Free Accidentally Expecting! by Lucy Gordon Page A

and made her own way. The atmosphere was beginning to get to her.
    It took three hours. On the way home, they stopped off for a meal and compared notes. Now Dante was a serious businessman. His notes were thorough, and he was going to do a first-class job with the house.
    ‘My text, your pictures,’ he said. ‘We’re a great team. Let’s get back home and put it all on my website.’
    ‘Fine, but then I’ve got something to tell—’
    ‘Naturally, I’ll pay you.’
    ‘So I should hope.’
    ‘Of course, I can’t afford your usual fees. I expect you get top-dollar now for the right kind of picture.’
    ‘I’ll ignore that remark.’
    ‘But you’re the best at this kind of thing, and I could sell these houses much faster with your help.’
    ‘I’m trying to tell you—’
    ‘I’m going to leave soon, driving all over this area, drumming up business. Come with me. Together we’ll knock ’em all dead.’ When she hesitated, he took her hands in his. ‘Say yes. It’s time to have a little fun in your life.’
    This was the Dante she’d first known, the chancer who faced life with a smile. The darkness of the recent past might never have been.
    ‘I don’t know,’ she said slowly.
    She was more tempted than she wanted to admit. Just a little longer in his company…
    ‘Look, I know what you’re thinking,’ he said persuasively. ‘But you’re wrong. I’ve accepted your rejection.’ His voice became melodramatic. ‘Bitter and painful though it is.’
    Her lips twitched. ‘Oh, really?’ she said cynically.
    ‘Why don’t you believe me?’
    The mere idea of Dante meekly accepting rejection was absurd. It was a ploy, telling her that he was settling in for a long game, but if she admitted that she would be conceding a point in that very game. If there was one thing she knew she mustn’t do, it was let him win too easily.
    ‘Are you seriously asking me to believe that you’ll act like a perfect gentleman at all times?’
    ‘Ah, well, I might not have been planning to go quite that far,’ he hedged cautiously. ‘But nothing to offend you. Just friendly, I promise.’
    ‘Hmm,’ she observed.
    ‘Hmm?’ he echoed innocently.
    ‘Hmm.’
    In this mood, he was irresistible. On the other hand there was the promise of the biggest job of her life, maybe a trip to Hollywood eventually.
    ‘I’ll think about it,’ she said.
    ‘Don’t take too long.’
    They drove back to the villa and spent a contented hour at the computer, marrying his text and her pictures. The result was a triumph, with Ferne’s flair for the dramatic balancing Dante’s factual efficiency. He sent a copy to the owner, who promptly emailed back, expressing his delight.
    At the end of the evening Ferne went out onto the terrace and stood looking up at the stars, wondering what she was going to do. It should have been an easy decision. How could any man compete with such a career opportunity?
    She knew what would happen now. Dante would have seen her come out here, and he would follow her, trying to charm her into doing exactly what he wanted.
    Just friendly , indeed! Who did he think he was kidding?
    She could hear him coming now. Smiling, she turned.
    But it was Hope and Toni.
    ‘Dante has gone to bed,’ Hope explained. ‘He wouldn’t admit it, but I think he has a headache.’
    ‘Is something wrong?’ Ferne asked. Something in the older woman’s manner alerted her.
    ‘He tells us that he wants you to travel and work with him,’ Hope said.
    ‘He has asked me, yes. But I’m not sure if I should agree. Perhaps it’s time for me to be getting back to England.’
    ‘Oh no, please stay in Italy for a while,’ Hope said anxiously. ‘Please go with him.’
    Ferne’s first thought was that Hope was matchmaking, but then she got a closer look at the other woman’s expression and her amusement died. Hope’s face was full of strange fear.
    ‘What’s the matter?’ she asked. ‘It’s something serious, isn’t