Chapter 2

1

        'I like to be there for Danielle every day, even if it's only for part of this trip. Even if it means dragging her around with me,' Adrain De Luca dragged his hand lazily through his hair. 'Normally I'd leave her behind with my parents, but this is going to be for a month and it's not fair on them at their age.'

   A tiny frown appeared on Shawn's face as he pulled open Adrian's fridge to grab a bottle of beer. 'So you've got a problem then.'

'It appears so.' Adrain stared at his best friend settling into a stool in his enormous kitchen. 'Taking her along is the only way I'll be able to look after her and the business. I mean it's the only way I've known, and it's a precarious balance that so far seems to be working. I don't want to upset that balance, and abandon her for a month —and shortly after I get back I start filming the next tv series for eight weeks or so, and I'm going to need my parents goodwill for that.'

'I can come to Italy with you and look after her just while you're in the meetings, it would be amazingly helpful.' Shawn sat on the opposite him.

   Adrain eyed him thoughtfully. 'Really? You mean it? I can ask Laura'

'What? My sister? She's in France. Honeymoon remember?'

'Shoot, I forgot. I thought they were back already.' He leaned back, sighing.

'So what's this about?'

'It's like a real time vlog. It would have photos, blog posts, and field-tested travel advice. But most importantly, it would have a livestream that users could follow."

'A real-time vlog. That...that has advantage, I have to admit. People crave narrative, drama and feeds. Your fans will love you.'

"Exactly, and the DIY approach makes the adventure seem all possible and positive for them."

'We're talking no-holds-barred footage then? That's.....tempting.'

'It better. I can do everything with Danielle on my hip except the meetings.'

'Besides I need a vacation or at-least a break from work myself.'

'Absolutely. You'd be of help Shawn. I'm trying to set up a contract with a family there to supply my restaurants. I tasted some of their products at a trade fair, and I was really impressed. My manager said I needed to pick out a lifestyle and blog about it. I choose Italy. I want to see how they operate, taste the whole range, negotiate the price and see if we can strike a deal. And doing all that with Danielle on my hip really won't work.'

   Shawn laughed wryly. 'No, I can see that. Not exactly professional, and not fair on her either.'

'No it isn't and she's my top priority. If necessary, I'd cut the trip short rather than compromise my relationship with her, but I don't want to have to do that, because this is a great business opportunity and it could be great for her future as well as mine.'

   'I do owe you a lot,' Shawn grinned. 'You cooked for my almost wedding.'

'That was supposed to be my wedding gift to you.' Adrain said shortly.

  'Except there was no wedding. Or a bride to begin with. And you wouldn't let me pay you for it.'

   'It's the least important thing in the world right now Shawn.' Adrain started. He knew Shawn had the money being a sales manager but it didn't mean he would let his best friend pay. 'Okay Here's the deal. Come to Tuscany with me. Look after Danielle so I can work with a clear conscience and still put her to bed every night, and we'll call it quits.'

  'Quits? Are you crazy Adrian? I know what your outside catering costs!'

   He shrugged. 'There's a substantial mark-up. The true cost is nothing like the tariff. And you know how precious my daughter is to me. Nothing could be more important than leaving her with someone I can trust while I'm over there.'

   'You know I can't say no.' Shawn laughed. 'Are there women?'

  Adrian rolled his eyes with a chuckle. 'Do you have a case packed and ready to go?'

'Definitely.'

He nodded and got to his feet. 'Good. I'll get Danielle's stuff together and we'll go. I'm not sure, but we might even be able to fly out today.'

   'We leave today?!'

  'Is that a problem?'

'Not at all Adrian fvcking De Luca. Could've warned me earlier.' Shawn placed his bottle on the counter slapping his thighs, he got to his feet. 'How soon are we leaving?'

   Adrian shrugged. 'Half an hour, maybe.'

'I'm gonna go home and grab a couple of shirts and pants. I'll call you when I'm done.'

