Page 198 of The Italian Obsession

“Right?” she huffs.

“So, your boyfriend’s family is here in Milan?” I ask.

She shakes her head. “No, he’s from Naples. He moved here for a new job. Started three days after I arrived, so he doesn’t know anyone, either. We’re like complete losers with no friends.”

“We’ll have to go out for dinner sometime—the four of us. Oh, and my best friend is here from Australia, too. I’ll introduce you to her. She’s lovely. Mad as all hell, but so much fun. I tried to get her to come this morning but she’s starting a new job today.”

“Where did she look for her job? Is there a website or something? I have no idea where to even start.”

“I’ll ask her and text you. Remind me to get your number before I leave.” I’m so unfit, I can hardly talk while I walk.

“That would be great. I think when I find a good base of friends, I’ll be fine. What’s your boyfriend like?”

Oh, jeez, what do I say to that? “Quiet and bossy.” I smile. “He likes to get his own way.”

She laughs. “Don’t they all?”

“I guess.”

“How did you meet him?”

“We met in Rome two years ago. Things didn’t turn out, so I went home to Australia. I moved back here for a job just recently and we ran into each other.”

Jennifer smiles as she listens. “Sounds romantic, and it’s obviously serious?”

“Yeah, it is. It turned serious really quick, actually. We fell in love last time we met, and then as soon as we reconnected and we got over a few teething problems, it was all systems go.”

“It was obviously meant to be.”

“I think so.” I smile. “I moved in with him nearly immediately.” I walk up the incline on the treadmill. I don’t know why I put this thing on such a steep setting.

“Yeah, well, I’m not sure about this living with him thing yet. Maybe we’re about to have teething problems, too. As in, me knocking his out.”

We both laugh. She’s funny.

“Okay, my warm-up is done,” she says. “I have to do arms today. Thanks for that. Just ask your friend if she used a job agency or what way she thinks I should go.”

“Okay.” I smile. “I’ll come get your number before I go so I can text you later.”

“That’d be great, thank you so much.”

I watch her walk over to the weights area. A guy says something to her and she laughs out loud. She’s so typically Australian—relaxed and carefree.

I like her. I’m going to make an effort to get to know her better. It would be nice to have another friend here. I’ll have to remember to call Nat for her later.

I turn up the speed on my treadmill and start to run. Hot body, here I come.

________

It’s 1:00 p.m. when Giorgio comes swanning into my office with two cups of coffee in hand.

“Hello, my darling. I came for our afternoon tea.” He holds up a brown paper bag and gives it a shake.

I look up from my computer and smile. “Is that cake?”

Please let it be cake. I’m tired of eating healthy already. It’s been eight whole hours and I’m feeling weak.

He passes my coffee and hands me the bag over. “Almond biscotti.”