sighed. “The same. Papà is praying I’ll give up this madness and come back to the company.”
“Surely not right now.”
“Of course not, but he fears I’ll stay away from the business for good.”
Rini’s brow lifted. “Do you think you’ve left the shipping business for good?”
“I don’t have an answer to that yet.”
“Well, I’m glad you were able to break away and come. Tomorrow we’ll go out on the cruiser and do some fishing. I’ve got some business ideas I want your opinion on. But tonight Alessandra has arranged dinner for us with one of your favorite fish dishes.”
To his chagrin, Guido had a problem he couldn’t talk over with Rini. How could he tell him that Rini himself was the problem? “I’m already salivating.”
Filled with shame over his own flawed character, he jumped out of the Jeep and grabbed his gym bag that contained all he needed for this weekend visit. They walked to the front entry. When Rini opened the door, they were greeted by a marmalade cat Guido had played with at the wedding.
“Well, hello, Alfredo.”
The housekeeper’s pet rubbed against Guido’s jean-clad leg. He put the bag down and picked him up, remembering that the cat was getting old and needed to be carried up and down stairs. “Did you know I was coming?”
Rini grinned. “He remembers you—otherwise he wouldn’t let you hold him.”
“I’m honored.”
“Let’s go up to your old room.” Rini grabbed Guido’s bag and they climbed the grand staircase two steps at a time past the enormous painting of Queen Joanna to the third floor. The windows in the bedroom looked out on the sea. He’d stayed in here before the wedding. “Go ahead and freshen up, then come down to the dining room.”
“I’ll be right there.” Still holding Alfredo, he said, “Thanks for inviting me.”
Rini headed for the entry. “I’ve missed our talks,” he said over his shoulder.
Guido watched him disappear out the door. What in the hell is wrong with you, Rossano? No bear hug for your best friend? What has Rini ever done to you?
He put the cat on the bed and slipped into the bathroom. When he came out, he opened his gym bag and pulled out two presents. One was a small gift he’d bought for Alessandra in Florence after a match. The other was a baby toy he’d seen in a store near his apartment. A little purple octopus with bells on the tentacles.
“We’d better not keep everyone waiting, Alfredo.” He gathered the cat in his arms along with the gifts and went down the staircase to the dining room. The second he walked in, the cat took one look at Alessandra and wanted to get down. Guido lowered him to the parquet floor.
Her gaze darted to Guido and she beamed. “So that’s where the cat has been! You’re one of his favorite people.” She rushed over to hug Guido. He hugged her back and gave her his gifts.
“You want me to open them now?”
“I think I do.”
She removed the paper from the smaller box and lifted the lid. Inside was a small enamel painting of Queen Joanna framed in gold filigree, probably three by four inches. He heard her gasp. “Oh, Guido—”
“I saw it in Florence at the House of Gold and couldn’t resist. Consider it a gift to celebrate the publication of your book.”
Just then Rini came in the room. “Caro—” she cried and rushed over to show her husband.
His friend flashed him a warm glance. “You knew exactly what she’d love.”
“I read the book and was so impressed by your knowledge I had to do something to honor you.”
“I’m glad you liked it. This is exquisite. I’ll treasure it forever.” She laid it on the hunt board and undid the large gift. “Oh, how adorable! A purple octopus! Brazzo will love it!” She gave Guido a kiss on the cheek. “Come and sit down. We want to hear all about the team and how things are going.”
“First I want to hear about Brazzo.”
“He’s gorgeous! We’ll show you videos later.”
No sooner did they get settled and start to eat than Guido heard the helicopter overhead.
“That’ll be my parents,” Alessandra murmured as they enjoyed their meal. “They’ve been in Milan.”
“For another of Dea’s fashion shows?” Damn if the question wasn’t out before he could recall it.
“Oh—I guess you didn’t know that she has given up her modeling career.”
Guido’s fork dropped on his plate. No more modeling? He couldn’t comprehend it. “Since when?”
“Quite a while now. She realized the life of most supermodels fades after twenty-five years of age and it’s past time for her. Dea went back to her true passion and this last year has been finishing her degree at the Accademia Roma. This is her last semester.”
Her true passion? Guido blinked. He didn’t know she’d ever gone to college. “I had no idea. What is she studying?”
“Period costume fashion design. I’m so thrilled for her. She has an extraordinary gift in that area.”
Before Guido could think, he heard voices at the entry. Alessandra’s parents walked in the room, but he only had eyes for the gorgeous woman behind them. His heart thundered.
Dea!
She wore her long hair back in a chignon, a style he hadn’t seen her in. All that glossy brown hair with streaks of sunlight was hidden. The oval of her face with less makeup than he’d ever noticed before caused him to stare. With those dark burgundy eyes—like the color in a stained glass window—she was beautiful in a brand-new way.
Guido stood up and greeted the three of them. Alessandra begged her parents to join them for dinner, but they said they’d already eaten and were going upstairs.
“What about you, Dea?”
“I’d love some dinner, but first I want to see the baby. I brought Brazzo a present. I hope he doesn’t have a bear yet. This one speaks!” She handed it to Alessandra, who opened it and pressed the button. They all listened and laughed.
“Brazzo will love this, but we left him with Rini’s father and family. They wanted to give us a break.”
“I’m sure you’re thrilled, but I’m horribly disappointed.”
“There’ll be plenty of other times for the rest of our lives.”
“You’re right, of course.” She sat down at the table. “I left work without grabbing a bite and now I’m starving. This dinner looks wonderful. Baked halibut and vegetables with feta cheese. How perfect!”
She
