head, Rosa said, “He does, bella. If he didn’t, you’d have been out within a day.”
“It’s not trust that’s keeping him there, Rosa. It’s suspicion. He thought I was Gino’s mistress.”
Rosa choked back a laugh. “Really?”
“Yes.” Beth bit her lip to stop a smile from escaping. “We both agreed to work this out together and not get the police involved.”
“Ah.” She tapped a finger on her chin in thoughtful silence.
“Look, there’s nothing—”
Marco returned then with a bottle of wine and four glasses, cutting off Beth’s protest.
She took the proffered glass, determinedly avoiding Rosa’s scrutiny.
“So you’re living with Luke, huh?” Marco began, grinning over the rim of his glass as he perched on the couch arm.
Beth swallowed a sigh. “Not that way we’re not.”
His eyebrows rose. “But you share a house.”
Ah, yes. The house. “For the moment, yes.”
“There you go.” Marco took a swig, rolled the wine around in his mouth then swallowed. “Significant milestone, I’d say.”
“You both look good together,” Rosa interrupted. “I can see there’s something else there than just friends. Sì?”
“No!” Beth cleared her throat and tried again. “No, there isn’t.”
Rosa made a noise that sounded suspiciously like a snort. “You need a good strong man in your life. I may be old but I know amore. Love, it will make your problems go away. It will make you trust again, eh?”
She took Beth’s still hands and squeezed. “I know how much you guard your secrets, bella. Lucio, he has a few of his own.”
Beth blinked, looking from Rosa to Marco grinning behind his wineglass.
Since when had the evening turned into a “what Beth needs is a man” discussion?
She recalled the times Rosa had mentioned her family. On the massage table, clients opened up and talked about the most intimate details of their lives—family feuds, career woes, relationships. Rosa’s favorite subject had been her family. She’d boasted of their virtues nearly every session, how talented her son was, how her handsome nephew needed a good woman to slow him down, make him appreciate life more.
Luke suddenly appeared, interrupting Beth’s response.
“You found it, Lucio?” Rosa asked, drawing away from Beth.
“Yes.” His eyes were expressionless, unreadable. “We should go.”
Rosa looked surprised. “You are not staying for dinner?”
“Sorry. Beth?”
Beth threw Rosa an apologetic glance and stood. “Maybe another time?”
“Sì.” Rosa kissed Beth on both cheeks, her eyes full of unanswered questions. “Ciao, bella. Drive safely.”
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