Storming Venice: Book 2 by Anna Eriksson Bendewald

Author:Anna Eriksson Bendewald [Bendewald, Anna Eriksson]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Hudson-Ivy Press
Published: 2017-06-12T22:00:00+00:00

Alphonso ordered a seltzer and lime from the bartender and Zelph ordered a whiskey and soda before turning to check out the room. “I gotta tell you, Al, you clean up good. I haven’t seen you wear a suit since cousin Ophelia’s wedding.”

“In my line of work, I want to blend. Tonight, I want to look like I belong at The Gritti.”

“Boy, you were right about Giselle. I can’t think of a word for her kind of beauty! Shame you didn’t get any photos when you found her riding that blonde guy out in Gernelle when they thought no one was looking.”

“Eh, no matter how many drinks you have tonight, you’re not going to breathe a word of what we know about the Veronas.”

“Right, not even what Vincenzo and Leonardo are up to.” Zelph looked at his phone. “Carolette just texted. They’re here. I bet you can’t wait to get another look at Raphielli’s makeover.”

Alphonso felt an adolescent thrill as she walked across the room into his arms for a chaste embrace. People stared. The manager approached them. “This way to the Verona’s reserved table.”

Alphonso held a chair out for Raphielli. “What would you like to drink?”

“Water, please.”

“Here, taste this.” He let her have a sip of his.

“Mmm, that’s nice. What is it?”

“Club soda with lime.”

“I’ll have one of those.”

He gave the order to a hovering waiter and sat down next to her. “So, how was the show?”

“I had fun! I even shopped. I was with experts, and when I pointed to something the girls didn’t agree with, they told me.”

“Helpful,” he said.

“I bought some skirts and blouses for work. Here, look at the pictures on my phone.”

He glanced through the photos. Her new purchases were nicely cut skirts in pretty colors. One even came slightly above the knee. The outfits were conservative and modern. “You’ll look great in these.”

She accepted her drink from a waiter. “Ava promised she’d take me shopping and help me get everything I need for a proper wardrobe. We’re going before she returns to France.”

“That’s very nice of her.”

“Sì, Giselle’s friends are all nice. Imagine me having a wardrobe!” She sounded giddy.

“You deserve it.”

“A new me!” She grinned. “Did you see my shoes?” She lifted her glossy leg to show him the dainty shoes. “They have a heel. See?”

He reached down, felt a tiny little heel, and hid a grin. “Look at you in heels.”

A crowd flocked to the bar’s entrance and he looked up to see Juliette, Vincenzo, Leonardo, and Giselle’s buzzed blonde Russian artist consort come through the door as a group. People’s phones turned their way to snap photos. The bar and restaurant staff flew into action bringing bottles of champagne. They joined the group and congratulated Ava on her show, which was already being hailed as a “Smash of Fresh, Forward, and Feminine” or #AvaSFFF on social media.

Juliette gave seating orders, arranging for Markus and Carolette to be ensconced in a cozy corner of the huge table. “You two have been apart for too long.

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