Page 361 of Valentino

“Tomorrow night, dinner?”

“Aha.”

“I will pick you up?”

“No. I’ll meet you there.”

At least I got one thing on my checklist achieved.

“I’ll book somewhere and get back to you.”

“Okay.” I hang on the line with bated breath as I wait for his next sentence.

“Goodbye Halle.” He breathes, promise hangs in the air between us.

“Goodbye Bruno.”

* * *

Friday night and I’m pimped within an inch of my life. Tanned and waxed, my makeup is natural and I’m good to go in any situation if you know what I mean.

My long blonde hair is out with full waves and my make up is natural. I even bought a new dress, it’s cream and strapless and it fits perfectly. It was way out of my price range but once I tried it on I knew that nothing else would compare.

Seeing this is the most excited I’ve ever been about a date I figured screw the budget.

You only live once, right?

I’ve been ready for an hour and sip my wine as I wait for the uber, there is one thing on my mind though, an annoying little voice from deep in my psyche that won’t go away, the girls warning about him the other night.

They are not the kind of men you mess with.

What does that even mean, are they players or something more sinister.

I can’t find him on social media and seeing I don’t even know his surname I can’t search anything up about him.

I can’t get ahead of myself here; I need to know what I’m dealing with and the first mission tonight is to find out his full name. I can’t believe I didn’t ask for it already, let’s just hope he’s not a serial killer who’s wanted in ten countries.

Driver arriving in one minute.

I tip my head back and drain my glass of Dutch courage.

Let’s do this.

* * *

I walk down the street, my eyes flicking between the strip of restaurants I’m walking past and maps on my phone, I think it should be just down here. I finally see the gold sign hanging over the door.

G U I S E P E S.

Wow, this looks nice.

I push through the heavy doors, “Hello, may I help you?” The waiter asks.

“Yes, I’m…” I glance around, “Meeting someone here.” I see him over in the corner, he stands and I wave. “That’s him over there.” I smile relieved, we both showed so the night isn’t a total disaster …yet.

The waiter leads me to over to the table and Bruno smiles and kisses my cheek, “Ciao Halle.”

My stomach flips at the sound of his voice, what is it about this guy?