The Italian's Touch (Promotional Presents) by Carol Marinelli

Author:Carol Marinelli [Marinelli, Carol]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781460377789
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2015-02-14T17:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER EIGHT

FLEUR wasn’t sure who was more excited—Alex, at the prospect of his long-awaited first sleep-over, or herself, at the prospect of a night alone with Mario. Over and over he’d reassured her that he didn’t expect anything she wasn’t ready to give. He just wanted a night away on neutral territory, a chance to be themselves without the constant interruptions and inevitable distractions that came hand in hand when you tried to conduct a relationship in a houseful of memories with an inquisitive seven-year-old in situ.

‘Where are you rushing off to?’ Kathy asked as Fleur flew into the changing room at the end of her shift on Friday, anxious to cram in her hairdresser’s appointment before the school run.

‘Nowhere special. I just want to get a few things done before I pick up the boys. How was Alex this morning?’

Kathy laughed as she pulled off her jeans and T-shirt and slipped on her uniform. ‘Thoroughly over-excited. Mind you, Ben’s just as bad. I pity Ricky’s parents—and Mario. They won’t be getting much sleep tonight. Hey, maybe we should offer Mario some refuge. He could come on a girls’ night out with us.’

Fleur suddenly took great interest in fiddling with her hair in the mirror.

‘How about it, Fleur? We could go down to the local pub have a bit of a laugh. It’s not every night we both get a babysitter at the same time.’

‘Maybe some other time,’ Fleur replied lightly, glad she had her back to Kathy as her face turned puce. The only trouble was, she’d forgotten about her reflection!

‘Fleur Hadley, I do believe you’re blushing.’

‘I am not.’ Fleur said indignantly.

‘Oh, yes, you are! You’re positively beetroot. You always were a useless liar. Come on, you can tell me. What are you up to?’

Fleur’s silence only confirmed Kathy’s suspicions. ‘You’ve already got a date, haven’t you?’

Fleur put her finger up to her lips. ‘Shh, Kathy, please,’ she said urgently.

‘You dark horse.’ Kathy grinned. ‘How come you didn’t tell me? Oh, come on, Fleur, who with? And stop shushing me. Nobody’s here and anyway why would they care?’ As the penny dropped, Kathy’s eyes widened like two saucers. ‘Unless, of course, it’s a date with Mario Ruffini!’ She let out a squeal of excitement as Fleur begged her to be quiet.

‘Kathy, it’s no big deal, really.’

But Kathy wasn’t going to let up. ‘Good for you, Fleur. He’s gorgeous. I’m even the tiniest smidgen jealous.’

‘Well, there’s no need to be. We’re just going out for a drink, it’s hardly anything to get worked up about.’

‘Fleur, this is me you’re talking to. When was the last time you just went out for a drink?’

‘All right, all right,’ Fleur relented. ‘Maybe it is a big deal, but you have to promise not to say anything. I mean it, Kathy. I’d die if this got out, it’s just way too early.’

‘My lips are sealed.’ Kathy grinned. ‘So long as you fill me in properly tomorrow, and I mean properly. I’ll bring the wine, you provide the chocolate.

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