Gathering all their things out of the cab they headed into the lobby of Antonio's building. It was 9:30 am. They were early for the fashion show. The lobby was a large impressive well lit space with a fountain, plants, and comfortable leather arm chairs scattered about. Near the center was a large reception desk.

The air is cool in here, thank goodness. Even with my light clothing I can't handle the heat outside. Betty looked around as Gio and Daniel talked to the receptionist. She flirted with them shamelessly. Dyed blonde. Short, but otherwise perfect. Drop-dead gorgeous. An Italian Amanda. They were twins separated at birth, one raised in New York and the other in Rome. And both Daniel and Gio were clearly enjoying her attention.

"In this way" Gio took Betty by the elbow, led her to the back of the lobby, and entered a small auditorium. Daniel, Betty and Gio took in the sight of the many employees rushing around frantically getting ready for the show. It was scheduled to start in less than half an hour. Off to the side of the doorway was a table covered with refreshments.

"Ah, I knew everything we would need would be here." said Daniel, noticing Betty looking longingly at the pastries. "Go ahead, help yourself."

Gio and Betty loaded up a couple of plates with fruit slices and pastries. Gio poured juice for Betty and coffee for himself. They sat down to eat while Daniel went to find Antonio.

"What's the situation with your parents and lunch?" Betty asked Gio.

"They are in town today and would like to get together with us. They're going to make reservations at a place just down the street and meet us here in the lobby at noon." Gio replied.

"Okay, that sounds good." Betty replied taking another bite of the cool and delicious melon slice. Was it just a week ago that we'd had lunch with them? It seems like a lifetime ago. I don't even recall anything that we talked about.

Betty noticed a commotion around the doorway. About thirty elegantly dressed older women entered the auditorium. They look just like Claire. They were women of a certain age yet still very good looking and fashionable. Betty recognized that they were speaking English with New York accents. She heard the names Gucci, Armani, Prada, Dolce and Gabbana, Versace, Valentino, and other Italian designers, in their cheerful and noisy conversation with each other. Tourists. One of the women, who seemed to be their leader, looked around and started to walk towards Gio and Betty. She was impeccably dressed and looked cool and confident.

"I can hear you are speaking English, thank god" she exclaimed " … can you speak Italian? I need help" she said extending her hand to Betty "oh, please excuse my manners. My name is Wendy. We are in a bit of trouble."

"Hello Wendy" Betty said "I don't speak Italian but my … uh " she paused " … fiancé does." How strange that sounds. But, how wonderful it feels. Betty smiled proudly and waved towards Gio.

"Yes, ma'am. At your service. How can I be of help?" Gio said, his expression brightening.

Wendy continued "Can you come with me to the receptionist? I need help explaining something to her." Gio nudged Betty with his elbow. Women were after him already and the day hadn't even started yet.

Gio turned to Betty inquiringly. Betty rolled her eyes. "Go ahead. I'm going to stay in here and write my notes for Daniel."

"I'll be back as soon as I can." said Gio and he headed towards the doorway.

"I promise I won't keep him long." said Wendy as she turned to go. She ushered the other women in the group towards the seats and told them she would join them there soon.

Daniel and Gio returned together and had just taken their seats on either side of Betty when the show started. I wonder what Wendy's problem was. I guess I'll find out at lunch.

Putting Wendy out of her mind, Betty turned her attention to the show and the notes she was writing. I have to come up with something good. Not that Daniel needs it. What am I saying, yes, he does. I have to think. This is my chance to save the day, and I intend to do just that. I wonder what Daniel's history with Antonio is. Never mind that. I'll get the story later. Focus. Focus on the task. Soon models appeared one by one on the stage. The clothing they are modeling is outrageous. Outrageous, hideous and skimpy. And I was worried about my blouse. Nobody here is going to be looking at me.

The audience included several prestigious photographers from around the world. The show was going well. Betty heard the rising excitement from Wendy's group. They were clearly pleased by the clothes they were seeing. To each their own, as they say. However, maybe it is a lesson for me. At the break I'll ask them what they are thinking. It's got to be better than what I think. It might even be useful. Betty returned to watching and writing.

After several more models had come and gone Gio leaned over to Betty's ear. "They are starting a fifteen minute break; want to get something to eat?"

"You always know what I want to hear." Betty smiled as she replied. Oh god. I am the eater. No wonder that nickname stuck. Daniel, Gio and Betty stood up. "What was Wendy's problem?"

"They were supposed to have a translator with them today. Wendy had hoped that someone here could fill in. She needs one for the lunch they have planned. They are supposed to be getting an education on Italian cuisine as part of today's activities but the person they had booked to do it just called in sick. After the luncheon Wendy is supposed to bring them back here to shop and place orders."

"So, did it get sorted out?" Betty asked.

"No. Everyone here is busy with the other show this afternoon. No one suitable is available." Gio replied. "Not only that, but Daniel said Antonio is upset because he wants this group to have a really good experience."

"Oh?"

"Tourist clientele like these are great for the label. There's lots of money in it. Lunch is in less than an hour and there isn't time to get a replacement from an agency. Antonio says that if they come back from lunch happy, then they will spend a lot this afternoon. He wants these ladies to have a good time and then to tell all their friends in New York."

"Hmm." Betty pondered the situation. She looked at Daniel. "So, Antonio wants these women to be happy?"

Daniel responded "Yes, he is upset by the situation. It almost seemed like if he hadn't been committed to lunch with me he would have taken them himself."

"And, we want to please Antonio, right?" Betty nodded to herself slowly, knowing the answer.

