When he pulled out a ring box, Joy’s back straightened. She gulped.
“I thought you’d like this.” He set the box onto the table, then slid it over to her.
Joy pried open the blue ring box. Her eyes widened at the sight of a lovely amethyst stone surrounded by tiny diamonds set in white gold. “Tony. This is so beautiful.” She turned it in the sun and watched it sparkle. “But I can’t accept this.”
“Again, it’s a gift for my friend Joy. I had so much fun here in Venice. I want to thank you, and that’s what this gift is about. Remembering our time in Venice. All right?” He smiled.
“Are you sure?” Joy giggled and placed the ring on her finger. “All right. I accept it.”
When he reached out and squeezed her hand, Joy’s flesh tingled from his touch. She squeezed his hand back.
“I have enjoyed our time too.” She smiled a genuine smile. “And this ring is . . . so thoughtful.”
“You should see the diamond tennis bracelet I bought for Jaime as a wedding gift.” He put his fingers to his lips, then made the chef’s kiss gesture. “Bellissima.”
“How wonderful, Tony. She’ll cherish it always.” Joy sensed a change in the man she’d known for almost forty years. His face had softened, and life had returned to his eyes. And his generosity had grown as well.
They sat eating their croissants and taking in the view for a little longer until Tony scooted his chair back, startling some pigeons away.
Joy watched them fly into the powder blue sky. A few thick clouds rolled in.
“Well, I guess I should head back and check out of my hotel.”
He stood with a loud exhale, then set down some Euros to pay for breakfast.
Joy followed him, wondering what she should say and shocked at how much her heart ached that he was leaving, yet she understood why he was leaving.
Should she leave too? Was it time?
The confusion mixed with sadness made her stomach ache. She rubbed her arms again.
“Tony?”
He paused, then turned around. “Yeah?”
“Why don’t you stay a while longer?” Joy curled her lip. “There are other flights back home.”
“Are you sure?” He tilted his head.
“There are museums I’d like to see, oh, and the glass factory, and Burano and—”
“Are you sure you want to experience all of that with me?” He smiled.
She suspected he was alluding to Alessandro. “Yes. You can come with me. It will be fun.” She glanced at her ring. “What do you say?”
He held out his hands. “I say sure. Let’s do it. I’ll go make arrangements at my hotel to stay longer, and then I’ll meet you at the . . .” He looked left, then right. “Where should I meet you?”
“At the flower shop. I’ll let Dina know.”
He laughed, then flashed her a thumbs-up. “Great. I’ll be there in a few.”
Joy watched him stroll off with a skip in his step, and the ache in her belly disappeared. For the first time in a long time, she looked forward to being with him later. Tony. The man who had broken—no, ripped—her heart in two. The irony made her laugh to herself.
But that was forgiveness, wasn’t it? To be able to be with someone who caused hurt and say, “You owe me nothing.”
Making her way across the Piazza di San Marco, Joy grinned, thinking about her plans with Tony. She removed her phone to purchase tickets to the Leonardo Da Vinci Museum but paused when Alessandro appeared in the distance.
“Alex,” she cried out to him.
He pulled his loaded cart across the piazza and paused when he heard his name.
“Hello.” She waved.
He stared at her for a moment, nodded, then continued toward the flower shop.
When she caught up to him, she held open the door for him. “Come stai?” she asked.
“Bene.” He pushed his cart inside, then spoke in Italian to Vito, who stood behind the counter.
Both men ignored Joy.
“Excuse me.” She scooted by him and found Dina in the back room sitting at her desk and flipping through receipts.
Vito and Alessandro continued conversing in Italian.
“Look.” Joy showed her ring to Dina.
She placed her glasses on and pulled the ring toward her. “Hmm . . .” Dina said. “What does this mean? You are married?”
