Chapter 14. Best Man

LORENZIO

[Florence, Italy]

"Nah. You'll still see me 'round once in a while. And if you need anything, just email me."

"Sì, sappiamo. Ma ci mancherete molto, capo." [Yeah, we know. But we'll miss you a lot, boss.]

"I'll tell Raffaele to make this a thing, and pay you more." I faked a grin for Davide, one of our pharmacy chain's oldest branch managers, aware that our new pharmacists were all eyes on us from their dining tables.

Davide laughed with his tubby hand on his beer belly. "Così va meglio." [That sounds better.]

"I know." We did a quick toast with our wine glasses. The clinking noises made me squint as I put on another chuffed smile. That ibuprofen pill was no match for this bloody jet lag. "See you soon."

Grinning from ear-to-ear, Davide nodded and raised his glass. "Happy birthday! Enjoy New York."

"Thanks." I turned around, the midday sun warming up the rest of my face and neck, forcing me to step away from the windows. Holdi