“Maybe I will sit outside for a bit.” She elbowed her way through the crowd and found a small bistro table outside. The cooler air did help her catch her breath and relax. Her heart raced from all the food, dancing, and wine.

Tony followed her and brought over a chair from a nearby table.

“The band really is good. I just need to rest a bit,” Joy explained.

“No worries. I know it’s hard breaking in new shoes.” He laughed and leaned his elbows on the table. “I can’t begin to tell you how grateful I am to be with you tonight. You’re beautiful . . . radiant. Alive.”

“Happy.” Joy grinned. “I can’t remember a time when I’ve had so much attention. Thanks, Tony. I appreciate it.”

“And I never realized how much Jaime looks like you.” He removed his phone. “She sent me these photos today.”

On his phone were photos of Jaime and Michael at the wedding venue, inspecting the hall and the garden area.

“Her smile. It’s yours,” Tony said.

“Oh my goodness. Is that the venue?” Joy leaned in close. “It’s perfect.” The sprawling green lawn, white hydrangea bushes, and climbing white roses created a picture-perfect space. “The wedding photos will be spectacular.”

“It is perfect. I paid the deposit to secure the place for the wedding date. I also went ahead and secured the caterers and the photographer. We lucked out. A wedding on the same date cancelled. Whew.” Tony shook his head. “I can’t believe the big day is right around the corner.”

Joy squeezed his arm. “Thank you for doing all this for her, Tony. I know you just paid a fortune for the last wedding, and here we are asking you to pay again for—”

“It’s my pleasure, Joy. Really, it is. Jaime’s a wonderful daughter. My only child. And what Carl did to her was . . .” He sighed. “Well, who am I to judge him, huh? I hurt her, too, when I left you both. I need to remember that.”

Joy’s heart sank when regret filled his eyes.

“Anyway, she looks so happy, and Michael seems like a great young man.” Tony put his phone away. “I want them to have a terrific life together.”

“They will.” Joy’s eyes met his. “And by doing all this for her, you really are making amends.”

“When I told her we were going dancing tonight . . .” He chuckled. “You should’ve heard how happy she sounded. Like a little kid.”

A smile came to Joy’s face. “I’m so glad.” The plan was working. Jaime would have a family again. What a perfect wedding gift for her. Ease flowed through Joy, relaxing her shoulders. She exhaled.

Tony glanced into the restaurant and spied Alessandro talking with a friend. “He likes you, doesn’t he?”

Joy gulped down some water. “Who?” She coughed slightly, pretending not to know what Tony was talking about.

“That Alessandro guy.” Tony nodded toward him.

“Oh, I don’t know about that. I just met him a couple of days ago, and—”

“I can tell.” Tony gave her a side glance. “Trust me, I know.”

Joy lowered her eyes. “Oh, well . . . I’m not in Venice for romance. I’m here for adventure.”

“Challenge accepted,” Tony said with a wry grin that still weakened Joy’s knees three decades after that dance in the gym.

“Challenge?” Joy shyly held her glass in front of her face.

Tony winked. “Absolutely. I’m not one to back down from a challenge, and if he wants one, well, so be it.”

Joy used her napkin to fan herself from the warmth of embarrassment that ran over her. She had never experienced this before. Angelina knew what she was doing, that’s for sure.

Was it the dress? The jewelry? Joy drank more water. Or was it her confidence?

Don’t care, Joy.Remember what Angelina said. Act nonchalant . . . indifferent . . . like you don’t care what they do. Men love that.

Joy giggled and shrugged. “Suit yourself.”

Tony laughed.

Was it working? Joy hoped so.

CHAPTER 9

A loud bang jolted Joy out of a sound sleep. She sat up in bed and looked left, then right.

“What was that?”

She whipped the covers off her legs, then headed to the window and watched as the owner of the shop below unloaded some boxes.

Joy rubbed her throbbing head. “Oh my. I had way too much wine last night.”

As she made her way to the bathroom, the pain in her feet stopped her. After hours of dancing, the backs of her new shoes had dug into the Achilles tendons of both feet.

“Ouch.” She sat on the edge of the bed and massaged the sore tendons. “What was I thinking, dancing around like that? I’m fifty-six, not twenty-six.”

Even when she was twenty-six, such a night would have knocked her to the floor.

She chuckled.

After a hot shower and an espresso macchiato in the hotel lobby, Joy was ready to take on the day.

The Piazza di San Marco was alive again with tourists, locals, and tour groups listening to their guides speak about the various sites and landmarks. Hungry pigeons and seagulls scattered as people shooed them away.

“Hey!” one man shouted as a seagull swooped in and stole his croissant right out of his hand. The young woman with him laughed.

The seagulls were impressive at dive-bombing. The sunlight and crisp air refreshed her skin and lungs as Joy traipsed toward the flower shop to assist Dina. Something inside made her believe that it was more than just a new day, but a new start.

A new life.

“Buongiorno.” Tony appeared carrying a single coral rose. He offered it to her.

“Giorno. Where did you come from?” Joy took the rose and inhaled its scent.

“The flower shop. I thought you’d be there, but only Dina and Vito were there. I think he’s a friend now, but she, well . . .” He curled his lip. “She still gives me that evil eye. I bought this rose for you.” He playfully bowed.

Joy chuckled just picturing Dina’s scowl. “Thank you for the rose, Tony. And for last night. I had a wonderful time. In fact, I need to let Alex know how thankful we are for the invitation.”