It was from Katerina, asking me if I fancied going on a double-date that evening. There were hardly any details about it, just the name of the restaurant and the time they’d be there. I had half a mind to crumple up the note and pretend I hadn’t seen it, but there was a small, minuscule chance they were setting me up with Gianluca, and so for that reason, I went.
…
Everyone was already seated by the time I arrived at Belforte. The restaurant was a bit nicer than the place we’d eaten the night before and I was glad I’d slipped on a pair of flats instead of flip-flops. Katerina saw me approach and her face split in two with an infectious grin. She and Massimo stood, and then my date stood as well.
I felt my smile falter as his features came into view. It wasn’t Gianluca. It was a very handsome man, but my appreciation for his features felt forced after realizing I’d wanted him to be someone else.
“Georgie! This is our friend Paolo!”
The man rushed forward to kiss me on either cheek and I was engulfed in a sweet smelling cologne. I was stiff at first, a bit awkward as we went through introductions and protocol. He held out my chair for me as Katerina explained how everyone knew each other.
“Paolo helps Massimo up at the farm, although I think they actually just drink and take naps up there all day.”
I nodded and slid my gaze over, trying to get a good look at him.
He had rich black hair, quite a few shades darker than Gianluca’s, and striking pale green eyes. The combination held my attention so well I didn’t hear him ask me a question until he’d repeated it a second time.
“You’re traveling in Italy?”
His English was strained and unpracticed, but it only added to his appeal.
“Yes,” I grinned. “Only for the last week or so. I was in Rome until I came here.”
“Did you like it?”
I caught a twinkle in his eye that told me he didn’t want the standard response. “Quite crowded, isn’t it?”
He grinned, wide. “Did you see the Colosseum, then? The Pantheon?”
“Well I saw the outside of the Colosseum, but not much else. The queue went on for nearly two hours it seemed.”
He nodded in agreement. “Cinque Terre…è meglio, no?”
I looked to Katerina for help, but Massimo chimed in first. “Better here?”
I laughed and nodded. “It’s amazing. I actually went over to Monterosso today, down to the beach.”
Katerina moaned. “I wish you’d asked me to come along! It’s been months since I’ve managed to get over there.”
I kicked myself for not thinking of the idea myself. I would have enjoyed a bit of company. “I didn’t know if you’d be working at the market or not.”
“No, no.” She shook her head. “Most days, I keep a clothing shop just along the main road off the square. It’s only open in the late morning and early afternoon, when the tourists are really out and about.”
I grinned. “Perfect, then I’ll come by the shop before you close up to have a look around and then we’ll go swimming.”
She nodded, excited. “Tomorrow?”
Paolo laughed and turned to Massimo, rattling off fast Italian.
Massimo turned to me with a cheeky smile. “He says he’s supposed to be the one asking you on a second date, not Katerina.”
I blushed and adjusted the napkin on my lap. That’s right. There I was on a double date and I’d been more interested in chatting with Katerina than I was in getting to know Paolo. After that, I made a real effort with him, turning my body toward him so he’d have my full attention.
He told me about his work up at Massimo’s farm, how they were currently harvesting the summer produce.
“Big, ripe zucchinis and fat lemons. We grow them there and then bring them down for Massimo to use in his restaurant.”
“You should bring some for Georgie!” Katerina chimed in.
“Oh, no. It’s all right. I’ve only got the small room and there’s no kitchen or anything. I’d just let them go to waste.”
Paolo’s smile fell as if I’d turned him down instead of the vegetables. I laid on the sweetness, assuring him I’d take a lemon or two, but it didn’t really help.
After that, the four of us sat in silence, waiting for the food. Paolo had ordered us the fish of the day and when they brought it out from the kitchen, it was presented in a massive tin pan, a few inches deep in sea salt.
The waiter turned it down for us to see, we clapped and smiled, and then he set about cleaning it and serving it up on plates for us.
“It’s lovely,” I said, leaning into Paolo. “Thank you.”
And then Paolo took a big bite of fish and chewed…with his mouth open.
I understand that for some people, it wouldn’t mean much, but for me, it was a deal breaker. His gnashing teeth gave me flashbacks to my blind date with Chompers, and I knew whatever chemistry we might’ve had was extinguished. I didn’t know where mums had gone wrong teaching table manners to their sons, but I wasn’t having it.
Katerina nudged me beneath the table to get my attention and when I glanced over, she tilted her head, trying to get a read on the situation.
“Good?” she mouthed.
I knew she wasn’t talking about the fish.
“Mmhmm,” I said, but I shook my head no, gently enough so the boys couldn’t see.
After dinner, Katerina insisted on walking me home, telling the boys we had things to discuss. I hugged Paolo and thanked him for dinner. Though I’d tried to split our bill down the middle, he’d insisted on paying, which I thought was very kind.