"You look very beautiful tonight." No response.

"John is lucky to be doing business with you……and Carson, of course. No one knows the magazine business like you do. He's always had these grandiose ideas of how to run a business, and I think it's gotten him into a few scrapes along the way."

Still no response. Not even a bob of the head. OK. He had to risk an argument here, but he couldn't stand the silence.

"Amanda, I owe you an apology." Her head turned a bit.

"Before we came to Venice, I did a little bit of research on the Luna Company myself. Although I didn't know that John and Giovanni were one in the same…….they never called him anything but Giovanni or Mr. Luna in any of the articles I read…….I suspected it. Too many coincidences! I'm sorry I never said anything." His eyes shifted downward.

She spoke.

"I can't blame you for that. I walked into this with my eyes wide open. So did Carson. We did a thorough background check on the Luna Company and found nothing to be suspicious of. Why would we? ……….I just feel so stupid." Amanda never once glanced over to where Cameron was.

He looked up. "You're not stupid, Amanda. Far from it."

"But that's what I feel like. I don't know how I'm going to deal with him on a daily basis. He lied to us…to me…to Carson…and to you. In all our chats beforehand, not once did he mention how financially embarrassed his company really was. Nor did he happen to say that he knew you. I would never conduct business this way. I never have."

"I guess that's one of the things I admire about you."

Amanda smiled, but it quickly disappeared once the car stopped.

"Why have we stopped? We're nowhere near the hotel."

"I know that. I just thought we could both use a breather before we headed back. I hope you don't mind."

Cocking her eyebrow, Amanda just shook her head and glared at Cameron. He couldn't help it. He laughed.

"There's THAT look again! The same one you had when I told you to call me Mr.Sinclair the first time."

"…I remember………But where have you taken me?"

"You'll see." Cameron got out of his side of the car and went around to Amanda's door. Opening it, he took her hand and helped her out. They walked to the car's edge.

"This….This is what I wanted to show you."

Ahead of them was one of the most beautiful sights in Venice, one lost on those who forget to adventure into the unknown. Cameron, in his excursions with Alexandra and Taj, had discovered a spot, near the beginning of the Grand Canal, where you could gaze into the night sky and its' illumination of the city below.

"Cameron…..I've never seen anything like this. It's amazing."

"I know. That's why I've come here most evenings just to look at those stars. Reminds me of home."

"Getting a little homesick?"

"Maybe just a little. I guess I miss that pest of a brother of mine more than I thought. But if you ever mention it to him, I'll deny it."

"I don't talk much to Gary these days."

"Yeah, I know…I'm sorry about that." He went to the driver's side of the car and knocked on the window. It opened and the driver handed him a blanket.

Amanda was not paying attention to where Cameron had been. "You have nothing to be sorry for. It's me. Gary's upset with how I've been treating you. I haven't been very nice….."

Returning, Cameron had to agree. "Or honest. Don't forget that. You said it yourself."

Laughing, she had to concede. "Yes…..or honest."

"I want to talk to you about that……..But first, this." He flipped the blanket onto the hood of the car. He motioned for Amanda to climb up. She did. Then he hopped on.

"Thank you."

"For what?" Cameron asked.

"For leaving the party with me. I guess I really was in no mood to be alone."

"I knew that."

"Somehow I figured you would."

"Now…about this honesty thing……" Cameron laid back, hands behind

his head, and just enjoyed the view before him.

********************************************************

The food quite tasty. The view extraordinary. The company pleasurable, for the most part. But Amanda had left. With Cameron. Up to that point, Giovanni hoped he could smooth things over with her. He may have been underhanded to a point, but the Luna company did need her help. It was one of the reasons Giovanni campaigned to entice Amanda to 'visit' Italy.

He hadn't counted on actually falling for her. She was everything he could imagine. Exquisite. Intelligent. Strong-willed. Even his mother thought Giovanni had met his match.

In that one moment, he made up his mind. Giovanni excused himself from his guests and went into the library. Dialing the phone, he didn't know what kind of reception he would get on the other end, but he knew this is something he had to do. To save his relationship with Amanda.

The star-filled sky felt like a comforting blanket once Amanda and Cameron had left Giovanni's. He had tried to keep his word about 'no talking'. Since they first sat on the car, only a few chosen words had passed between them.

"How did you ever become interested in stars anyway?" Amanda asked.

"When I was a kid, I loved camping outside. Our neighbor gave us an old telescope that he found in his attic. Gary and I spent a lot of time watching for shooting stars…….spaceships….you name it, whenever we had the chance. You know how kids are."

"Sounds like you and Gary were close when you were young."

"We were. He was there for me when he could be."

"Matthew and I…….we were never like that. Not until we grew up."

