“Come stai? How was your day?” the concierge asked.

“Bene.” Joy turned to Tony. “What should we do tomorrow?”

He thought about it. “It’s our last day together before I head out.” He took her hand. “I’m glad you talked me into staying a few days more. I really enjoyed our adventures. How about tomorrow we just walk through the city and see what happens? And then we’ll have a nice dinner.”

Joy smiled at the suggestion. “That sounds like a good idea.”

As he walked her to her elevator, Tony glanced around for anyone passing by, then he took hold of Joy’s waist and pulled her in for a passionate kiss.

Shocked by the kiss at first, Joy didn’t know what to do, but then she relaxed into the kiss and wrapped her arms around Tony’s neck. A familiar feeling came over her.

When they parted, she tried to catch her breath and leaned back.

Tony smiled proudly. “Are you all right?”

“Yes,” she said in a small voice and licked her lips. “Just surprised, that’s all.” She patted her hair and adjusted her blouse.

Tony ran a finger gently along her chin. “I’ve been wanting to do that all night.”

“Really?” Her face became warm.

“Really.” Tony backed away. “You’re blushing.”

“Am I?” She reached up and felt her hot skin. “I suppose I am.”

“Well. Good night, Joy. Sweet dreams.”

“Good night.” Joy giggled at herself.

She waited until he was out of sight, then leaned against the wall, gasping. Whoa. She exhaled. Where did that come from? I felt that all the way down to my toes. Laughing, she turned and pushed the elevator button.

In her room, she sat on the bed, blinking, still shocked by the kiss. He’s still got it, that’s for sure.

She fanned herself for a moment until the hot flash dissipated. Reaching for her phone, she opened it and noticed a text from Jaime. She smiled remembering how happy Jaime was to see them on FaceTime together. Her mom and dad, laughing together again.

Joy texted her back.

Dad and I enjoyed chatting with you. We both love how happy you look.

Mom, are you okay?

Yes! I’m having a wonderful time. Why?

You looked a little distant.

Just a bit tired. It’s been a long day . . .

OK. I’m concerned that maybe you’re with Dad only because of me . . .

Nonsense, honey! Dad and I are working things out.

Joy removed her shoes as she waited for Jaime to reply. Thinking of Tony’s kiss filled her belly with butterflies. She welcomed those butterflies and goosebumps on her arms.

I hope so. I know how you can be at times. Always putting others ahead of yourself.

Joy furrowed her brow remembering how Jaime had mentioned that quality before.

What do you mean, honey?

Oh, nothing. Love you, Mom. Have a good night!

But Joy did know what Jaime meant. She sighed as she stared at the words on her phone. Putting the needs of others before her own was all she knew. Wasn’t that what a wife and mother was supposed to do?

“I married Weston for security and not for love, Joy,” her mother had told her decades before. “Sometimes we women need to do things for practicality and not romantic delusions. You’ll learn this one day.”

Maybe that’s why Tony left Joy for Tiffany.

I had become dull and boring . . . predictable.

A doormat.

It’s hard to respect a doormat, let alone love one. The butterflies in her belly changed into wasps. She winced from the ache.

It was true. Their entire marriage, Joy had put his needs before hers. His dreams before hers. Jaime’s dreams before her own.

That was why she entered Jaime’s photograph into that contest. Wasn’t that what a mother was supposed to do? Make her children’s dreams come true, and through them, find happiness? Live out her own dreams through them? That’s what Joy understood marriage and motherhood to be.

Sacrificial.

In fact, Joy could barely remember what her own dreams had been before she married Tony. Who was she, and what did she want from life?

She had forgotten that deepest part of herself until she met Dina and Vito. When she helped them set up the flowers for that wedding reception, a spark lit inside her . Through them, Joy remembered what she wanted in life.

Flowers.

Closing her eyes, Joy reflected on working part time in a florist shop as a teenager. The scent of the flowers filled her lungs again, taking her back to that happy time. Before then, life at home had been desperate. Weston, her stepfather, was kind, but a stoic and cold businessman. He was distant and unfeeling when it came to the teenage stepdaughter he’d inherited when he married Joy’s mother. It was obvious he had no idea how to interact with her. Joy grew up alone and unloved, painting pictures inside her bedroom. Desperately craving the love and acceptance of her stepfather, Joy knew that desperation made her vulnerable and susceptible to a handsome, popular boy’s advances and words of adoration, even if they weren’t genuine.

Enter Tony.

How could she not fall hard for him? His movie star looks and build, his brilliance and success in the business world . . . all of it gave Joy the exit strategy from her sad home life that she wanted.

But was that a reason to marry? She thought so, once. But didn’t know any longer.

What Joy did know was that she’d have to tell Tony who she was now and what she wanted from life, hoping he’d understand.

Buona notte, sweetheart!

Setting down her phone, Joy hoped Jaime was reassured. How could she be, when Joy wasn’t reassured herself?