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“You’re teasing me, aren’t you?”
Hunter holds my chair out for me. I sit down, looking across at him as he takes his seat. He’s smiling at me like he knows what I’m about to say. I try to keep my mouth shut, but I can’t do it. “I hope you don’t mind me ordering for us both.”
“Course not. Want to chew my food for me as well? Save me the trouble.”
Antonio sticks his head around the door. “Lui e qui.”
“Would you excuse me for just a moment?” Hunter says, getting to his feet and folding his napkin before dropping it on the table. “Won’t be long.” His expression has changed. The humor and warmth have all gone. Now what I see is enough to make me shudder as he walks away. He looks like Oswald used to just before his fists started flying.
I dig out my cell phone from my handbag as I’m left alone. I take a photo of the table and send it straight to Ursula. I type a caption to go along with it.
Guess where I am?
That looks like G and A crockery. Holy shit, did you win the lottery or something?
Got invited to breakfast here.
Lucky you. Tell me more.
That is a long story.
I’ve got time. Melanie’s still on the phone with Paris. They sent over the samples in goldenrod instead of sunset yellow. She’ll be hours yet.
Well, brace yourself. Oswald followed me. Again.
Holy shit times ten. Are you all right? Did he hurt you?
I’m fine. He couldn’t get in through the window.
The restaurant window? Where is he now? He’s not still with you, is he? Do I need to call the cops?
No need. He’s already been arrested back at the hotel. Who knows what they’ll charge him with. I just hope they keep him here when I come home.
Fingers crossed. Jeez, Bex. I’m so sorry. I didn’t think he’d take it this far. I honestly thought he’d give up after the restraining order.
Guess not.
Hopefully, the Italian police will keep him locked up for breaching it. Does that kind of thing cross international borders?
I guess we’ll see. Not sure how he found me, though. Any ideas?
I told you, you need to get a new phone. He’s probably got some tracking software buried in it somewhere.
I got rid of the one I had when we were together. This is the work phone. If I tell Melanie I need another new one, I have to tell her why and that’s a whole can of worms I don’t want to open. You know how much she hates drama.
You can’t keep that one if he’s tracking it like the last one. Shit, he might be reading this. ‘If you are, Oswald, you’re a perverted ancient prick who needs to leave my roommate alone before I cut your fucking balls off.’ Do you think that helped?
The curse jar will be grateful for all those dimes, that’s for sure.
The door opens, and Antonio comes in carrying two silver trays. A waiter follows a few feet behind him, bringing coffee in a tall porcelain pot.
Talk later.
As the trays are brought over to the table, I put my phone back in my handbag. The waiter acts like I’m related to the Pope. He bows low, pouring the coffee, muttering apologies in English and Italian for keeping me waiting.
“You like the sculpture,” Antonio says. “Hunter told me. You are a Bernini scholar?”
“Hardly. I do like it, though.”
