Joy’s mouth dropped. “No. I didn’t know. That’s so wonderful, Alex.” She reached out and embraced him.

Dina grinned as she watched them.

“I’m so happy for you and for Gianna. Congratulations.” Joy pulled away and turned to Dina. “Isn’t it wonderful?”

“We are so happy,” Dina said.

“I can imagine. Will they be married at the farm?”

Alessandro nodded. “Yes. In the garden.”

Joy’s smile faded, and her eyes welled with tears as she pictured the scene. Their time sitting in the garden remained the highlight of her trip. The idea of missing such a beautiful sight of Gianna in her flowing wedding gown and marrying in that lovely garden made her heart ache. “That is so perfect, Alex. The garden. I can just imagine her walking through the garden in her gown.”

“Yes, she specifically asked to be married there. We are so excited.” He leaned against the counter. “I am so proud of her and Matteo. He is a good man for her.”

“He puts up with her craziness.” Dina chuckled.

Alessandro rattled off a few words in Italian to Dina, and she waved him off, never taking her eyes off the cut flowers in her hands.

Joy giggled at their interaction. “Well, I look forward to hearing about the wedding and the reception and . . . everything.” Joy touched Alessandro’s hand. “I really mean it.”

“And you will. I promise.” Although he smiled, Joy saw regret fill his eyes, and she wondered if he could see regret in her eyes as well.

Regret for what could have been.

But Jaime . . . Joy sighed. She’s all that matters now.

Hours later, after finishing their work, Joy washed her hands in the sink as Dina wiped the countertop.

When the tiny bell atop the door jingled, Joy craned her neck to see who had entered.

Her eyes widened at the sight of her friends from Rome. “Edith!” Joy raced over to her. “And Martin.”

“So good to see you again, Joy.” Martin kissed her cheeks and squeezed her shoulders.

“Hey, friend.” Edith gave her a big hug. “How are you?”

“I’m good. And I love seeing you two again. What are you doing here? How did you know where to find me?”

“Jaime, of course.” Edith held out her hands. “I texted her to see if you were still here in Venice. And she filled me in with all the details.”

“Ah.” Joy nodded.

“Why on earth are you working in a florist shop? You’re supposed to be on vacation.” Edith smirked.

Joy shrugged. “Things just happened.” She took their hands into hers, then spun around. “Dina! Come meet the friends I met when I was in Rome.” She faced Edith again. “I told her all about you two.”

Dina appeared from the backroom and nodded. “Buongiorno.”

“Come stai?” Martin said, then told her in Italian how much he liked her shop.

Edith pulled Joy to the side while Martin and Dina conversed.

“Hey.” She held up her left hand, revealing a large and impressive diamond ring on her finger.

Joy covered her mouth and gasped from shock. “You got married?”

Edith laughed. “Yes. We went to Pompeii and then Positano, where he proposed. I said yes, but then I told him how I wanted to get married right away, so we did.”

Joy hopped up and down as she pulled her friend to herself. “I am thrilled for you both. More than you know. What about Millie? Does she know?”

“Of course. She was the first phone call I made. Guess what? She’s coming to Florence with Walter on a honeymoon they never had. We’re going to meet them there for a week-long vacation later this year.”

“She’s coming back to Italy? I can’t believe she convinced Walter to return so soon.” Joy furrowed her brow. “How did she manage that?”

“Walt’s a different man now. He’s all about traveling. From Italy, they’ll head to Austria, France, and then England.”

“Wow! He really has changed, hasn’t he?”

“Ciao,” Alessandro said before heading out the back door.

Edith’s eyebrows rose. “Who’s that?”

“Alex? Can I introduce you to my friends?” Joy waved him over.

Martin greeted Alessandro with a firm handshake. The two chatted in Italian for a minute.

“This is Alex. He works here too. Well, he delivers flowers to the shop from his flower farm near Caorle Beach.” Joy’s wide smile revealed her feelings. “He took me to the farm a few days ago, and it’s lovely there. You should see it. Acres of various kinds of flowers and a lovely garden by the house. The house is a converted barn. Simply amazing.”

“Oh, really.” The corners of Edith’s mouth rose into a curious grin as she nudged her.

“What?” Joy giggled. “Oh, stop. Don’t read too much into it. I’m not in Venice for romance but adventure.”

“I see.” Edith narrowed her eyes and studied Joy as if studying a bug. “Seems you’re having quite the adventure.”

“Hello,” Alessandro said as he held out his hand to Edith. “Pleased to meet you.”

“Piacere di conoscerti,” Edith replied and squeezed his outstretched hand.

“Molto contento.” Alessandro turned to Martin. “Martin tells me you two were recently married? Felicitazioni!” He kissed her on both cheeks.

“Grazie.” Edith winked at Joy.

Martin and Alessandro continued chatting in Italian, so Edith grabbed Joy’s arm and pulled her aside. “He’s wonderful. So handsome.”

“Isn’t he?” Joy batted her eyes. “When he took me to the family farm, I met his adult children. Such a lovely family. And his daughter is engaged, just like Jaime is! What a coincidence, huh?”

“And his wife?” Edith asked with a raised eyebrow.