"We want his business, so the happier he is the better. Yes." Daniel said.

"Okay. So, how about if Gio takes Wendy's group to lunch? I'll go with his parents and you will go with Antonio. Everyone will be happy. What do you think?" Betty looked at Daniel and Gio expectantly.

"That's brilliant Betty!" Daniel exclaimed turning to Gio "What do you think?" Daniel winked at Gio "Can you forgo a lunch with Mom and Dad to take care of this emergency with the ladies?"

Gio smirked at Betty "I think I could. I just want everyone to remember it was Betty's idea."

Betty laughed and said "Okay. It is settled. Daniel and Gio, you had better let them know. I'm going to finish Daniel's notes. There's not much time left before lunch."

Betty picked up her notebook and headed over to Wendy's group to ask them some questions. Then she wrote down her ideas until the Daniel and Gio returned.

When Gio was seated beside Betty he leaned over. "I have an idea for you."

Betty turned to listen "Uh, huh?"

"Have you noticed that these ladies are perfect Hot Flash types?"

Betty squinted at them and thought about it. "Yes, I agree they are, … and that means what exactly?"

"Well, how about writing an article about Wendy and the travel packages she organizes for Hot Flash? Wendy will love it, Antonio will love it, and I think Claire will love it too." Gio said.

Oh, hmmm. I almost forgot I'm a magazine writer. This could be an interesting article. Fun group travel opportunities for fashionable women who want to see and buy designer clothes. That would definitely be perfect for the Hot Flash readership.

"What an excellent idea!" Betty could barely contain her excitement. "I could interview Wendy this afternoon while her group is shopping and you and Daniel are visiting the departments. Why don't you set that up with Wendy at lunch?"

Soon the show was over and everyone in the audience poured out into the lobby. Betty observed the receptionist looking directly at Gio. She was looking at him hungrily. Italian Amanda! She tried to figure out how she could hold on to Gio and casually flash her ring in Italian Amanda's direction at the same time. I never felt the need to practice that kind of maneuver before.

Gio, Daniel, Betty and Wendy paused in the lobby. Betty gave Daniel her notes, described what was in them, and made suggestions on how he was to present the ideas to Antonio. Gio and Wendy talked about the luncheon. After a few minutes Antonio walked up.

Antonio was tall, tanned, fit and very handsome. He wore an exquisitely tailored suit. I always thought of Daniel as the world's best dressed man, but he could take a few tips from Antonio.

Antonio bowed deeply to Wendy. He took her hand and raised it to his lips, kissed it gracefully, and then said "I apologize, my dear, for not having anyone to spare to help you today."

Daniel stepped up. "Antonio, I am pleased to tell you that my friend, Mr. Giovanni Rossi," Daniel motioned to Gio "a rising restaurateur from New York, who speaks Italian fluently and who also happens to be very knowledgeable about Italian cuisine, has offered to assist Wendy and her group at lunch. He is doing it as our favor to you."

Antonio smiled and looked relieved. He slapped Daniel on the back and said "Daniel, my friend. You have helped me today. Let's go to lunch and talk. Maybe we will even talk business."

Daniel glanced towards Betty and smiled when Antonio said 'my friend'. This is going even better than I had hoped. And soon Gio's parents will be here to meet me. It will be good to see them again. Betty flushed as she realized that she had completely forgotten Gio's parents' names. Uh oh, I am way past the Mr. and Mrs. Rossi stage.

Just as Gio was turning to go, Betty leaned over to him and whispered into his ear. "Gio, what are your mother and father's names? You have to remind me. Tell me quick, before you go."

Gio turned to look at her and laughed. Leaning in close to her ear he said "Call them Mom and Pop. They'll love it. I'll see you soon." and turned to walk away with Wendy.

He is insufferable. Before he took a step Betty raised her hand and hissed "Gio!" Then she remembered. No slapping. She turned the impending slap into a butt-slap. It was loud enough that Daniel heard it. Daniel turned and raised an amused eyebrow in her direction.

Gio whirled around to face Betty.

"Got you!" Betty smiled.

Gio looked at Betty intently and stepped close. His face was inches from hers. She stood her ground and stared back raising one eyebrow with a pleased look. A mischievous smile appeared on Gio's lips. Uh, oh. Don't look at the lips.

Gio cupped her head with both hands and suddenly kissed Betty hard on the lips, passionately and deeply, dipping her backwards. Oh, my god. Everyone is looking. Oh, my god, my knees are giving out. Betty grabbed Gio to keep from falling. After a while she stopped thinking about anyone else. She returned his kiss and moaned quietly.

Gio released her gently, continuing to hold onto her until she could stand upright by herself. Betty adjusted her glasses and smoothed her hair. He whispered in her ear "and that is how an Italian man touches his woman. I'll see you later."

Betty recalled where they were and blushed scarlet while looking around her. Everyone in the lobby was looking in their direction. The crowd included Wendy and the women in her group, Antonio, Daniel, the photographers, several other staff, and Italian Amanda. Italian Amanda was staring with her mouth open. I suppose I won't have to worry about Italian Amanda making eyes at Gio anymore. Betty became mortified all over again when she noticed that the crowd of onlookers included Gio's parents and his sisters Nella and Maria.

Gio left her to go greet his parents. She watched as he explained the sudden change of plans about lunch then departed with Wendy. How can he be so casual with them after that display? It must be the Italian way. Daniel smiled at Betty and left with Antonio. Betty was still blushing when Gio's family walked up to her.