I went back to the hotel and immediately typed the letters and sent them to chief. The secretaries are awesome, and their responses were very heartfelt.

After I finished sending them all out to my chief editor, I sighed a breath of relief. This vacation/wedding almost screwed my career up.

It was almost lunch when I finished. Suddenly the dreaded thought of going to the university to ‘pick up’ Ivo tomorrow occurred to me. If not for Agata, I will never ever see Ivo again.

“Brands, you have a visitor.” Gin knocked at my door.

Visitor? Who the hell is it? I cursed under my breath. I got up to open my door, and there he was, Ivo.

“Hey,” I mumbled.

“Hey.”

It was the first time a guy visited me. It felt awkward having Gin there as Ivo and I just stood and looked at each other.

“Um, I think I better leave the two of you here.” Gin left and went inside his room.

“Hey, what are you doing here? I thought we’re meeting at the university? Don’t you have class today? I have to go the rehearsal and haven’t had my lunch yet,” I babbled, irritated. “Will you plea—”

“You are a bad host. Aren’t you going to ask me to sit down first?” His smile was teasing as he took a step closer.

“No, I want you to leave.” My eyes widened in astonishment and irritation. I crossed my arms over my chest.

“Well, I just thought of dropping by to return to you this.” He handed me my purse. “Antonia said you left that in the kitchen earlier.”

“Thank you, you can go now. I don’t accept visitors, Ivo,” I told him frankly.

He stepped closer and closer until he was standing right in front of me. “Why are you getting so mad? You weren’t like that last night,” he whispered.

“What we had last night was just a one-night stand, it won’t happen again. I’m just giving back the favor to your sister.” I tried to sound stern, but he didn’t budge.

As he moved a little bit closer to me, my heart skipped a beat. What the hell?

“Yes, one night. We’ll just be having another one-night stand,” he said, and I gasped.

What if our one-night stand turns into a two-night stand that turns into a full-blown arrangement? Then, what if we find ourselves ingrained in each other’s lives, unwilling to commit but unable to let go? Why am I even entertaining this thought?

Ivo stood six feet tall, and I was only five foot seven. He towered over me. He looked at me directly in the eyes. “Maybe you would want to consider having a two-night stand with me.” His eyebrow rose in hope.

My hormones were going crazy.

“I still have a rehearsal to attend to.” I pretended to consider.

His mouth curved in amusement. The way he was looking at me sent tingles all throughout my body.

“Why don’t we have lunch first?” he offered.

It was the most seductive invitation to lunch I had ever gotten.

We decided to have our lunch at a small, fascinating restaurant named Osteria La Antonina.

It was a bit like an antique store, or an attic, or a trippy and slightly spooky, whacked out vintage furniture store. Perhaps even the love shack of an interior decorator and a hoarder. Nothing from the plates, silverware, to the curtains and chairs - there is a matching item in the joint.

After the waiter had left with our order, we sat there looking around the restaurant. Waiting for my meal was never so entertaining.

The restaurant serves a variety of traditional dishes with a nouvelle twist, like venison carpaccio with a terrine of foie gras, berries and candied citron or squid-ink pasta with calamari, zucchini, and sea urchin.

When our orders came out, we immediately dug in. I ordered baby pig ravioli, served in an insanely flavorful pear sauce and guinea-fowl coupled with an amazing potato cream sauce.

“What do you think about the food?” Ivo started making conversation.

“It’s really, really good,” I managed to reply even when my mouth was full.

“I’m glad you are enjoying it.” His bright smile said much more than that. I grinned.

We ate almost in silence, but it wasn’t awkward at all. He removed his glasses, and I caught him staring at me for a second.

“So since we had and eventually will be having our casual sexual intercourse, why don’t we get to know each other?”

“Nope,” I shook my head. “That’s a no-no, Ivo. When it comes to casual hook-ups, you don’t get to know your partner better. All we have to do is just be nice to each other; use a condom, have wonderful sex and say that you had a great time. However, for now, we’re both going to do something else and enjoy the rest of our day.”

“I don’t intend to get to know you better. I’m not interested, Brandy. Don’t be so conceited. I only want what I could get out of this arrangement,” clarified Ivo.

“Good, I’m glad we’re clear on that.”

“At least, be acquainted,” he insisted.

“How come your accent is neutral whenever you talk to me,” I said changing the topic.

It actually worked. Ivo dropped the subject.

“I was born here, but I spent almost half of my life in Atlanta. I had my early childhood here, but my mom took me when I was ten years old while Agata stayed here with Dad.”

“Oh, I see. It’s a good thing that you haven’t forgotten the language.”

“I come here every summer to visit my siblings. I have several half-siblings on my dad’s and mother’s side.”

“Whoa, that’s information overload, Ivo. I only asked you about your accent.”

He just shrugged his shoulders and continued eating in silence.

“Hey, sorry to hear that.”

“What part?”

“That you and Agata grew apart from each other due to your parents’ drama.”

“Nah, I don’t feel sorry about it myself. Well, I feel sorry for my sister. She was stuck taking care of dad who’s suffering from dementia.”

I was loss for words. “Poor Agata. I know the feeling, trust me.”

“I don’t trust a stranger.” He glanced at me and bit his lip in a very sensual way.

“Me neither,” I replied and rolled my eyes at him.

Suddenly, the door of the restaurant swung open, making the little wind chime above it tinkle. Ivo looked up. In walked a tanned skin woman with long wavy jet black hair. She had a slender body type with flattering curves, full lips, and piercing eyes with long lashes. She walked hand in hand with a black haired, football quarterback looking guy. They walked past us and sat on a reserved table at the corner.

