N: here we go! I'm not sure how long this one will be, it all depends on the girls. anyway, read on and enjoy! If you want more of my silly stories, I have a couple of books out on Amazon under Sydney Gibson that might suit your fancy! I'm also offering up signed copies of the new book if anyone wants to add to their collection! Just message me! And as always, thank you for reading!


Lauren

"Lauren, you seem very distracted." Fulvio leaned over as we watched the camera crew move and set up the next shot. "I can ask them to come back tomorrow if you feel nervous." I smiled at his warmth. Fulvio was like a father to me, a father and a best friend.

I looked away from Bo taking pictures of a boiling pot of pasta. "I'm fine." I sighed, staring at a bushel of tomatoes sitting on the floor. "I'll be fine after I pretend there's not a camera following me around, filming my every move." I looked at Fulvio as he squeezed my shoulder, and turned to look back at Bo.

To say I'd forgotten about Bo would be a bold face lie. I'd only stop thinking about her every second of the day, to at least once an hour. When we went our separate ways that snowy weekend, I brushed it off and went about my plans of traveling to Italy. It wasn't a relationship. It was barely a friendship, and I gave myself every terrible excuse in the book to make up for the fact I did indeed, screw things up with her. It hit harder when I landed in Italy and just about every woman I saw reminded me of her. She was soon imprinted on my mind, and in time my heart kept calling me a stupid idiot for letting her go. I knew I was falling in something for Bo, probably why I shriveled up and resorted to bad habits and aloofness. But now, as I stood discreetly staring at her, I missed her. I missed her smile, her infectious energy that carried with her no matter where she went. I missed Bo's presence and I had massive regrets for walking away from her.

I stared at the back Bo the brunette until she turned around and caught my eyes, her smile faltering a bit before she turned to the producer. I blew out a slow breath, tipping my head down. "Shit."

"What is the Italian word for shit?" A rough voice appeared next to me, attached to an attractive blonde who looked incredibly familiar, but I couldn't place her. I was too caught up in Bo showing back up in my world, I didn't even notice Fulvio had moved on to talk to the producer and Bo. I gave the blonde a look. "Merda. But we don't use it as a curse word." I squinted at the blonde's green eyes. "Do I know you from somewhere?"

She smirked, "If you do, I'm not very good at my job." She held out her hand, "Tamsin. I'm the new hostess Fulvio hired yesterday." She shook my hand with a tight grip and leaned against the counter next to me. "What's with this film crew?"

I sighed, picking at a button on my white chef's coat. "They're here for Fulvio. Documenting his avant garde style of cooking home-style Italian food. I guess this is going to air in the fall on that big food channel in the states." I smiled softly. I would be back home in Michigan just in time to catch the premiere.

"Oh, fancy." Tamsin nodded towards Bo. "She's cute. You think she's single?" I felt a weird jolt of jealous irritation at Tamsin's comment.

I turned to face the woman. "Who hired you? Fulvio? Are you sure? Because I know he wouldn't hire a nosy... "

"I hope you finish that sentence by calling me a nosy nancy." Tamsin grinned, patting me on the shoulder. "I'm asking because you keep looking at her like I'm sure Michelangelo looked at David as he sculpted him." Tamsin shook her head before I could say another word. "Look, little advice from your new best friend, me. You and that girl over there belong together. I could see it when you locked awkward eyes with her. It's like you two already knew each other." She nudged me. "Italy is a magic place. Love is in the air along with the smell of fresh pasta. Take a chance, go ask her out." Tamsin moved away from me, looking over my baggy chef outfit. "By the looks of it, you haven't left a kitchen since you got here."

I blushed at her comment. Tamsin was right. I hadn't stepped outside of a kitchen for more than a day since I landed in Italy. "We do sort of know each other." I sighed, looking at Bo for the fiftieth time. I then scrunched my brow at how i was extremely calm with Tamsin's semi passive aggressive nosiness. But I was. "We, um went on a date back in Michigan. I screwed up when I thought she was more invested in me than I was ready for and I bolted." I glanced at Tamsin, who was nodding her head. "Why are you agreeing with me? I've never met you before."

Tamsin chuckled, stepping away from the counter. "If I had a dollar for every time I heard that. I'd have Oprah money." Tamsin then waved her hand towards Bo. "She's coming over here. Try not to be a shitbird, Lauren. Be cool." She winked at me and walked over to Fulvio. I stared at the blonde, completely confused, but completely at ease with the brash woman's behavior.

I ran a hand through my hair when I heard, "Excuse me, Chef?" I turned around to face Bo, a smile covering my face instantly. "Please call me Lauren, Bo." She nodded tightly, fidgeting with her camera. "Okay." She sucked in a slow breath. "Bonnie wants me to get a little background on you for the narration ADR in post production." She tried to smile genuinely, but it was failing. She was nervous, frustrated with me.

I nodded, pointing towards the back entrance of the restaurant. "Of course. We can go outside where it's a little quieter."


