“Ciao. Come stai?” Joy rushed over to him.
“You look lovely this morning, Joy.”
“Thank . . . uh, grazie.” She giggled. “I’ve been in Venice for a month. You’d think I’d have learned the proper phrases by now.”
“Are you on your way to the shop? I’ll walk with you.” He gently led her by the small of her back.
His touch calmed Joy as it always did.
“I was going to check in with Dina and Vito. I’ll be heading back to New York soon.”
“When? Maybe we could see each other today? Si?” He held open the door to the shop.
“Well, uh . . .”
“Joy!” Dina rushed over to her. “Affretarsi! Hurry. We’ve been asked to set up for a reception. Not a wedding, but a party. Andiamo.” She clapped her hands.
Joy winced and grabbed her purse strap. “Oh, Dina, I can’t. I came to tell you that today is my last day in Venice.”
Dina shook her finger in Joy’s face. “That is tomorrow. Today, you help. Andiamo.”
Joy glanced over at Alessandro, who scooted past Dina to help load the carts with Vito.
She shrugged and put her purse behind the counter as she always did when she worked in the shop. “All right then. Andiamo!”
“Joy.” Alessandro approached. “The reception is—”
But Dina’s scowl interrupted them. “Now!” She jabbed her finger at the carts.
A few minutes later, Joy and Alessandro helped wheel the loaded carts across the piazza and to the waiting boat at the docks. The boxes held vases, flowers wrapped in paper, English ivy, and candles.
Alessandro’s brother Charlie waved them over to the boat. “What took you so long? We’re late.”
“Stiamo arrivando veniamo.” Alessandro turned to Joy. “I told him we’re coming already.”
“Where is this party reception, anyway?” Joy asked.
He scratched his neck. “Well . . .” With folded hands, he bowed apologetically. “I wanted to surprise you, but the reception Dina spoke of is for my daughter, Gianna, and Matteo. A celebration.”
Joy’s eyebrows rose. “Really? How wonderful. That sounds amazing, but I—”
“You come to the farm with us? Matteo, her fiancé, is back from traveling, so we put together an engagement party at the house at the last minute.” He handed a box of flowers to Charlie.
Joy paused.
“What’s the matter, Joy?” He tilted his head.
Wringing her hands, Joy’s skin warmed. “I, uh . . .” Her mind stopped working around Alessandro whenever he looked at her that way.
He stepped toward her and held her shoulders. “You look pale. Are you all right?”
As she glanced into his large brown eyes, Joy realized she’d rather be with Alessandro at his home in Caorle than with Tony in Venice. But it wasn’t possible.
What she wanted would have to be set aside . . . again.
“Hurry,” Dina urged as she passed by carrying a box of vases.
“I can’t go to your farmhouse today. I’m so sorry. I just can’t.” She cringed.
With those words, Alessandro lowered his hands and backed away. “I see. You have plans for today with Tony.”
Joy nodded.
“You cannot come with us?” Dina shook head.
“No. I’m sorry. I made plans for the day and . . .” But Dina’s downturned mouth hurt Joy’s heart. After all Dina had done for her while in Venice, Joy just couldn’t refuse. “Unless . . .”
Dina straightened.
“If I can be back by three, then I can go. Is that possible?”
Dina smiled and hugged Joy. “Si. Charlie can bring you back by the boat.”
Alessandro clapped his hands. “Andiamo.” He helped Joy into the boat, and before she could change her mind, the boat backed away from the dock. A beaming Joy sat in the boat, speeding along the lagoon toward Caorle Beach once again with Alessandro and her friends Dina and Vito.
The live music at the farmhouse echoed around them as Joy and the others sang along to campy Dean Martin songs and traditional Italian songs that Joy could only pretend to sing.
