By the shocked look on Dina’s face, Joy sensed she recognized Edith.
“You!” Dina jiggled a finger at her. “You wrote that book. O mio Dio.” She raced off to her purse under the counter.
Edith cleared her throat. “Ahem. I’ve written many books, actually.”
She returned, waving a paperback novel in the air. “This one set here in Venice . . .” Dina jabbed her finger at the book. “My Heart Belongs to Venice.” She hopped up and down, clapping her hands. Then Dina clutched her chest and swooned. “It’s my favorite.”
“That’s one of my favorite books too.” Joy hugged Dina’s shoulder. “Can you believe it? The author herself stands before us.”
Dina grabbed Edith’s shoulders and embraced her.
Edith’s eyes grew wide. “Oh. We’re hugging now?”
“Edith and I met while in Rome last month. I was as shocked as you were, Dina, to see her among us. And now? I’m honored to call her friend.”
Martin and Alessandro chuckled.
“I am honored to call her my wife.” Martin stood beside Edith and pecked her cheek.
“I’m so happy for you two.” Joy nudged Dina. “They met and fell in love while in Rome. Isn’t that romantic?”
“Si.” Dina nodded and clasped her hands together. “Molto romantico.”
“Well, I must return to my farm now. Martin, è stato un piacere. Edith.” Alessandro shook their hands, then bowed politely.
“So nice to see you again, Alex.” Joy patted his shoulder and got a shot of electricity. She hopped back, shaking her hand. “Ow!”
Alessandro laughed along with Edith and Martin.
“Are you all right?” Alessandro asked.
Dina gasped. “Oh my. È un segno!”
“A sign?” Edith asked with curled lips.
“Si. A sign from God.” Dina grinned proudly, then crossed herself.
“Or it’s just a little electricity?” Joy shrugged.
“No.” Dina took Joy’s hand. “It’s a sign that you two should—”
“Ciao,” Tony said as he entered the shop, smiling his movie star smile.
Everyone stared at him, yet no one moved.
Tony looked at each one, then slowly closed the door behind him. “Did I interrupt something?”
“Not at all.” Joy rushed over to him and put her arm in his. “We were just chatting with my friends from Rome.”
“Hello.” Tony reached out his hand.
“This is my friend Edith and her husband, Martin. They’re newlyweds.” Joy giggled. “It’s so sweet.”
“Nice to meet you.” Edith shook his hand.
“Pleasure,” Martin said as he reached for Tony’s hand.
“Congratulations.” Tony nodded but looked confused.
“Well, I must be going. Arrivederci.” Alessandro waved as he headed to the back door.
Dina followed him, lecturing him in Italian.
“Arrivederci!” Joy shouted after them.
“So?” Edith jerked her head toward Tony.
“Oh, this is Tony, my ex-husband who is here visiting me in Venice.”
“Ah.” Edith tossed her head back. “Nice to meet you. I heard all about you when Joy and I were in Rome for the contest.”
Tony winced as if he’d been hit in the chest by an arrow. “Oh. Yeah.” He grimaced. “I bet you heard all about . . . me.”
“But now we’re trying to work things out.” Joy squeezed Tony’s arm.
Edith’s eyes widened as if she’d seen a ghost. “Really?”
Tony looked down at Joy, who glanced lovingly into his eyes. “Really,” he said.
