I missed your call…”
“That’s fine, I would have kept trying anyway. Listen, sweetheart, I have a free day tomorrow and I thought I would fly down to see you in Lucca.”
No.
My heart drops even further.
“Uh…” I stammer. “Why?”
She laughs. “Why? Because I want to check up on you and see how you’re doing. I feel so bad about you having to be there with my ex-husband and Vanni, I know Claudio can be such a pain in the neck sometimes.”
No, not really.
“Plus, it would be good to hear about the book, face-to-face. And let’s be honest here, I think a little accountability isn’t a bad thing. Plus, I could use some sunshine, it’s just been rubbish weather in London. We’ve had no summer at all. Meanwhile one of my clients is down south, soaking it all up.”
I’m just blinking, trying to figure out what to say.
“Grace? Are you there?”
“Yes, yes, hi,” I tell her quickly, feeling flustered. My face is going hot. “Well, that’s great and all but we’re not in Lucca right now.”
“Where are you?”
“In Florence.”
“Oh,” she says. “Firenze. A day trip?”
“No. We’re spending a few days here.”
“You and Vanni and Claudio?”
“Yes.” Then I hastily add, “And Lorenzo Ducati. You know, that calcium story player.”
“Calcio Storico?” she corrects me. “And yes, I know him. He’s a big muscley piece of man meat if I’ve ever seen one.” Suddenly she gasps. “Oh, Grace. Are you together with him?”
“Claudio?” I squeak.
Another sharp laugh. “Good heavens, no. I mean Lorenzo.”
I can hardly breathe. “No, no…he’s nice, though.” I say that last part a little warmly, hoping to throw her off track.
“Ah, well then,” she says, and I know she’s taken the bait. “That’s great. He’s a good guy. A little scary, but good. Why don’t I come down to Florence tomorrow then, if you’re there for a few days. Where are you staying? The Savoy?”
“Yes…”
“Perfect. It will be easier for me to fly into Florence anyway. Listen, I’ll call you when I land. Don’t forget to warn the boys.”
And then she hangs up.
Holy SHIT.
I don’t sleep a wink.
How can I when fucking Jana is coming to Florence!
After she called, I went to join Claudio and Vanni in the stands, but kept mum on the phone call. I tried to get back into the game, but it was pointless. All I could think about was Jana coming. I barely even noticed when the red team won, thanks to some winning moves by Lorenzo, who ended the game all bloody, beaten and triumphant.
With the game over, we stayed on the streets and partied and drank, until Vanni was tired and wanted to go home. Then, on the way back to the hotel, I finally spilled the news.
Vanni, of course, was all super excited to see his mother.
And Claudio? Well, he was concerned, but not as upset as I thought he would be. Or, at least, not as upset as I was.
I’m still upset. I’m lying in a gorgeous room in the Savoy hotel, a view of the Duomo from my window, feeling groggy and exhausted, and all I want to do is bury myself under the covers and never come out.
But then there’s a knock at my door, spoiling those plans.
I slip a robe over my camisole and booty shorts, just in case it’s room service, and I open the door.
It’s Claudio, leaning against the doorway, looking effortlessly sexy and casual.
“Buongiorno,” he says to me, his eyes resting briefly on my lips. I know what he’s thinking. He wants to kiss me.
I poke my head out of the door, looking down the hall both ways, then push up on my toes to meet his mouth, giving him a quick kiss.
“I better do that now, because I sure as hell won’t be able to do that later,” I say.
He gives me a soft smile, eyes crinkling at the corner. “How are you doing?” he asks me. “You were pretty upset last night.”
I exhale and throw my arms out as I head back into the room. “Why shouldn’t I be?”
He closes the door softly behind me but keeps his distance. I suppose with Vanni right next door, he doesn’t want to get pulled into anything and lose track of time. That’s a bad habit of ours.
“Maybe this is all happening for a reason,” he says calmly.
“So you’re happy your ex-wife is showing up on our little vacation?”
He crosses his arms and frowns. “No. I am not happy. But Vanni is happy. And our little vacation includes