She pushed it aside.

The couple stood and pushed in their chairs. Arm in arm, they walked off, smiling and laughing.

Give it time! Joy wanted to scream. Your hot romantic love will grow cold with time, trust me. She lowered her head and exhaled. When did she become so hopeless? So cynical?

Probably when Tony announced he was leaving her for a younger woman.

Tiffany.

“Ugh.” Joy rolled her eyes at the thought of Tiffany. Tall, thin, tan—Tiffany was the antithesis of Joy.

That day.

That one painful day when Tony left her. And Jaime standing in the living room, still in tears after being left at the altar. Her shattered expression haunted Joy. That day remained forever etched in her mind. Deeply etched.

Her phone vibrated, jarring her out of her memory.

“Hello?” Joy straightened. “Hi, Jaime.” She stood and headed out the door into the bright sunshine. “My goodness. What time is it there in New York?”

“Pretty early. How are you?”

“Good. Just finished my coffee, and now I’m heading to my job.” Joy nodded to a vendor selling birdseed. She paid for a small bag, then headed to the piazza..

“That’s good. Listen, tomorrow I need to book the . . . wait, what did you say?” Jaime’s voice rose.

“My job.” Joy laughed. “Can you believe it? I was helping an elderly couple set up a wedding reception last night, and they offered me a part-time job at their florist shop. You know me, I love flowers and floral arrangements. So I accepted the offer.” Joy sat at a bench and tossed some seed to nearby pigeons. “What do you think about that?”

Silence.

“Jaime? Honey? Are you still there?” Joy crinkled her brow.

“Yes. I am still here.” She sighed into her phone. “Mom, what are you doing? You can’t work in Italy. Don’t you need a permit or a visa or something? Besides, you need to come home soon to help me plan the wedding. I need help with the reception hall, flowers, the bridesmaids’ dresses, and—”

“Of course I’ll be there for all that real soon. I’m only staying here for a month.” Joy tied off the bag of seed, then placed it inside her purse.

“A month? I thought you were only staying in Italy for another two weeks.”

“I was, but this elderly couple needs my help.” Joy headed to the florist shop. “I can help them and then fly home in May to help you.”

More silence.

“It’s a win-win.” Joy giggled.

After a long pause, Jaime exhaled. “Mom.”

“What?” Joy rolled her eyes. She knew that tone.

“You’re doing it again.”

“Doing what?”

“Putting others ahead of yourself and me.”

Joy made her way across the piazza, elbowing her way past tourists, groups of school children on a field trip, and locals rushing to work. When she spotted the florist shop, she smiled. “I don’t know what you mean by that, Jaime.”

“You’re putting the needs of these total strangers ahead of your need to just be a tourist, and you’re completely forgetting the commitments you made to me.”

Joy frowned and shook her head. “That’s not true. Helping others is what I love most, you know that. And I said I’ll be back in time to help you plan. Okay? I’ve arrived at work now, so I will call you later. Have a good day.”

Joy ended the call and greeted Dina with a wide grin. “Buongiorno!” She waved.

“Giorno.” Dina waved back. Her graying hair was pulled back into a bun, and she wore an apron over her blouse and skirt. Venezia Florist was printed on the apron. She pointed to the nearby cart. “Alessandro is here to pick up deliveries.”

“Excellent. How are you today?” Joy asked.

Dina pecked her on the left cheek and then the right. “Very good. You?”

“I slept well.” Joy straightened and saluted like a soldier. “I am ready to work. Just tell me what you need me to do.”

“Buongiorno,” Alessandro said as he approached. “How is Joy this morning?”

“I’m wonderful. Good to see you here.” Her body trembled when he smiled. “I wasn’t sure we’d see each other today. I am glad we can spend some time together.” The phone in her hand vibrated. Joy turned it over. Jaime had texted her.

You’re putting others ahead of me again. Just like you used to do with Dad . . . ☹

Joy frowned, then turned her phone over. Jaime didn’t understand that helping others made Joy happy. And arranging flowers helped heal her wounded heart. How could she convince Jaime that being in Venice was what she needed most right now?

“What is it?” Alessandro asked.

“Nothing.” Joy sighed and placed her phone on silent, then plopped it into her purse. “Dina? What do you need me to do first today? I’m all yours. Help unload the cart? Arrange flowers? Anything.”

Dina clapped her hands, then waved her over to the shop.

“Here I go.” Joy shrugged, then winked at Alessandro. “My first day on the job.”

His bright smile warmed her heart and weakened her knees. No, Joy. Don’t do that. Focus on today.

Dina handed Joy her apron with the shop’s logo printed on it and watched as Joy tied it around her waist.

“Molto bene. Now come here.” Dina led Joy to the front counter. “You help customers.”

“What?” Joy’s eyes widened in panic. She shook her head. “No. I don’t speak Italian. I can’t help them. I’ll mess everything up.”

Dina closed her eyes and gently turned Joy’s shoulders around to face the front door. “No. I show you.”

“But—”