Do You Remember Baby Girl?

7

Laura had nothing else to say to Massimo. Not for the remainder of the evening. He must've sensed her fear, or inability to speak because he offered her a soft smile and leaned back in his seat. It was then he glanced down at her book.

"Is that a journal?" he asked. Laura nodded her head before she ran my hand over it. He pointed to it.

"May I?" 

"Yes," Laura said. As crazy as it was, She wanted to know his thoughts on what she wrote. He opened the book and began to read the first three pages.

"You have such a way with words," he said before closing it gently. "But I like how you describe this place. It can be seen as an oasis of a sort. A temporary home away from home."

"It can," she said finally able to answer him. "It's a very idyllic town. I think it has a good mix of the old with the new."

"It could be where you live permanently. If you desire it," he hedged. Laura only sighed before focusing her gaze on the water.

"I don't know about that. I have a life back home. A job which will probably fire me if I-"

"Work here."

She paused before turning her gaze back to him.

"Pardon me?"

"You heard me," he said crossing his arms over his chest. "Work here. You can run one of my many businesses here. I have a luxury hotel, a restaurant, and a club. Take your pick."

Laura's mouth opened in shock.

"Massimo. I am here to help you sort your finances. After that I am-"

"I know," he said gently. "But you seem to work on it in the morning. Domenico said that you would be here for the next six months. How about while doing that you can work at one of my establishments. Run it, make a profit, and I will pay you well. Therefore, if your former job doesn't hire you back, you can always have extra income, and you can take your time looking for a job you really want."

Laura studied his face and saw nothing but honesty.

"Really?"

"Yes, really," he answered. "I will give you whatever you want, Laura. If that will make you happy, I'll make a call. Now, what place would you like to work?"

Biting her lip, she answered honestly.

"The restaurant."

His eyebrows rose in surprise but she only smiled.

"I love food. I've always wanted to try running a restaurant." He chuckled at her revelation.

"Well, it's yours. No one has been running the place anyway. It needs a complete remodel, and the staff keeps telling me but I never have the time. Now that is your problem. First thing tomorrow, head down to the restaurant facing the water, two blocks from here, and tell me what you need."

"You're serious."

"I am," he said before leaning over to grab her hand. "I want you to be happy. And I understand that keeping busy is part of that." He stood before holding out his hand. 

"Come. I'll walk you back home. It's getting late," he offered. She placed her journal and pen into her back before standing and falling into step beside him.

"Okay."

                                                                                  .............

Later that night, Laura was restless. She was in her room pacing. It was a warm night and for some reason, the room felt stifling. She was wearing nothing but a black transparent nightgown and it's fabric only made her breasts more sensitive. She bit her lip as she kept playing what he said earlier today in her head.