“Well . . .” Joy hesitated, fumbling with her room key card. “Thank you for a delightful day today, Alex. I can’t begin to tell you how much fun it was to meet your family and friends and see your lovely home, the farm, the food . . .” She gestured. “I could go on all night.”
He placed a hand over his heart. “It was my pleasure, Joy. And I thank you for caring.” Then he reached for her hand and gently kissed it. “The way you were concerned for Dina and Vito, my dear friends, warms my heart.”
“I was happy to help them at such a difficult time.” Joy smiled.
“And your kindness toward my children . . .” He shook his head. “Mille grazie di tutto.”
Joy slowly released his hand, staring deeply into his eyes.
“Buona sera.” Alessandro turned and walked away.
She watched him for a moment, reflecting on their time in the garden together. “Wait.”
He turned around. “Yes?”
Joy reached out and hugged him, feeling his hands rest on her back.
When they parted, she stared at his lips, so close to hers. “Molte grazie.”
He hesitated for a moment.
In his arms, comfort and safety warmed her flesh. Her heart beat hard against her ribs. I could stay here forever.
“Joy, I…”
“Yes?”
He released her then backed away. “Prego.”
“Good night.”
“Sera.” He turned to leave.
Joy wrung her hands as she watched him turn down an alley and disappear from sight. A sense of sadness and contentment filled her at the same time. Sad that the day was over, yet completely content from being with Alessandro.
She spun around and entered the hotel lobby, wishing the day didn’t have to end.
“Signora,” the manager said as he approached, carrying a vase of coral roses.
“Yes?” Joy studied the roses in the glass vase.
“These came for you while you were out.” He smiled and handed the vase to her.
“For me?”
“Si. Per te.” He nodded and smiled. “Buona sera, Signora.”
“Grazie.” Joy inhaled the scent of the roses in her arms. “Uh . . . buona sera to you as well.” With curiosity in her heart, Joy hoped Alessandro was the one who’d ordered the flowers for her. She wished he remained outside so she could thank him for the flowers, but he was gone.
Making her way to the elevator, Joy couldn’t believe how thoughtful Alessandro was to send her flowers even from Caorle. When did he have time to order flowers? Maybe he made the arrangement himself earlier in the day? But how did he know coral roses are my favorite? Did I tell him that these are my favorite—
“Joy?” came a man’s voice from the hotel lobby.
The familiar voice tightened her muscles, making her shudder.
“Joy?” the man repeated.
She stepped away from the elevator and exhaled, slowly turning to face the man. It can’t be.
Sure enough, her ex-husband, Tony, stood in the hotel lobby, carrying more coral roses in his arms.
CHAPTER 6
Tony.
His tall, well-dressed tan frame and grayish blonde hair stood just a few feet away from Joy.
How was that possible?
“You?” she asked with a furrowed brow.
He nodded.
“Tony.” Joy swallowed the knot in her throat. “How? What . . . what in the world?”
“Hello, Joy.” He thrust out the bouquet of coral roses in his hands. “These are for you too.”
But she couldn’t move. All she could do was blink.
