“The location should be enough.” Rafe’s patience was stretched thin; listening to inebriated women fell into his don’t-give-a-fuck category.
“Degli! That’s the first part. Or was it—”
“That’s a start,” he interrupted as politely as possible. “One last question. Any idea on size? I could check on the dress”—if the cleaning crew hadn’t tossed it by now—“but in case the label is gone. I’m hoping to surprise Nicole.”
“Then mum’s the word,” Fiona said with a giggle. “She wears a size four—that’s American, so whatever it is over here—you’d have to ask. But she’ll love anything you buy at that shop.”
“Thanks. I appreciate your help. Wait—shoe size?” And he listened through a long description of possible sizes depending on shoe style until he finally did lose patience. “I think I got it. Sandals, heels, sneakers”—he listed off the sizes.
“Man, you’re on top of things”—Fiona giggled—“like, in a good way.”
“Now to see if I can find that dress,” he said, deliberately changing the subject. “Thanks again. Could you put Jack back on the phone?”
“What’s up?” Jack’s lazy drawl indicated he was well on his way to getting wasted.
“Are you sober enough to remember what I’m saying?” Rafe spoke in Italian, in the event Fiona was close enough to hear.
“Probably,” Jack replied in English, not wishing to be rude. “Text me if it’s important.”
“I’ll text you the details, but a couple questions right now. Can you keep Fiona interested for a month?”
“Jesus.”
“Watch what you’re saying in front of her.”
“No shit.”
“I’ll pay, of course. Whatever.”
“Hey, hey, Fiona, don’t go far. Okay, one more for me too. Make it two. There. She went to get us drinks at a bar on the beach. We’re in a party mood like everyone else here,” Jack said, switching to Italian. “Doing shots. She likes the pretty colored ones.”
“Good for her,” Rafe said drily. “Just don’t lose her in the damned crowd. I’d be seriously pissed.”
“Chill. I’m watching her, yeah, yeah, she’s not going far. By the way, she rocks; I like her. When you asked me about a month, you just caught me by surprise. I’m not averse to the action. But a month for you, dude. Is the world coming to an end?”
“Sometimes it fucking feels like it. But in a good way. So go anywhere you want, do anything you want, so long as you keep Fiona satisfied and out of my hair. That’s about it.”
“Christ, don’t hang up when you’ve just told me you’re staying with one woman for a month. I need details for that kinda crazy.”
“Too fucking bad.”
“Okay, one question. What’s different about this woman?”
Rafe laughed. “Everything. That’s all you’re getting. Make sure Fiona calls Nicole in the morning. I want everyone happy.”
“You most of all.”
“Naturally.”
“Seriously, thanks Rafe. I’m having a good time too.”
“Buy Fiona some nice stuff, take her shopping. Women like that.”
“How would you know? You don’t shop with your one-night stands.”
“Some of them shop afterward, okay? I get thank-you notes.”
“I didn’t know people still sent thank-you notes.”
“Depends how much they spend,” Rafe said casually.
“Or if they’re hoping for a second hookup.”
“As if that’s going to happen.”
“But Nicole’s different—right?” Jack’s voice was mellow with liquor and friendship.
“Right. Which reminds me—you’re on the clock for the full month regardless of whether I last that long or not. Your call. And for Christ’s sake don’t discuss any of this with Fiona.”
“Your secrets are safe with me; we’re family, dude. But, no shit, I’m consumed with burning curiosity about your upcoming holiday.”
Rafe laughed. “Not as much as me. Ciao.”
After a glance at the time on his phone—midnight—Rafe’s next call was to a personal shopper he used to buy gifts for his mother. “Sorry to wake you,” he said with cultivated politesse. Although Alessandra was extremely well paid, so he wasn’t unduly concerned about the late hour.
“You didn’t wake me. I’m just back from dinner. What can I do for you?”
“I have a commission right there in Rome, although you’re going to have to wake up some people. I need these things in Monaco by morning.”