Niki
Taking a deep breath, I punched in Gio’s number on my phone. As I waited for it to ring, as I nervously bit my lip.
“Gio, it’s Niki. Hey.”
“Bella, how are you? What brings you to call me?”
“Um, well, here’s the thing. You know, you’ve been very generous... I only met you yesterday and you immediately took me under your wing and invited me to the fashion event last night and I really appreciate it, believe me, Gio, it was fantastic...”
“But... I sense some uncertainty in your voice.”
I looked around the room and my eyes fell on Jesse’s note, lying beside the dirty breakfast dishes. “I’m afraid I’m going to have to take a rain check on your offer to let me assist you.”
“Cara mia, what do you mean? I told you last night, don’t say no until you come to my studio and we go over the details. Having you work with me would really help me out. You see, Alicia, the little tramp, has run off with a Latin model from Spain, the one we saw her with.”
“What?” Was that true or was he just making this up to get me to come and work for him? “Oh. I’m sorry to hear that, but I...”
“No, silly. I was joking. She’s left for holiday this morning, and my other assistant... let’s just say we aren’t exactly on speaking terms, right now. So, while Alicia is gone, I could really use your help, actually.”
“Well...” Damn, I felt myself caving. My resolve faltered for a moment, but I stuck my chin out and continued to say what I had called to say. “Look, Gio, your offer is very generous, but I just can’t accept.”
“Oh, my dear, but why? You can’t refuse me now. We haven’t even begun. Come today, to my studio, and see, I will explain everything. It will be a great little job, besides you will only be here in Italy a short time. Take advantage of it.”
“I... I really can’t, Gio. Jesse needs me.” Well, that sounded stupid. “What I mean is, I came here to be with Jesse when he is not training. Working with you would probably mean twenty four seven.
“Niki, I understand that completely, so how about you just do one gig with me. Have you ever heard of Franco Delamonte?”
“Yes, of course, he’s the best designer in Italy.”
“I just landed an assignment to shoot Franco Delamonte’s new collection. He is coming today. You have to come. You will be able to meet him in person, chat with him about his designs, and discover what inspires him. You can’t pass up an opportunity like this.”
He could tell by my silence that I was considering it. Damn you, Gio. He was right.
“I thought you were here to further your career? Are you really going to quit on me before you even give it a chance? I’m sure Jesse will understand. You said he is at his training camp all day, right? What else are you going to do when he is there? I’ll make sure you get home before Jesse is finished with his training.”
I let out an audible groan of frustration. “I suppose...”
“Well, are you coming?”
I thrust my hand through the hair at the nape of my neck. This might backfire on me but... this was all Jesse’s fault. He taught me to “seize the day,” so what the hell, here goes.
I squeezed my eyes shut tight and said, “Yes, I’ll be there.”
“Magnifico. Come by my studio this afternoon, as we had planned, and we can go over all the detail of the Delmonte shoot and discuss a schedule that will work for you, I promise. I don’t want you to be unhappy with this arrangement, my dear. You will be home in time for your boyfriend.”
He sounded sincere. Maybe he was just trying to help me. Maybe he wasn’t trying to get in my panties after all. He came through and I would have my first opportunity to meet someone revered in my field. When he told me about Delmonte, the tone in his voice had changed and he sounded more business-like, no longer like a siren’s song, luring me in.
When I clicked off the phone I felt better about the assistant job with Gio. It no longer seemed to be the threat I had feared before.