only got five miles before he cursed and slapped the steering wheel. He could not believe fate was so cruel to bring them together only to tear them apart.
But he also knew he could not ask her to sacrifice for him one more time. She had a life, dreams …
Hell, she had a right to her dreams. God knew, he was living his. There were no fewer than eight restaurants that wanted him. He could—and had—named his price. While she’d been stuck in Monte Calanetti, he could go anywhere he wanted—
He stopped his thoughts. He could go anywhere he wanted. Including Florence. He might not be able to ask her to give up her dream for him, but he sure could give up one little restaurant for her.
He turned his car around with a screech of tires.
Lily pulled herself together as best she could, but it wasn’t good enough. She needed to go home and cry this out.
She walked into the kitchen to ask Chef Rafe if she could have the afternoon off, but the back door opened and Mic walked in.
Her heart sped up, then slowed to a crawl. He was probably back for something he forgot. She turned and raced out of the kitchen just in time to see Gino escort customers to a table. She grabbed her order pad.
She got as far as saying, “Today’s specials are …” when she was lifted off her feet and swung around.
She blinked a few times and Mic’s face came into focus. “Mic?”
“Si.”
“What are you doing!”
“I’m taking you with me.”
“To Paris?” At first the idea thrilled her. She couldn’t bear to be without him. Then the whole thing sunk in. He was taking her to a city she didn’t know with no promise of a future. No mention of love.
“Put me down!”
“No. I lost you once. I’m not losing you again.” The words were nice, sweet, and filled her heart with such hope it almost burst, but they weren’t enough.
“I’m not going to Paris.”
“Good because I’m not going to Paris either.”
By this point, they were at Gino’s Maître D podium. He reached behind him and slid her coat off its hanger. Handing it to her, usually gruff Gino grinned. “It’s cold out there. You’re going to need this.”
She caught the coat as they whipped by Gino. “Mic!”
He set her down beside his car. “Eight years ago, you gave us up so I could live my dream. Now, I give up one measly restaurant so you can live your dream.”
She blinked. “What?”
“I can work anywhere I want!” He waved his arms as if to indicate the world. “I have two offers in Florence.”
“And you’re coming with me?”
“No. We’re going together. We’re getting married. And then we’ll both live our dreams.”
Her mouth fell. Her head spun. Her heart almost believed him. “But we don’t know each other.”
“We’ve always known each other.” He paused, stepped closer. “Always loved each other.” He laid his hand on her chest. “Your heart tells me.”
Her lips trembled.
“You don’t believe me?”
When she said nothing, he shook his head. “What is wrong?”
“I need to hear you say it.”
“Say … that I love you?” He laughed. “I love you. I adore you. I have always adored you. And I will not let you tell me no this time.”
A laugh broke through her tears. She bounced to her tiptoes and threw her arms around him. “Then I say yes. Yes. I love you. Yes, I will marry you.”
She barely got the words out of her mouth before he kissed her and for the first time in eight years Lily Norelli was whole again.
The Vineyards of Calanetti Saying “I do” under the Tuscan sun…
Deep in the Tuscan countryside nestles the picturesque village of Monte Calanetti. Famed for its world-renowned vineyards, the village is also home to the crumbling but beautiful Palazzo di Comparino.
Empty for months, rumors of a new owner are spreading like wildfire…and that’s before the village is chosen as the setting for the royal wedding of the year!
It’s going to be a roller coaster of a year, but will wedding bells ring out in Monte Calanetti for anyone else?
Find out in this fabulously heartwarming, uplifting and thrillingly romantic new eight-book continuity from Mills & Boon® romance!
A Bride for the Italian Boss by Susan Meier
Return of the Italian Tycoon by Jennifer Faye Available August 2015
Reunited by a Baby Secret by Michelle Douglas
Soldier, Hero…Husband? by Cara Colter
His Lost-and-Found Bride by Scarlet Wilson
The Best Man & the Wedding Planner by Teresa Carpenter
His Princess of Convenience by Rebecca Winters Saved by the CEO by Barbara Wallace
SUSAN MEIER is an author of over fifty books for Mills & Boon. The Tycoon’s Secret Daughter was a RITA® Award finalist, and Nanny for the Millionaire’s Twins won the Book Buyer’s Best award and was a finalist in the National Reader’s Choice awards. She is married and has three children. One of eleven children, she loves to write about the complexity of families and totally believes in the power of love.
I want to thank the lovely editors at Mills & Boon for creating such a great continuity! Everyone involved LOVED this idea. Thank you!
ITALY