Tamsin

I'm jumping in here for a second. It should be noted that Lauren had not dated a soul since she landed in Italy. She passed on numerous offers, and continued to live a solitary, boring existence. She would claim because she was in love with her work. That's a pile of bull. She was in love with a brunette and didn't want to admit it. I saw it easily when I reviewed her case file before landing in pasta town. The girl was stuck on Bo and I was hoping this time would be it for these ladies. I mean falling in love in Italy, could it get any better than that?

As for Bo. I'll let her tell her side in a minute, but let's just say she developed a real particular type of woman she would date. Tall, blonde, quiet. But no one matched up to our lovely lady in the tomato stained chef coat.

Basically, these two dummies were hard of hearing when the cosmos were shouting in their face. And that's why I'm back down here.

Thank god Meg let me bring my bow and arrow, I have the distinct feeling I'm going to be shooting both of them in the ass.


Bo

I followed Lauren to the small back patio of the restaurant. My stomach was turning, twisting and I wanted to go back inside and force Bonnie to do this. I wasn't at all prepared to have Lauren standing right in front of me and have all the feelings rush back. The good ones and the bad ones.

I clenched my jaw and looked up at the old buildings around us. It was a sunny afternoon, and I could smell the fresh bread baking next door. I'd notice this city was constantly alive and it was renewing my soul. That is until I locked eyes with Lauren standing like she fell out of the sky.

After taking a seat in an old metal folding chair, I dug around in my pocket for a pen. I really didn't want to do this, but it was my job. I cleared my throat and began, "So, give me a little background on your job here and what you've been doing for the last few months. I know Fulvio told us you're one of his star pupils." I furrowed my brow as I held back wanting to ask her my own questions. Questions like, why did you push me away? Why couldn't we've been more and stuck it out? Why did you choose Italy over me? And why were you so afraid?

I sighed, and looked up at Lauren. She was staring at me, in that same way she did in the noodle house back in Michigan.

Lauren smiled softly as she sat next to me, "I'm the assistant chef. I'm Fulvio's right hand and have been learning how to make pasta by hand for the last few months. He's also taken on showing me his own recipes, and we begun working on new ones together." She shifted in her seat awkwardly, "I don't know about star pupil. I work very hard and try my best." Her smile faded as I scribbled notes, doing my best to ignore looking at her. "What about you Bo? What have you been up to?"

I frowned at the question and kept my head down. "This isn't about me, Lauren. I'm working."

I lifted my head up to catch that one blonde hostess come out on to the patio with two cups of coffee. She grinned at the both of us. "Fulvio sent me out here with espresso." She set the cups down and winked at us. "There's a little amaretto in there, figured it'd loosen up the tension in the air." She walked away, casting Lauren a strange look.

I huffed, of course Lauren would have a suitor. I was just a stranger she went on a date with. I went to stand up and go back inside. "I should go check on Bonnie."

Lauren reached over, grabbing my elbow. "Bonnie is fine. She's being charmed to death by Antonio, our pastry chef." She looked up at me with the big amber eyes, making my heart skip a few beats. "Sit, Bo. Have some spiked coffee and talk to me." She smiled softly, "I think we both need to talk about things that aren't food related."

I closed my eyes, "We don't have anything to talk about. You made it clear... I was just a friend." I bit my bottom lip, debating whether or not I should continue. Then my heart made the decision as I opened my eyes and looked at the woman. "What went wrong? Was I too forward?" I bit the inside of my cheek as I felt tears building. "Was I just a distraction? I really, really liked you Lauren." I shook my head as I freed my elbow from her grasp, and moved to the opposite of the small patio. "Maybe I liked you too much."

I felt my heart squeeze as the memories of heartbreak washed up from the pit of my stomach. I liked Lauren too much, had put all of my hope that she was love at first sight. I'd never felt like that with anyone, then I met Lauren. She made me feel whole, happy, and invincible, especially after that kiss. But then something shifted in her eyes on our second date, and she was different. I smiled, looking up at the bright blue sky, "Whatever. It's the past." I flipped open my notebook and turned to face Lauren. "How long have you been in Italy? Fulvio mentioned you worked in Rome for a month at a pasta factory."

Lauren sat in silence for a heartbeat, she tilted her head down to the coffee mug in her hands. "I liked you a lot, Bo." She paused for another heartbeat. "I went wrong. You weren't too forward, and you were never a distraction until I walked away from you." She ran a hand through her blonde hair. "You've distracted me ever since then, Bo. I see you in the crowds, in the art on the Sistine chapel, I see you when I make the noodles you love for lunch."

She smiled tightly, turning to look at me. "You were never just a friend, or a stranger. You were someone you blew past my sensibility and sat on top of my heart. Scaring the literal hell out of me, and I acted like a fool. A fool who ran off to Italy after treating you like I did." She took a sip of the coffee cringing at how much booze Tamsin put in it. "I know you're angry, probably hate me for ghosting on you like a stupid frat boy. But I believe there's a reason why you're standing in front of me in Italy. I think cupid is here, shoving an arrow in my ass and telling me I screwed up in Michigan, but I might have a second chance. With you."

I held my breath, my heart pounding in my ears as Lauren stopped talking and looked in her cup. I was angry with her for acting like a frat boy and treating me like she did, but... I also felt cupid was standing behind me, shoving arrows in my heart as I looked at the still beautiful blonde. I never forgot Lauren like I did the others I dated and broke up with. She was ingrained on my soul.

