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‘You are leaving?’ the maître d’, whose name and crazy job title I couldn’t remember, asked as we reached the door.

‘You do not want dessert?’ Romeo added, his face crumpled, but still annoyingly handsome.

I was gagging for dessert. I spotted the couple on the table opposite ours sharing a panna cotta and was dying to see if it tasted as good as it looked, but spending time with my match was more important.

‘No,’ Edward answered for me. ‘The salad was sufficient and Samantha ate enough pasta to sink theTitanic, so it’s better if we don’t.’

Wait, what? I didn’t eatthatmuch pasta. Just a standard portion.

I opened my mouth to tell him so, then clamped it shut. It wasn’t worth messing up our first date by debating how much I ate.

‘If you are sure?’ Romeo’s eyes flicked to mine and I looked away before he saw from my expression that I absolutely wasnotsure.

‘Certain.’ Edward jumped in before I had a chance to reply. ‘Night, Ricardo.’

‘Thanks,Romeo,’ I added, emphasising his correct name.

‘Prego,’ he replied. He looked like he was about to say something else, but Edward opened the door and stepped outside before I followed.

It was still warm and the stars lit up the sky so beautifully. This was the perfect time for an evening stroll.

‘I’m that way.’ Edward pointed. ‘Sleep well.’

As he walked off, my jaw dropped.

So we weren’t going for a beach walk or for cocktails.

I didn’t get it.

One minute we were chatting about the stuff we had in common.

Then the next he suggested we leave (without dessert) and instead of going on to do something else, he’d decided to go to his room.

What the hell?

6

SAMMIE

‘Already?’ I groaned as my alarm sounded. This king-sized bed was so comfortable, I’d be happy to stay here all day.

I’d slept like a baby. Everything from the perfect pillows to the crisp white bed linen and the mattress which must’ve been made by the sleep angels was heavenly.

My whole bedroom was next level. It had stone whitewashed walls decorated with colourful art, vaulted ceilings and a large balcony with direct sea views. This was a world away from my flat in London. I felt like I was living like a celebrity.

I didn’t get to sleep straightaway because I was trying to work out why Edward ended the evening so abruptly. In the end I’d reasoned that he was just tired. I was too. Coming here knowing you’d been set up with your perfect match was intense.

Plus, we’d only known each other a couple of hours, which was nowhere near enough time to draw any conclusions one way or the other.

After breakfast we’d have a briefing and take part in our first couples task which would help us to bond faster. Right now, as comfy as this bed was, I needed to get my arse out of it, in the shower then down to breakfast. I was in gorgeous Italy and I wanted to make the most of this trip.

Forty minutes later I was heading to the restaurant. I didn’t know if Edward was already there yet. If he wasn’t, I’d wait until he arrived so we could have breakfast together, or call him from reception.

As soon as I stepped through the large glass doors, I saw the maître d’ from last night standing next to Romeo.

Fuck, he was fit.

But he was also a dick.