The guy sat down before the girl leaned in, kissed him and stalked off into the ladies’ room. I noticed Ivo sat up straight, and his mood changed.

“Hey, Ivo, are you all right?”

“Y-yeah, are you done? Aren’t we late for the rehearsal yet?” he asked, looking at his watch.

“It’s only one thirty, Ivo. The rehearsal will start at 3:00 P.M.”

“I see. What would you like for dessert?” He seemed annoyed and pissed.

I looked over at the corner table. The girl was back from the washroom, and I saw her throwing glances at Ivo.

“For dessert, I want their best seller.”

I saw the girl jerk her head when Ivo called the waiter to order some desserts.

“Ivo, are you having some Ex-Effect Anxiety Syndrome?”

“What are you talking about? I haven’t heard of such a syndrome,” he replied, his brows furrowed.

“Well, the way you look and the way you are acting are some known manifestations of such a syndrome.”

“I’m the psychologist here, right?”

“And I’m the love advisor,” I countered. “Would you like to hear Juliet’s advice?”

“Fire away, Juliet.”

“Dearest Ivo… You might find it difficult sometimes to see your former girlfriend at a restaurant with another guy…”

Ivo was smiling coyly at me.

I rose from my seat and walked toward him. “It’s a normal reaction. Would it lessen your agitation if someone stood in front of you, bent down and kissed your lips?”

His silence was answer enough, so I leaned in and whispered to him, “Love, Juliet.”

Ivo was a bit shocked. He didn’t respond at first, but as I sat on his lap, he soon became an active participant, kissing me back with more urgency.

“Ahem.” The waiter cleared his throat.

I stood up from his lap, fixed myself, and reclaimed my seat.

I glanced at that girl’s direction and saw the look on her face.

“You really surprise me sometimes.”

“Don’t be, Ivo. I’ll do that to any of my casual hook-ups. Just to let you know, I’m not your type.”

“I am very much aware of that.”

We stared at each other but said nothing, finishing our desserts in silence.

We arrived at the wedding rehearsal just in time to see everyone there. I waved hi to my brother Carl when I saw him busily entertaining the other guests. Even though my brother was beyond anxious and stressed with the wedding, he was positively glowing.

“Mommy!” called Scotch as he ran toward me.

“Hi there, baby!”

He saw Ivo beside me and asked, “Is he your boyfriend?”

“No, baby he’s just a dear friend of mine,” I answered and took him in my arms. I noticed Ivo stiffen beside me. He might be thinking that Scotch was indeed my son.

“Where’s your dad?” I asked. Scotch slid down from my grip and looked for Ken.

“Is it okay if I stay?”

“Why not?” A subtle smile curled at my lips.

Ken appeared even before Ivo answered. “Hi, Brands,” he greeted and gave me a bear hug. He actually whispered sorry over my shoulder.

I gave him a warm smile as if nothing had happened early this morning. “I forgive you, brother. Just stay out of it next time, okay?”

Ken thought for a second then nodded. I didn’t have any intention of introducing Ivo, but Ken had been eyeing him standing behind me so I was left with no choice.

“Um, he’s Ivo, my new found friend.”

Ivo smiled and held his hand out for a handshake.

“Pleasure to finally meet a guy with a face,” Ken said. “Is he your new fuc—?”

“He is,” I cut him off. “Happy?”

He sighed deeply. “C’mon, Brands, don’t start that.”

“No! You don’t start! You just said sorry, and I reiterated that you stay out of it so shut your mouth, brother,” I hissed under my breath trying hard to suppress my anger. Ivo remained silent behind me.

“Very well, now that everyone is finally gathered for the final rehearsal, we may start,” announced an exasperated-looking wedding planner.

For the next couple of hours, we were taught when to walk in, how to walk in, where to stand, and when and how to walk out. The wedding wasn’t complicated, but it was a long and slightly boring rehearsal. It was okay though because afterwards, we will be on a bus filled with drinks and off to the rehearsal dinner.

I glanced at Ivo from time to time. He was smiling, examining me and even motioned me to smile. I’d always been horrible at faking a smile. I kept silent, refusing to entertain his antics.

At the rehearsal dinner, we got a chance to meet Mia’s side of the family amidst live country music. We had drinks, sumptuous food, watched a slideshow of the couple’s photos, and listened to speeches that had us laughing so hard while others brought tears to our eyes. The night was perfect; it could not have gone better.

When the dinner was over, Ivo and I said our goodbyes and left. Instead of taking me back to the hotel, we ended up at Ivo’s apartment.

When he pulled over, I started placing kisses along his jaw line as he tried to release me from the seatbelt. We walked out of his car and immediately I felt my whole body weaken for a moment. It might have been due to the amount of alcohol I consumed.

Conveniently, my mind cleared of all things sensible the second Ivo’s lips pressed to mine again. His warm lips tasting faintly of whiskey slanted over mine. I wrapped my arms around his neck and got lost in his scent.

A car going down the street honked, and we broke apart slowly. Flushed and breathless, I closed my eyes when his forehead touched mine, and I gripped him a little tighter. It felt good when his lips met mine. He seemed to know exactly how I liked to be kissed. All soft and slow, lingering touches of lips and slips of tongue.

“Are we going in or should we get undressed here by the front door while the neighbor—”

I shut him up by kissing him again.