I stared at her for a moment, debating once more, until Lauren nodded and smiled painfully. "Um, I've been in Italy for eleven months. I did work in a pasta factory in Rome. I also worked in a few small shops as I made may to Florence. I've learned so much and hopefully when I go back to the states I can open up my own restaurant and share..."

"I do hate you, a little, yes." I blurted it out, throwing caution to the god damn wind. I was cursing cupid under my breath as I stepped towards Lauren, a startled look on her face. "But man, did you leave a mark on me. I might be completely insane, stupid, or just too kindhearted, but... would you like to go to dinner with me tonight? Have some pasta and talk?"

I gave her a confused look, one that matched hers. I shrugged, "One date, Lauren. One date to see if this is kismet between us or a stupid coincidence." Lauren raised her eyebrows, "I'm leaning towards kismet." She stood up, moving closer to me her amber eyes sparkling in the Italian sun. God, she was incredible looking.

"Yes, one date. But let me cook for you, please? I want you to understand a little more of what makes me tick." She reached down, pulling the notebook and pen from my hands. She drew a small map and scribbled an address underneath it. "This is my address. I live a few blocks from here, but no GPS will guide you correctly. Follow the map and look for the numbers on top of the door ways." She handed back the notebook. "Tomorrow? Say one o'clock? I'm off and Fulivo will close the kitchen between noon and four for his weekly trip to his mother's for lunch."

I read over her handwriting, my heart fluttering like a trapped hummingbird. This was crazy, I was crazy, but a voice in the back of my head and in the bottom of my heart said go with it Bo. Cupid's watching and approving. Follow the arrows. I internally rolled my eyes before closing the notebook. "Okay, one o'clock." I met her eyes and watched her smile as she took one step closer. The air growing thicker with the scent of her about to kiss me, in the air. I stood frozen as she lightly bit her bottom lip.

"Hey Cheffy Lauren, Fulvio wants you back in the kitchen to show the film crew how you make your gnocchi." Tamsin's rough voice broke the moment and us both taking a huge step back. I glanced at the blonde smirking. "Oh Bo, Bonnie would like you to film most of the process. Film how good Lauren can be with her hands." Tamsin chuckled and pushed away from the back door.

I glared at her subtle innuendo, "I'll be right in." I huffed looking at Lauren who was collecting the coffee mugs. "Why do I find her incredibly annoying, but endearing? She reminds me of someone I knew in my senior year."

Lauren laughed, waving for me to go inside. "Because she's both. I have no idea how long she's worked here, or where she came from. She just magically appeared this morning, acting like she knew me inside and out." Lauren and I walked through the kitchen, where we saw Bonnie, Tamsin and Fulvio prepping for Lauren.

I waved to Bonnie and looked back at Lauren, "Well, it's back to work. This shouldn't take long, we'll be out of your hair by dinner."

Lauren waved to Fulvio. "Stay for dinner, Bo. You and Bonnie can sit at the chef's table." She laid a hand on my shoulder. "I've changed my mind about tomorrow." I gave her a look, "What?"

Lauren grinned, "Oh we still have a lunch date tomorrow, but I suddenly decided now that you're here, I don't want to lose sight of you. I did it once..." She drifted off as Fulvio called out her name, beckoning her over. She squeezed my shoulder before letting go and rushing off. I stood for a moment, staring at the woman and shaking my head.

I was fighting it. Fighting the way made me feel. Call it being once burned twice shy, but I didn't want to fall for her again. I didn't want to put all of my chips on the table, but when she looked back at me with those big brown eyes and a smile, I knew. I knew cupid had landed his mark and I was going to fall all over for this woman. But I'd make her work for it. I smiled at Lauren and walked over to Bonnie handing me a camera and pointing where she wanted me to shoot from.


Tamsin

Why does everyone insist I'm a he and not a glorious she? I often wondered and never got a straight answer when I revealed myself to a few stubborn humans. They just always claimed it was Hallmark and their marketing ideas. Cupid was a chubby man child, not a bad ass woman. I'll have to have a talk with Evelyn in the PR department, maybe she can put a bug in some humans ear and get them to start drawing me on cards and valentines.

Anyway, it looks like the girls are on their way. I'm actually surprised at how bold Lauren was. But then again, spending nine months quietly obsessed with a woman and not understanding why until she was standing in front of you. Well, maybe she finally learned to shit or get off the pot. Or it could've been the little bit of love dust I sprinkled in her coffee with the amaretto. I didn't poison her or drug her, I just loosened her lips and opened her heart's eye. It's an old trick I use to get conversations started, and I was hoping Bo would drink the kool-aid, but she's going to be a tougher nut to crack. You see, Bo was already in love with Lauren when Lauren crapped all over her. She's still in love with the woman and now it's up to Lauren to romance her and for Bo to let Lauren in and be loved. Easy right? You'd all think that...but the perfect love is never an easy feat. Especially when one half of that love is burned and heartbroken.

Stay with me, I promise it'll be worth it. Or a least an entertaining read on a bathroom break at work.