جميع فصول : الفصل -الفصل 10

"After the wedding, we'll take another set of photos at Lake Serravina. Just the two of us. How does that sound?"I nodded.Beside us, Sofia's eyes slowly filled with tears."Maybe we should change the picture," she said. "Irene hasn't said a word. I don't want her getting the wrong idea."Luca kept one hand wrapped around mine. With the other, he handed Sofia a tissue."She hasn't gotten anything wrong," he said with easy certainty, almost smiling. "Irene knows how important you are to us."The photographer stopped asking questions. Silently, he dragged the group portrait into the folder marked for printing.Seven years ago, Sofia had taken me to a charity gala where I met Luca Moretti.Her father, Sal Sorrentino, had been underboss to Luca's father, Don Vittorio Moretti, and his most trusted man. Sal had died in a clash between families, and Luca had promised to look after his daughter.At first, I'd wanted to look after her, too.When nightmares kept her awake, I went with

When I came downstairs, Luca was standing outside the hotel with a coffee made exactly the way I liked it.He studied my face before handing it to me, then opened the car door."When we're done today, let's go to your favorite restaurant. Just us."I'd agreed to come because I needed to retrieve my mother's earrings from the bridal suite and tell my wedding planner, Vivian Hale, in person that the ceremony was canceled.Luca seemed to think that getting into his car meant we'd made up.Black family sedans were parked outside the venue. Men wearing earpieces guarded the entrance.Inside the banquet hall, Sofia stood at the altar wearing an ivory gown. Its train was so long two staff members had to arrange it for her.When she spotted Luca, she lifted the skirt and smiled."What do you think? Too much?"He stopped to look at her."It suits you."Vivian stood nearby, looking distinctly uncomfortable.The bridesmaid dress we'd agreed on was dusty blue.Luca turned to me and lo

Every missed call was from Luca.Claire took my suitcase and opened the car door for me."Let's get you settled in first. We can deal with everything else tomorrow."I'd barely climbed inside when the phone rang again.This time, I answered."Irene."Luca was breathing hard."Marco said you're in Bayhaven. Give me your address. I'm coming right now.""I've already arrived. Someone picked me up.""You can't carry luggage with that hand.""Claire's helping me."There was a brief silence."Good. I'll have a hotel booked for you. Rest tonight, and tomorrow I'll bring you home.""Luca, I'm not going back."He paused, then softened his voice."We can postpone the wedding. If you don't like any of the arrangements, we'll change everything.""Not postponed. Canceled."Outside the window, unfamiliar Bayhaven streets rolled by."I accepted a job here. I've rented an apartment. I start Monday. I'm not on vacation.""When did you decide this?""The day of the photo shoot."He

"Luca hasn't answered my calls in days. Are you happy now?"Sofia's message came with a photograph of my old studio.The easel was back by the window, and the paints had been arranged in their original order. The orange tree had been moved to a new pot. Beside it stood a chair I'd once casually mentioned wanting."He had someone put everything back, one piece at a time. What more do you want from him?"I saved a screenshot and blocked her.That evening, Luca was waiting outside the arts center again.He noticed my bandage was gone and immediately approached."What did the doctor say?""It's healing well enough."His eyes went to my palm. The red marks hadn't faded yet, and the tiny dots left by the stitches were unmistakable.He started to reach for me, then stopped."Does it still hurt?""When I hold a pencil too long."He swallowed.I showed him the screenshot."Deal with whatever is going on between you two. Don't let it interfere with my life again."As he read, the

I was teaching the afternoon intro class.As it drew to a close, I glanced through the glass door and saw Luca standing in the hallway.Half an hour later, the class ended.He was still there.He carried one small paper bag. No flowers. No jewelry box."Happy birthday."He offered me the bag."Drawing paper. The kind you used to buy."I accepted it."Thank you."Claire poked her head out of the classroom."Irene, come here. Everyone's waiting for you."A small cake sat on the long worktable.My coworkers had pushed aside the paint and water cups to make room, and someone placed a paper birthday hat on my head.When the candles were lit, I couldn't help laughing."When did you arrange all this?""While you were checking the class schedule."Just before making my wish, I instinctively looked toward the doorway.Luca was standing there, watching me.Seven years ago, he'd sung happy birthday to me in much the same way.There hadn't been so many people then. He'd balance