people with her heart?
Her fingers ran over Apricot’s downy-soft fur. There was something so comforting and reassuring about a fur baby’s presence. It calmed her and let her realize that she was wasting her time standing around thinking about Stefano. He was going to be Lizzie’s in-law, and that was all. She’d probably never see him again. Well, that might be stretching it a bit, but their run-ins would be few and far between.
Speaking of which, she was supposed to ride with him to Rome for the final dress fitting. Her stomach knotted up thinking of sitting next to him—alone with him—for the entire ride. That wasn’t going to happen. She’d get to Rome some other way.
A glance at the time told her that she had to get a move on. A red-and-white-striped sundress flirted just above her knees. The new white-heeled sandals perfectly complemented the dress. She had to admit that it was a big stretch from her usual black-and-purple ensembles, but she was finding that she was having fun with colors. Maybe she’d hemmed her fashion choices in too tightly. She was actually quite comfortable in the dress. Of course, she’d applied makeup to cover up her scars, but she hadn’t gone so heavy with the eye makeup. Maybe when she went back to New York, she would maintain this makeover. Or at least switch up her wardrobe now and then.
She reached up and removed Apricot from her shoulder. “You have to be good, okay?”
Those big blue eyes stared at her, looking as innocent as could be. But Jules knew what trouble this fur baby could get herself into from climbing up on furniture and being unsure how to get down to sticking her paw in a glass of water and tipping it over.
“We’ll just see if Massimo is up to keeping an eye on you. He’ll make sure you don’t get into too much trouble while I’m gone. And you can entertain him. I don’t know why, but he certainly seems to like you, little miss.”
Apricot mewed as if she knew what Jules had said to her.
With a smile, Jules headed downstairs in search of Massimo. Since his stroke, his room was on the first floor, and he spent a lot of time in the living room with the large glass wall that made the room bright and cheery. And that’s exactly where she found him. He was sitting on the couch doing a crossword puzzle. He glanced up and sent her a lopsided smile.
“I see you brought the fuzzy one to visit.”
“Yes, Apricot is feeling particularly energetic. I was wondering if you could keep an eye on her while I go to Rome. Today is our last dress fitting.”
“Ah, my grandson will be driving you.”
“I think I’ll take the train. He has work to do.”
“DeFiore men don’t put work ahead of their obligations to beautiful women.” Massimo reached out and squeezed her hand. “I know something is troubling you. Just remember that anything worth having is worth fighting for. Life isn’t easy, and the good stuff doesn’t just land in your lap. You have to work for it and never give up.”
“Are you ready to go?”
She turned to find Stefano standing in the hallway. His face was a mask of indifference. It was the first time they’d spoken to each other since their moment on the grassy hillside.
“If you’d just drop me at the train station, I’ll be fine.”
“Don’t be ridiculous. I said that I would take you, and I’m ready to go. Besides, there isn’t another train until much later.”
She sighed. The last thing she wanted to do was end up in a fight with him. “I was just asking your grandfather if he’d keep an eye on Apricot.”
“I’d love to.” Massimo reached out for the fluff ball, and she gently placed the squirming kitten in his hands.
“I should run and get her food bowl.”
“No need. I’m sure Maria won’t mind getting some food.”
Jules glanced around, spotting the litter box in the corner of the room. “And water. I forgot the water.”
“Don’t worry. We’ll be fine together.”
“Are you sure?”
Massimo sent her a reassuring smile. “Go before you’re late for your appointment. Did you say this was the last fitting?”
She nodded. “We’re taking our dresses home today. Well, I guess I’m bringing both dresses here as Lizzie doesn’t want to take any chance on Dante spotting it.”
“All the more reason for me to drive you,” Stefano piped in. “The dresses would get wrinkled on the train or worse.”
He did have a good point. “Then we best get going.”
This was going to be the longest ride of her life. There was tangible tension between them, and she didn’t know how to get around it. She didn’t even know if she wanted to resolve it. After all, she hadn’t started any of this. It was Stefano. One minute he wanted her, and the next he was shoving her away and spouting out every reason why they shouldn’t be together.
If he thought she was the only one who didn’t know what she wanted, then he should take a good look in the mirror. His mouth said one thing. But his body said another.
WHAT WAS TAKING SO LONG?
Stefano sat alone in the front of the bridal boutique. The oval table in front of him was littered with every bridal magazine published. No matter how bored he was, there was no way he was picking up one of those periodicals. He’d had his fill of flowers, dresses and cakes.
He glanced at his wristwatch for the second time in five minutes. Jules and Lizzie were supposed to try on their dresses and then they’d be on their way. Not that he was anxious to repeat the car ride with Jules. The whole ride to Rome had been nothing but tense silence. What should he say to her? That he was sorry? That when he was around her he couldn’t think straight? That he cared so much about her that he was trying to protect her from himself?
It was all true. But he couldn’t take back his words. She’d never believe him. And if she did, where would that leave them?
His temples started to throb. Oh, it didn’t matter what he felt for her. Just speaking the words that she meant something to him would only spur her on to stay here, and then what? One day she’d wake and realize that she’d sacrificed everything for him, and then she’d leave. She’d go off to follow her dreams.
It was best to let her go now before they got in too deep. He knew that she cared for him, but it wasn’t as if they’d made promises to each other. The exit door was still wide-open for both of them. By giving her a healthy shove through it, he was doing her a big favor. She may not realize it now, but in time she would understand.
She’d return to her life in New York—to grad school—and she’d soon forget about him. His gut churned. With her beauty, she could have her choice of men.
At last, the women stepped into the waiting area. Each was carrying a white zippered garment bag. They were chatting back and forth. Neither even seemed
