“Well, it’s true, and I really enjoy it, so you need to let me help them set up at the hotel. Goodbye.” She turned to leave.

“Which hotel? I’ll meet you there and wait until you’re finished. Please? I came all this way.” He tilted his head.

“All this way? You were in Milan with Tiffany.”

He shrugged. “Still. I took a train and then a boat and then a gondola ride to—”

She rolled her eyes. “Fine.” Turning around, she waved to Dina and Vito.

“Andiamo.” Vito gestured to the cart. “We go now?”

“Yes . . . uh, si.” Joy smiled and nodded. “This is Tony.” She waved him over.

With head lowered, Tony stepped toward them. His six-foot-three frame towered over them. “Buongiorno.”

“Buongiorno,” Dina replied with a nervous smile.

“Uh, he’s visiting from America. He’s uh . . .” Joy thought of what to say. She knew Dina and Vito liked the idea of her with Alessandro. How would they handle knowing this tall American man was her ex-husband?

With a loud exhale, Joy continued. “This is my ex-husband.”

Dina’s mouth dropped open. “Tuo marito?” She turned to Vito, who continued loading boxes of flowers onto the boat. “Vito. Avete sentito?”

He nodded and studied Tony. He rattled off a paragraph in Italian.

Dina chuckled and faced them. “He thought you were a movie actor from America,” she said to Tony.

“He’s here for the day.” Joy nodded to him. “Right?”

“Right.” Tony smiled widely.

“Come, let’s finish placing these in the boat, and then we’ll be off.” Joy pointed.

Tony helped unload the boxes from the cart and handed them to Vito. “These flowers smell good.” He grinned. “Fresh.”

“Yes, they do.” Joy boarded the boat. “We’ll be at the St. Regis. The terrace courtyard. Okay?”

“See you there!” he shouted over the boat’s motor as it sped away.

Joy wanted to look away, but she couldn’t. As usual, Tony’s presence stirred something inside her. He had a way about him. A confidence that still attracted her.

But also attracted other women.

The boat pulled up to the dock outside the hotel’s restaurant. Vito disembarked and motioned for Dina to hand him the cart. He unfolded it, then loaded a few boxes onto it.

Joy unloaded the other cart and stepped out to unfold it.

Soon they pushed three carts loaded with boxes of flowers and decorations to the terrace, where the wedding coordinator explained to Dina how they wanted the flowers set out.

Dozens of small square tables with wicker chairs decorated the terrace. Smaller stone pine trees provided shade, and strategically-placed lanterns would provide light later when the sun set.

“This is lovely. I can see why they wanted their reception here.” Joy glanced up as she turned in a circle, taking in the surroundings. Purple wisteria climbed up the wrought iron lampposts, and ceramic pots overflowing with bright red geraniums lined the walkway to the restaurant. Waiters and waitresses were inside, prepping the space for lunch customers. Joy waved at them. They smiled and waved back.

“How can I help?” Tony said as he approached.

Joy smirked. “I think we’re fine here. Why don’t you wait over there and—”

“Here.” Dina handed him two small vases of flowers. “Place these on the tables.”

Tony’s mouth opened to speak, but no words came out.

“Over there. See?” Dina pointed.

“Oh, okay. I can do that.” Tony spun around and walked toward the tables.

When he returned, Dina handed him more vases. He removed his jacket, draped it over a chair, and rolled up his sleeves. He took the vases from Dina.

Joy smiled as she watched Tony take orders from Dina, this tiny Italian woman. She pointed for him to take boxes to a long table that would be used for guests to sign in.

“Set out these flowers,” she ordered, and he obeyed.

Next she jabbed her finger at him to follow Vito to where he stacked boxes.

“Why is he here?” Dina asked Joy without taking her eyes off Tony.

“His new wife left him.” Joy placed her hands on her hips. “He’s here to, well, to talk to me about it.”

Dina’s eyes narrowed to slits. “This new wife, did he leave you for her?”

Joy lowered her head.

“Che è terribile.” Dina shook her head.

“Can I help with anything else?” Tony wiped his hands.

Dina pointed to flower arrangements with candles protruding from the middle of the flowers. “Take those and place them on the long table too.”

Tony and Joy did as they were told.

A few minutes later, they stepped back to inspect their work. The reception area looked lovely. The restaurant staff emerged to begin prepping for the buffet on the terrace.

“I guess we’re finished? Unless you need help with something else?” Tony asked.

Dina stood between him and Joy. “No. You can leave now. We are done here.” She crossed her arms.

Tony glanced over her head to Joy. “Uh, all right.” He shrugged his shoulders. “I’ll head out.” He lowered his head, grabbed his coat, then turned away.

Watching him lumber off looking so defeated tugged at Joy’s heart.