'Don't forget your passport man.'

   'Whatever.' Shawn turned his heel, reaching for the door then he stopped, turned and looked at the chef over his shoulder. 'Oh and Adrian, Grab some food will you?'

  Adrain laughed. 'Food? Food is easy. I can do food.' After Shawn left, he called his manager to prime her, then he called his mother and rang the charter company he used from time to time, and found they had a small jet flying to Florence for a pickup; he could hire the whole plane for the 'empty leg' rate, but it was leaving the airport at three. And it was twelve forty already.

                                      •*•*•

From start to finish, boarding the little jet had been a breeze. They'd driven right up to the Jet center terminal , their luggage and the baby's car seat and buggy were handed over, and the car had been whisked away to secure parking. The security check in was thorough but almost instant, and then they had a short work to the plane.

At the top of the steps the pilot greeted them by name I feel welcomed them aboard, gave them their ETA, a benign wether report and told them there was a car waiting for them at Florence.

'Mr De Luca.' A woman approached them with her hand extended.

'Amy is it? We've flown together before?'

'We have sir. It's a pleasure to welcome you and Danielle on board again, and Mr Gallo, I believe? I'm your cabin crew today, and if there's anything you need, don't hesitate to ask.'

Shawn smiled at Amy as they shook hands, and turned her attention back to Adrian. And when it was done, they got settled.

'That lady was literally checking you out and you didn't even notice. All the smiles she gave were personal and directed to you.' Shawn smirked.

Adrian snorted and shots Shawn a look. 'Please, she's not my type. It will be a cold day I'm hell before I married someone again.'

'Didn't say you should marry the woman.' Shawn gave a fleeting smile. 'Was that from me?' Shawn asked, pointing at the stuffed dinosaur toy Danielle was happily playing with.

'You sent it to her when she was born. She loves it. I have to take it everywhere with us.'

'I'm flattered. At least I'd done one thing right, then.' Shawn zipped the bag up, stashed it in the baggage compartment, and sat down opposite Danielle and across from Adrian.

'I need to make a quick call to sort out where we're going to stay tonight. Can you entertain her please. I won't be a moment.'

'Sure,' Shawn shut the avenue of thought and turned her attention to amusing Danielle.

Danielle didn't really need entertaining. He knew that from being around her most of the time, not with the dinosaur to chew and cackle, so Shawn was free to listen to what Adrian was saying. Not that he could understand it, because he was speaking Italian.

'Ciao. A dopo.' Adrian walker back in. Then he put his phone away and sat across Shawn. 'Well, that's our accommodation sorted,' he said with relief. 'I phoned Joe Winston to tell him I'm bringing a friend and a baby so we'll make our own arrangements but he wouldn't have any of it. He says there's plenty of room for you, too, they're fine with us all staying at the palazzo, as from tonight. Problem solved.'

'Wow, they live in a palazzo?'

'Apparently its an old Medici villa. I've seen pictures of it, and it's very beautiful. It's beautiful. It's been in the family for centuries, which is why I want to deal with them because it's not just business, it's in their blood, it's who they are. The meetings will be there, too, so if Danielle kicks off and you can't cope, I won't be far away.'

  'I have to warn you, I don't know anything about babies so it won't hurt to practice on Danielle so I can make my mistakes first with someone else's child.'

   Adrian chuckled, ruffling Danielle's dark curls gently. 'You won't make mistakes, and even if you do, you won't break her. She's pretty resilient.'

   Shawn's smile turned into a grimace.

'Chill Shawn, she's just a little person. She'll let you know what she needs.'

  'Yeah if you can mind read a nine-month-old baby.' Shawn shook his head. 'Anyway, So when's the camera crew arriving? I thought we were gonna fly with them.'

Adrian shook his head. 'Nope. I already called my manager. She said they'll definitely fly in later today or tomorrow.'

'Tuscany here we come.' Shawn cheered and Adrian laughed.

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