"When I have kids, I want 5 or 6 of them. I never want any of them feeling alone and lost. I want them to be close, and do things together. Help each other with their homework. Play ball. All of that."

"Sounds like you have your life pretty much figured out."

"If only that were the case. Never in my right mind would I have thought I'd meet my potential boss on a bus. Or be a model making this outrageous amount of money……..or be here, in Italy, in one of the most beautiful spots in the world…..with you. After what happened between us in New York."

"Cameron…..about all that…….I need to tell you…."

He sat up. Amanda had his attention. " Yes?"

"I don't think I even know where to begin."

"I have an idea about that!" He couldn't help but chuckle.

"Oh, I'm sure you do."

"How about starting with telling me that we should have gone on that picnic together?"

"Ok. I agree with you….Now…. Even my mom said I should have gone."

"That's why I liked that mother of yours so much. Not only does she have an attractive daughter, but she's smart too."

"Flattery will get you nowhere, Mr. Sinclair." They both smiled.

"I think it just might be getting me somewhere, at least I hope so."

"Cameron….." She paused before continuing.

"Amanda, all I ever wanted was for you to give us a chance to get to know each other. That's it.''

"I know that. I knew that when we first met…….when we danced at the gala for Brava…….. when I visited you in the hospital after you were beaten up….I knew that all along. But I was afraid to say even one word. From the minute you took that obstinate attitude with me, I knew it. I'm sorry Cameron. For all of it. "

Cameron sat there for a moment.

"Cameron?"

No response.

"Cameron….what? Now it's you have nothing to say?"

"You surprise me Miss Cory. I never used to be a person who liked them….surprises I mean. Not until the first time I saw you."

"I remember that. I thought you were looking right through me."

"I was……I mean….." Cameron blushed. Amanda caught him off guard, something that didn't happen much to him.

Amanda started to shiver. Cameron took off his jacket and covered her shoulders with it, leaving his arms there for just a second longer than he should.

"Maybe we should go."

"Not before you make me a promise."

"And what's that?"

"That we'll have our picnic tomorrow…after we're done with the Luna's and business……Is it a deal? Cameron hopped off the car's hood and extended his hand to Amanda.

"Deal." She shook his hand."But only if you allow me to arrange everything." Cameron agreed and went to help Amanda off the car. It would have been fine had her heel not caught in the bumper. She tumbled into him. Not that he minded.

"Amanda, I don't think we're ready for 'this' yet?"

"This?? What this? I fell into you. It was an accident. My heel got caught."

"A likely story. You want me. Admit it."

"Cameron Sinclair, you are impossible."

"But you like me don't you?"

"Of course I like you."

"Our picnic still on?"

"Of course it's still on. Nothing will stop us this time. Not if I have anything to say about it. Now, will you kindly ask the gentleman behind the wheel to take us back to the hotel? We have another long day ahead of us tomorrow."

"After you then, Miss Cory." Holding the door open for Amanda, he gently tapped on the driver's window. Once both passengers were inside, the driver made his way back to their hotel.

Tomorrow was another day. Neither Cameron nor Amanda could wait for it to begin.

 ********************************************************

Morning arrived and with it, the promises of a new day. Taj was usually the first one up between himself and Cameron. But not today. He was more than a bit surprised when he knocked on the door and found Cameron dressed, trying to eat and even in a remarkably good mood.

"My god, what happened to you?" Taj snapped.

"What do you mean? Can't anyone be in a good mood without getting the third degree from you?" Cameron quipped.

"Third degree? I just asked you one simple question. What gives?"

"Everything is finally the way it should be. Between me and….."

"Wait. Let me guess. Between you and Miss Amanda Cory."

"Bingo! And that's all I'm going to say. For now at least. I don't want anything or anyone disrupting this shoot for Amanda or Carson. You think you can keep your mouth shut?"

"It's gonna be hard, my man. We all know you left together last night. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out what happened to you two once you left the Luna's."

"You can all think what you want. My lips are sealed!"

Taj sat down next to Cameron and gave his a friendly pat on his shoulder. Before Cameron had a chance to respond, Taj spotted the last croissant left on the tray and grabbed it.

"Is food the only thing you can think about this morning?"

Taj chuckled. "I guess I could ask you the same thing, but you and I both know what that answer would be." He swallowed the last bite of the stolen croissant and walked into his room, leaving a hungry but happy Cameron behind.

 ********************************************************

Early risers the Luna's were not. Except Giovanni. He felt particularly hopeful this morning. He found the quietness peaceful. Taking a long, leisurely shower was a perfect way to begin the day. Not his ideal way, but pleasant enough.

Giovanni had called his brother to confirm the early call the models had. Once that was established, he found the breakfast waiting for him quite delicious. Today would be an eventful day, indeed.