Page 51 of Let’s Give ‘Em Pumpkin to Talk About

Jeremy tried many different occupations until he finally got his dream job as a chemical engineer.

I remember how he hated bartending because he felt too uncool.

So, with him, it was all about overhearing people, never service-flirting.

He only strikes up conversations with strangers, like he is doing now, when he is drunk.

“I’m here at the bar only some evenings,” the bartender says. “During the day, I’m the concierge.”

“Hmm. Nice,” Jeremy mutters, taking a sip of water. I look down and notice I have a filled glass too. I hold it, but don’t drink, still looking at the bartender/concierge.

“Your story is not the craziest, to be honest,” he says with another smile.

I cross my arms on the bar, looking up at his towering figure on the other side. The smirk is still on his lips. I narrow my eyes. “I thought you didn’t hear us.”

“I didn’t.” He smiles professionally and moves back half a step. “But if I had,” he adds in a low voice, his fingers playing with the cap of the bottle he opened for us, “then I might have a few suggestions so you can get the best out of your six days in Venice.”

I narrow my eyes even more. This guy, he’s…cheeky. More than a five-star hotel employee should be, in my opinion.

Jeremy looks at me and gives a hoarse laugh. “Sure. We could use some tips, couldn’t we?” He then leans forward to whisper to the bartender/concierge, “Romantic stuff, you know, since we’re trying to fall in love.”

The bartender/concierge’s smile broadens, and it’s one hell of a smile. God, why are some people so pretty? How is that fair to the rest of us?

“You don’t need to bother him, Jeremy,” I say. “I’ll come up with the specifics of the project.”

If people can set goals for every aspect of their lives, why can’t I do the same for something as important as securing my ideal life partner? Jeremy and I have decided to change the way we see each other, and like every experiment or recipe, we need a plan. The right set up. Steps. Rules.

“To start with, we’ll need to spend a considerable amount of time in places that are romantic,” I say thoughtfully.

“Setting is important, after all, and so is presentation, which means we’ll need to make sure we look our best. We’ll keep to pleasant and alluring topics of conversation, and we won’t touch each other without requesting permission.

This only gets physical if— when —we’re both comfortable with it. ”

Jeremy gazes at me with his mouth slightly agape and blinks. “Eh…sure. Sounds like a solid plan.” His blue eyes move to the bartender/concierge. “Can you recommend any particularly romantic places in the city?”

“A Google search will give us the perfect itinerary,” I say before the man has a chance to reply. “Besides, every bit of Venice is dreamy. We take a gondola ride or eat gelato while admiring the view from one of the hundreds of bridges. I bet we don’t need much more than that.”

“I must say, you are wrong,” the bartender/concierge contends in all his cheekiness.

I frown, but he doesn’t get intimidated.

“Venice is beautiful, I can only agree, but it’s big and crowded.

Your Google search will get you to the most touristy locations, but I can point you to the hidden gems. The truly special places. ”

Jeremy and I exchange a look. Why not , his eyes are saying.

An exorbitant bill at the end, maybe.

“How much would that cost us?” I ask because I do not want any unnecessary extra charges on my already expensive vacation.

“Concierge services are included in your stay, so I won’t charge you extra.” He leans closer, his green eyes traveling from me to Jeremy. “I will give you a personalized experience, however, if you so wish. I will do everything in my power to get you to fall in love—with Venice and each other.”

I raise my eyebrows, and when I look at Jeremy, I see he’s mirroring my expression.

“Why would you go to such lengths for us?” I question, looking directly at him. Because he wants an inordinate tip , I answer my own question. He probably thinks we are rich Americans with mansions in Beverly Hills.

“Because we want our guests to live out their dreams here.”

And leave you a gushing five-star review.

That can’t be all, though, can it?

“All right, we’re interested,” Jeremy speaks for both of us. I look at him, and he instantly knows I’m displeased about being left out of the decision. “You want that, don’t you, Daisy?”

In his blue eyes I see he’s not thinking about Alice anymore, and Ryan’s name hasn’t crossed my mind a single time since we came up with the project.

Because we need each other more than we need them. We should be together. We just need our bodies to realize that.

Venice will help. The cheeky bartender/concierge will help.

“Okay,” I say, my tensed muscles relaxing a bit.

The bartender/concierge flashes his pretty smile. “Great. My name is Lorenzo, by the way. Meet me in the lobby tomorrow at ten, and we’ll plan your romantic week in Venice.”

“Let the friends-to-lovers project begin,” I say.

Copyright ? 2025 by Ana Paula Fogaca Geer