"Leo!"
Turning, Leonardo shook his head, trying to bite back a groan as Ezio walked into his office, damn near black hair perfectly styled, clothes flawless as usual. The man was a walking billboard for GQ, and the bad thing was, he knew it. They had also been best friends since the second grade, and moved to the States a few months from each other. Well, he moved here for a job, Ezio moved here because his parents thought he was going to get killed if he stayed in Firenze from all the fathers he was pissing off. It was a good move, but he was back to his old tricks.
"Thought you were heading home for the week?" Leo asked as he shuffled the papers that were piling up on his desk. More projects were coming in by the day, and it was his job as one of the senior designers to sort through the mess, make sense of them, and distribute them to the workers.
The brown-eyed male shrugged with a sideways grin. "Mother told me not to come. Something about them heading to Venice for Petruccio's treatment. On a side note, Federico will be arriving at the airport later. Wanted to see if you would like to go with me? You know how much I love driving through the traffic there." And there was the sarcastic tone that he was good for.
Not being able to help rolling his eyes, Leo shook his head. "Sorry. I'll be here late. Big project just came in, and I'm overseeing it. The first one I get to do on my own without Jax looking over my shoulder at every turn." It was the break he was looking for, and if it went off right, there was a promotion in his future. Bigger office, more space, and better pay. "Just a question, but shouldn't you be at work right now?"
Another shrug. "Nope. That job was only temporary. Ended yesterday. Thought I told you that."
A long groan escaped him. Ezio was always finding the high paying temp jobs that people dreamed of. One month he escorted a few dignitaries around the Boston area when they were visiting, and was well compensated for his time. His father, Giovanni, had a hand in that. The other noteworthy one was when he was chosen to be an extra in a movie that was filmed in the area. Then almost got ejected from the set, and lynched, when he began to flirt with the director's young wife.
"I guess we could go have that lunch now. That is why you're here, correct?" Anything to get the man out of his office, and away from the floor. Too many women worked there and there was only so much time to reel him in.
Taking to the elevators, he watched Ezio wave at a few of the ladies, who either rolled their eyes at him, or smiled back. Isabella shook her head as they passed her station at the receptionist's desk. "What are you doing here, stronzo?" Her green eyes watched the two of them, but with a smile on her face. She was the only one in the whole building the spoke fluent Italian, much to Leo's delight. Sometimes a man just liked to talk in his home language.
Ezio, forever the joker, placed his hand over his heart. "Bella, sweet Bella, must you be so cruel every time you lay your eyes on me?"
The younger woman snorted. "Yes, because you deserve it a good portion of the time." But they grinned at each other.
The elevator dinged, signaling it had finally arrived. With a smirk from Ezio towards Isabella, and a rude gesture from the redhead, they boarded the small car headed for the ground floor.
Once the doors were shut, Leo looked at him. "One day that girl is going to get a wild hair up her ass, and kick yours."
Laughing, Ezio leaned against the side in an easy, relaxed fashion that only he could pull off. "Doubtful. Des would stop her. If I am injured, and cannot work, who will pay the other half of the rent?"
Groaning at his antics, the blonde shook his head. "You know, one day you are going to have to grow up."
"Nope." And all talking ceased as the elevator stopped on the ninth floor, and two women walked in. One he knew from working with her on the last project. Alanna smiled at him as she boarded with her companion, and bumped Ezio with her hip.
"Hey guys, finally taking that date you have always been talking about?" Her gray eyes sparkled with humor, causing the two of them to spit and sputter, getting a laugh from the woman next to her. "Hopefully you're going somewhere nice."
It was well known around the office that Leo preferred the males of the species, but Ezio was as straight as they came. The brunette glared at the female. "I think you've been hanging out with Altair too much. His cruelness has been rubbing off on you."
She laughed at him, causing Leo to grin. "For your information, I have not been hanging out with Altair at all. You're just an easy target." Then she gesture to her companion. "I'm being rude. Ezio, Leo, this is Sofia Sartor. Just moved her. Sofia, meet Leonardo da'Vinci, and Ezio Auditore." Then in a more dramatic whisper, she added. "Stay away from Ezio. You have been warned. He's nothing but trouble."
Ezio sneered, and Alanna smirked, causing both Leo and Sofia to laugh. "A pleasure to meet the two of you." Sofia smiled, and her voice caused him to blink rapidly.
"You're Italian?" He asked.
"Si. I came to the States to go to college and never left." Her eyes grazed over both of them, but lingered a little on Ezio. And to his amazement, so did Ezio's, but not in his normal way. More like he was trying to figure something out, type of look.
Before any of them could say another word, the elevator came to a stop at the bottom floor. Alanna waved. "See you around guys." And she walked off with Sofia.
Ezio's eyes watched them leave, and Leo couldn't help but grin broadly. "Admit it. You want to go ask her out."
His friend's head snapped around, and looked dumbly at Leo. "Who? Alanna?"
Grabbing the other man's sleeve, he pulled him along. "No you twit, Sofia. She's pretty, if you're into that sort of thing. Alanna's not bad either, but I believe you two would kill each other. Given half the chance."
Trying to play it cool, Ezio grinned. "You know you're seeing things, right? I think you need to go on a date."
Not one to pass up a chance to creep him out, Leo batted his eyes at him. "You offering? You are kind of hot." The most horrified look passed over Ezio face, causing Leo to crack up laughing. It always happened when he said shit like that. Most of the time it was just to get that reaction, but he would never admit out loud that he really did think his friend was hot. That might freak him out more. "Relax. Just messing with you once more, amico mio. You are so homophobic sometimes, it blows my mind."
Snorting, Ezio pushed open the glass door, and the two of them walked out into the sunshine. "For your information, I am not homophobic. It's just strange to hear you say that. I mean, we've been best friends for like forever. I think I was the first one you told that you liked guys. We used to share the same bed when you would sleep over."
That got a nod. He was. They had been in high school, and where Ezio and Federico were hitting on anything that had a pair of tits, Leo watched the track runners, and the jocks, trying to figure out why he wasn't like his friends. Sure, he tried to date a few women, but nothing panned out. The thought of having sex with them was, in a lack of a better term, unappealing.
The small café they normally visited came into view. They had good sandwiches, and a friendly atmosphere. The waiter wasn't half bad either, Leo thought with a grin. That was one of the reasons he went there all the time. That, and it was really close to the office.
Lucy and Rebecca were already there when they walked in, and gave a friendly wave. Most of the people at the office knew each other in and out of the workplace. He liked most of his co-workers and they made life interesting.
Taking a seat, they placed their orders, and Leo watched the retreating backside if the waiter. He was eye candy to be sure, but straight from what he had seen. He flirted with the women that sat around, but he was nice to guys as well. A good all-around guy.
After the drinks were sat down, Leo spoke to his friend. "So when is Federico's flight getting in?"
Looking down at his watch, Ezio sighed. "In a few hours. I have to be there around six. I hate going to the airport."
"Well, you'll get to see your brother. That has to be a plus." Federico didn't often visit the States, but when he did, it was a party. Both Auditores were playboys, but at least the eldest could reel his brother in when needed, but he could be just as bad at times.
Taking a sip if his pop, the brunette nodded. "Yeah, I have missed my brother."
Sorry, I love to pick on Ezio. grins