An hour later, after the boat trip, Joy stood before the flower shop. She grabbed her purse and paused at the counter. She took one last look around, drinking in the environment and her experience. The beautiful display of flowers on the shelves, the lovely floral perfumes that greeted her each day, and the glass vases in vivid colors would forever remain in her mind and heart. She reflected on the first day in the shop, helping a bride-to-be with selecting her flowers.

And now it was her last day in the shop.

“Mi scusi?” A woman entered, startling Joy out of her trance.

“Ciao,” Dina said as she came from the back.

Joy nodded, then scooted past the customer. Listening to the woman ask Dina about floral arrangements for a moment, Joy wished she could stay and assist, but instead she made her way to the door as the woman and Dina conversed in Italian, trying not to disturb them.

Joy stood at the door, watching the scene for a moment as she placed her purse strap over her shoulder. Dina opened a catalogue so the customer could select flower arrangements. When she looked up, she smiled at Joy.

“Arrivederci,” Joy mouthed and waved.

Dina waved back. “Grazie, Joy.”

Joy stepped out of the shop, her heart filled with the memories she would treasure forever. As she strolled across the lively piazza toward her hotel, a playful flurry of pigeons danced around her, their soft coos mingling with the distant cries of seagulls. The sound of the seabirds brought a smile to her lips, a reminder of the turquoise sea just beyond the piazza.

“Joy!” Dina shouted from behind. “Wait.”

Her friend rushed toward her with a small bouquet of flowers, a springtime floral arrangement of yellow and white daisies.

“Grazie di tutto, Joy.” Dina handed the flowers to her with a wide grin and shiny eyes.

Joy sighed. “You didn’t have to do this.” She hugged Dina, doing her best not to cry. “Grazie di tutto, Dina. You made Venice so much fun for me. I’ll never forget you for as long as I live.”

When they parted, Dina kissed Joy’s cheeks and patted

her shoulders. “Be well, huh?”

Joy nodded.

Then Dina turned and headed back to the shop. Every couple of steps, she used her apron to dab her eyes.

Breathing in the fragrance of the flowers cradled in her arms, Joy realized that her moments with Dina and Vito would forever be etched in her memory. Standing amidst the bustling crowd of tourists and locals in Piazza di San Marco, she couldn’t help but shed tears—tears of gratitude mixed with sorrow.

But mostly tears of love.

CHAPTER 13

The black dress Angelina bought her looked perfect for the occasion, Joy thought. After all, Tony had admired it, and the dress gave her the confidence she needed. She clipped on the gold earrings and draped the matching gold necklace around her neck, running her fingers over the thick braided chain.

Unsure of what she’d say to Tony, Joy thought she’d rehearse her speech before he met her in the hotel lobby. She stepped back and inspected herself in front of the mirror. Clearing her throat, she straightened and gestured.

“And so, Tony, I need you to know what I want. I need you to know what my hopes and dreams are. I have goals of my own that I gave up long ago for you. I can’t give them up anymore. I didn’t come to Venice to find romance, but ad—”

Her phone vibrated, startling her. Tony had texted her.

I’m here. Waiting downstairs.

Okay,Joy. She exhaled and smoothed out her dress. Here we go. It’s your turn. Be strong. Don’t back down.

When she got off the elevator, Joy found Tony pacing in the lobby. Dressed in a dark sports coat over a white button-down shirt with no tie and a comfortable pair of tan slacks, she thought him as dashing as ever. He ran his fingers over his gray-blonde hair as if nervous.

“What are you so nervous about?” she asked as she approached.

He stopped pacing and stared at her. “Hey, you. Wow, you look stunning.” He placed his hand over his heart. “I’m glad you wore that dress again, Joy.”

“This old thing?” She spun around and laughed.

“Buona notte,” the hotel concierge said as she approached. “Sei bellissima.”

“Grazie.” Joy pretended to curtsy. “It’s our final night in Venice. We both head out tomorrow.”

She tilted her head. “Ah, so special. Enjoy your night together.”

Tony held out his arm. “We will.”

As they walked through the alleyways and quaint streets, Tony fidgeted.

“Why are you so fidgety tonight?” Joy giggled.

“Nervous, I guess.”

“About what?”

“It’s our last night together. Soon we’ll be together again in New York before family and friends and . . .” He shrugged. “I guess I’m wondering what people will think.”

“Who cares what they think? Jaime deserves to have a family again. Having us together at her wedding and reception will be the best gift we could ever give her.”

Tony held Joy’s hand as they walked. “You’re right. Who cares what people think. We’re a family again, and that’s all that matters.”

At the restaurant inside the St. Regis hotel, Joy stared at Tony as he talked about his plans to head to Rome and conduct business before flying back to New York. As he talked, she couldn’t help but notice how handsome he was. His strong jaw and chiseled features along with his light eyes and tan complexion made her heart race. She couldn’t believe he wanted to be with her again.

“So I’ll be back in New York the week before the wedding. We’ll all get some dinner and talk things over.” He sipped some wine and called the waitress over to take their order.

“We’ll start with the carpaccio, Italian garden salads, bruschetta, and more wine, of course.”

“Very good, signore,” the waitress, a young, attractive woman, said with a sexy smile, turning on her heel.

Joy furrowed her brow as she watched the woman walk off but decided to ignore it. Instead she thought it might be best to have the talk with Tony before ordering their main entree.

“Sounds delicious.” Joy smiled.

“I think so too. I read a review of this restaurant and reviewers suggested what I ordered, so I think we’re safe.” He chuckled.

Their table faced a wall of windows that overlooked the patio, illumined by lights draped across the patio. Patrons trickled into the space. In the distance, speedboats and gondolas passed along the busy Grand Canal.