Educating Gina by Debbi Rawlins

bet it’s about Gina,” Robert finally said after a lull.
    “What about her?”
    “That’s what you wanted to talk to me about, right?” Robert grinned. “What? She’s boring you to death already?”
    “Not exactly,” Mike murmured. It felt wrong discussing her with anyone. And not just because of the possible business aspect. It was more about her, about not betraying their relationship. Crazy thinking since they’d only known each other for two days, but there it was.
    Robert frowned and studied him closely. “What’s up?”
    “Nothing. I was just thinking about how much work I have to do.”
    “Ah.” Robert nodded thoughtfully. “And Gina’s taking up all your time.”
    Mike shrugged, suddenly worried that Robert might want to step in and take Gina off his hands. He blinked. But that’s what he wanted, right? “She’s good about giving me time to get caught up. We’re working it out.”
    Robert rubbed the back of his neck, his brow furrowed. “Look, I know you guys are supposed to go to Coney Island today. I could take her.”
    It was obvious that was the last thing Robert wanted to do, so Mike knew he wouldn’t get an argument when he declined the offer. “You leave for vacation tomorrow. Go home and pack and get your last-minute stuff done.”
    “Okay, but don’t say I didn’t ask.”
    Mike snorted.
    Robert gave him a sheepish grin. “When I get back I promise I’ll take over.”
    “Don’t worry about it.” Mike got up for more coffee. He had at least another hour to sort his mail, dictate a couple of letters, and then brace himself for another day of hurricane Gina before he had to go get her. “I have everything under control.”
    “I hope so.” Robert nudged his chin in the direction of the office lobby. “Look who Pop brought with him.”



5
    G INA SAT AT M IKE’S computer in the corner of his office while he studied a piece of paper at his desk.
    She tried to stay focused on the computer screen, but her gaze kept wandering over to him. He looked particularly handsome this morning with his light-brown hair a little messy and his chin stubbly.
    She wondered if today they would kiss, how his beard-roughened jaw would feel on her skin.
    She realized she had sighed out loud when he looked up and met her eyes. Quickly she forced her attention back to the computer.
    “I won’t be much longer,” he said. “About another fifteen minutes.”
    “Do not hurry. I am fine.” She was in a great mood. Nothing could ruin her day. Zio Antonio had not said anything about her new jeans.
    She found the Sex and the City Web site she was searching for and helped herself to a tablet of paper and pen lying nearby. She had misplaced the list of nightclubs she had printed off her computer at home. The clubs the four women on the show went to. Mike would probably not want to go to most of them. He would worry about upsetting Zio Antonio, but she would persuade him.
    It took more than ten minutes to copy everything she wanted. Although she had learned to speak English at a very young age, she had never read or written the language much, except during high-school English classes. She reviewed the list and realized she had written it half in Italian.
    “Just a few more minutes—”
    The phone rang and Mike groaned. He snatched it up and gave his last name, instead of a greeting.
    She thought about leaving the room, but it was obviously a business call and not a personal one. Besides, she loved listening to him talk about work. He sounded very confident and smart. She liked the way he looked, too, his face so serious and focused as he described the latest merlot they had bottled.
    He hung up and gave her an apologetic smile. “Are you ready for the beach?”
    She nodded. “But if you still have work to do, I do not mind waiting.”
    “I could work until midnight and never get caught up. Let’s go.”
    “Maybe I could help you.”
    He laughed. “That’s okay. It’ll all still be here when I