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“Luca”
Both their steps halted as they turned together toward the voice Mari stared at the most beautiful woance, style She was dressed in a trouser suit of dove-gray silk withheels, her nearly black hair flawlessly styled around a heart-shaped face, dominated by brown eyes and the thickest set of natural lashes Mari had ever seen
“Gina”
Mari could only gape as Luca dropped the picnic basket and crossed the floor with long strides, gathered the wo her around
When he put her down, she laughed out loud “I missed you” She cupped his face and kissed one side, then the other
“And I you What are you doing here?”
“I came to see you Aren’t I allowed?” The s
The Italian accent was clear Mari didn’t understand the spurt of jealousy she felt nor did she like standing in thedaft She bent to pick up the abandoned basket The picnic had been two co-workers, not lovers, so there was no reason for her to be jealous now She had work to do She’d return this to the kitchen and go back to her office
As she bent down, the woman spied her “Luca, introduce me to your friend”
Mari straightened slowly
“Of course” Tugging the wo She felt more stupid by the second, eer of the hotel, in jeans, a sweater, with her hair in a windblown tangle, talking to a woht dead in such a state Not only that, but the scenario was so predictable it even irlfriend She should have foreseen Instead she was caught looking provincial and aard A caricature
“Gina, this is Mariella Ross, the er of the hotel”
Gina held out a hand Mari shook it and then looked down She’d expected soft, perfectly manicured hands with sculpted talons for nails Instead the hands were gentle but plain, with neatly trimmed nails painted only with clear polish
“Mari, this is my sister, Gina”
Mari’s flush deepened Oh, would she ever stop feeling stupid?
Gina’s light laugh echoed “Luca, I’m offended You didn’t tell her you had a sister?
Mari looked up but to her relief Gina’s eyes held nothing but huht off The same color eyes, the same shaped lips “He hasn’t said a word about his family”