Page 49 of Cinderella-ish
Chapter 21
Daniella
The starlit skycreeps through the open window shade as I sluggishly awaken from, what seems like hours ofsleep.
A smile looms on my face upon my reflection of the last encounter I had with Antonio before I slid out of my clothes, showered, and eased into this small, yet cozy twin-sizedbed.
He’s amusing, warmhearted, sexy, and…charming.
And Nonna is everything I imagined a loving grandma to be with her grayish hair, black-rimmed eyeglasses, and warm smile. I have been trying to dismiss the fact that I assumed she was his Italian hottie. That’ll teach me to ever make irrational judgments again. Watching the way Antonio looks up to his grandma made me all warm and fuzzy inside, immediately causing me to think that once I’m over this swearing-off-men phase, finding a man like him will be the top of my wishlist.
The digital clock on the dresser blinks continuously—evidently it hasn’t been programmed in quite sometime.
I pick up my phone to check the time, certain I’ve already slept most of the night away. By the time I got out of the shower and dried off, I practically crawled intobed.
Butshit.
It’s only 11 p.m., meaning I’ve slept for a whopping threehours.
So, nowwhat?
It’s not like I can just turn over and instantly fall back tosleep.
This jet lag thing is pretty fuckedup.
Maybe Antonio is awake,too.
After debating in my head whether I should send him a text or not, I finally decide to go forit.
Me: Hi. Are you awake? I can’t seem to fall back tosleep.
Antonio: In the dining room working and eating gelato. Why don’t you join me? I can use some feedback on these sketchrevisions.
I think for at least two minutes before Ireply.
Me: Okay. I’m on myway.
Peeling back the covers, the cold air hits my bare skin, causing goose bumps to surface all over my naked body. Perhaps I’ll have to rethink this sleeping in the nude thing while I’m in this much colderclimate.
I leap out of bed and run into the bathroom, finding sweatpants and a T-shirt, and a cardigan sweater in my overnight bag, slipping into them quickly before making my way out to the diningroom.
Antonio sits, shirt partially unbuttoned, hair slightly awry, and he’s wearing eyeglasses. He looks like a young hot professor that every girl in the class has a secret crushon.
I slide into the chair across from his. “Hi.”
He looks up from his tablet, startled. “Hey. I didn’t even hear you come in.” He removes his glasses. “Would you like some gelato? It’s reallygood.”
“Gelato? I am freezing! Plus, I doubt that it will help mesleep.”
He laughs. “I doubt that too. How about some chamomile tea then? That will help you fall asleep. And I will turn on the heater. I guess I hadn’t noticed it is a little cold inhere.”
“Thanks. And I’d love some tea. Where isit?”
“Oh no, allow me. Why don’t you come sit down here and take a look at these designs? Tell me what you think.” He stands, gesturing for me to sit in his chair and then he disappears into the kitchen to make my tea while I peruse thedesigns.
He’s got skills, that’s for sure. Endless lines of exquisite detail. No wonder his line of lingerie sells the volume itdoes.
He returns, hot cup of tea in hand. “Here you go.” While easing into the seat next to mine, he sets the cup on the table. “So, what do you think? Feedback,please.”
