"Arrius Flavius! I can't believe it's you!"

Arrius looked at the woman inside the litter and was dumbfound. First Hermes and now Livia. What was next? This wasn't his day.

Arrius forced a nice smile.
"Livia, my dear. What a pleasant surprise. How have you been?"

Livia looked at him and waved her finger.
"Oh no, you aren't getting off the hook that easily. You came back to Pompeii and didn't get in touch with me?"

Arrius shifted uncomfortably.
"Uh...I've been busy, very busy."

Livia looked at Verrius and smiled. She wondered if the man was what Arrius had been busy with.

"Pardon me Livia but this is my friend Verrius Valerius from Rome. We've come to Pompeii on business and believe me we haven't had time for anything else. I swear that I was going to contact you." Arrius hoped that she would believe him.

"You sly fox Arrius Flavius, of course you were. How could you forget all of those hot passionate nights we spent together?" She said it mainly just to see how his friend Verrius would react. She was hoping for some kind of jealous reaction but was sadly disappointed. Verrius just stood there continuing to smile at her.

Arrius looked at Verrius and then at her. "Livia, now is not the time to talk about our past but I do want to see you."

Livia laid it on heavy.
"That is wonderful. I would like that very much. Are you staying at Green Acres? How is Sextus? As I recall the two of you were practically inseparable."
She then looked at Verrius. "Have you met our Sextus?"

Verrius shifted uncomfortably.
"Why yes I have as a matter of fact."

Livia smiled at him.
"I'm surprised that he let you leave Green Acres. You're a very handsome man. Sextus seems to attract handsome men like moths to a flame."

"I only met him briefly and he seemed perfectly charming, I don't know what you're talking about." Verrius lied but didn't care. He didn't want this woman to get the better of him.

Arrius chimed in.
"Livia, behave yourself. You'll give Verrius the wrong impression."

Livia lowered her eyes.
"I'm sorry Arrius, it's just that I've missed you terribly. And Verrius, I apologize to you to. Please forgive me."

"No offense taken my lady. Why don't we get off to a better start. As I was telling Arrius just before you arrived I have purchased the Scaurus villa and plan on staying in Pompeii for a while. I will make the arrangements for the three of us to get together there within one week. It would be my honor to have you as my first guest."

Livia beamed. maybe she had misjudged the man. If he had purchased the Scaurus place then he must have gobs of money, even more then Arrius. For one wicked moment she pictured the three of them locked together in a passionate embrace.