ he replied, his smile widening further. ‘You are a nice group. I enjoy cooking with you too.’
And just as I was getting warmed up, Fran, Grace and Dan spilled into the kitchen. Dammit. I smiled again, gave him another breezy flutter of the eyelashes and headed to the other corner of the room.
Erica then came in from outside.
‘Okay, so our lesson starts in five minutes,’ she announced.
‘That’s great, actually. I thought maybe we could take some pictures now, whilst we’re all still standing,’ I said, reaching for my phone. ‘I’m imagining as it’s our last night, the prosecco will be in full flow, so we won’t be looking as photogenic later!’
‘Great idea!’ enthused Fran. With that, I flicked left on my iPhone to bring up the camera screen and encouraged Fran, Grace and Dan to huddle together so I could take a shot of the three of them. Perfect. Now, I needed a group shot.
‘Erica, would you mind taking a photo of the four of us together, please?’
‘No problem,’ she said, holding her hand out to take my phone.
I handed her my mobile, then joined the group as she snapped away. I had a quick flick through the pictures on the screen. Yep, there were some good’uns in there.
