The Informant

Chapter Eight

Dante had first taken me to the movies, I was surprised that he'd actually opted for a sappy romantic rather than an action-packed film. Which made it all the more mushy when he'd done the whole, stretch-and-rest-my-arm-over-your-shoulder thing. I'd resisted the urge to giggle. It felt like high school all over again. And when the movie was over he took me to his apartment and surprised me with a delicious home cooked meal.

We had talked non-stop over dinner, and I quickly came to the realization that our constant chatter was easy, and content. It felt good to connect with someone other than Samantha.

"It was good, yes?" He asked after I finished the last bite of real homemade spaghetti and meatballs.

I giggled and nodded, "Yes, it was." I said as I patted my stomach playfully. "Very good, thank you."

He blew out a nervous breath, "Good, I'm not usually the one who does the cooking." He explained.

A big goofy smile graced my face, "Well, I couldn't even tell."

"I'm not used to this, you know. I don't do this type of thing. But with you-" he paused, running a hand through his thick messy head of dark hair, "You're just different."

I needed to lay it out to him, like Samantha had said, lay it all on the table and hope that he'd be up for it. "Look, Dante, tonight was great, but I've come to realize that I need to find myself again, and I'm not ready for another relationship. I just-" I paused trying to come up with the right words to explain, "I guess- I guess I'm just...lonely."

He nodded slowly, "So, for lack of better words, you just want sex, yes?" He asked.

I couldn't tell from his tone or his body language if he was up for it, but I hope to the heavens above he was. "Sex would be nice, but mostly  just friendly companionship... And sex." I smiled at my jest.

His silence started a frenzy panic to erupt inside me, and like usual I began to babble. "If you're not up for it I understand, I just don't think I can do more, you know. Not right now, probably not for a while actually. But-but I do like your company, and let's not forget the sex, the sex is great, more than great, phenomenal. Yeah, that's a better word, I mean I haven't had sex like that since- well since ever, and-"

He chuckled silencing me from my constant babble, "Mia, Mia I get it. You just need someone to have a little fun with every now and then, yes? I can do fun, I know fun. I'm actually a little relieved, I'm not particularly the romantic type."

"Well, you did a wonderful job of it tonight." I reassured.

"Grazie, bella. You'd have to thank Enzo on that one though."

I laughed, "Oh, before I forget, what did you mean earlier at my house, when you spoke in Italian?"

He paused, trying to remember what he'd said, "When?" He asked, still trying to remember.

"You know, when you first walked in and saw me. Something like, 'hay rotto la foto' or whatever?" I knew I had just butchered his beautiful and very foreign home language, but maybe he wouldn't notice. I mentally crossed my fingers in hope.

He nodded in understanding as he chuckled, "That was probably the cutest thing I've ever heard." He noticed.

I blushed, casting my eyes downward. Note to self: don't ever try that again.

He slipped his long index finger under my chin, softly forcing my gaze to his. "Don't be embarrassed, I'm surprised you even got that close. It translates to English as, 'You took my breath away.'" He clarified, a small breath-taking smile gracing his lips.