He’d noticed those things? Remembered them? He’dpersonalisedthis whole trip for her. Because he was adetails guy. But more than that, he was aniceguy. A prickly, over-protective, deeply pained, nice guy.
‘This was unbelievably thoughtful of you,’ she said huskily.
‘It was nothing,’ he said quietly, his wariness intensifying.
She shook her head. It was too late for him to backtrack now. He’d done it and he couldn’t deny it—his actions told her things about him. He might not have meant this in any romantic or intense way, but it did still mean something. To her.
‘I never had a birthday party as a child, so while this might be nothing to you, I truly appreciate it.’
She took the earrings from him and turned to the mirror to put them on.
‘No party ever?’ He leaned close and watched her.
‘My parents were always away for my birthday. It’s peak racing season.’
‘They’re away now?’ he said. ‘What about presents? Did they bring you one when they got back?’
She shot him a twisted smile. ‘It wasn’t a priority.’
Since they’d learned about all that, Elodie and Bethan had made a fuss of her on her birthday. But Edo had done all this without knowing a thing about her pitiful birthday past.
She looked at her reflection then met his gaze in the mirror. ‘The earrings are beautiful, Edo.’ She would treasure them. ‘This whole day has been lovely. Thank you.’
He met her gaze for a long moment. ‘I’m glad you like them.’
Yeah, it wasn’t just the earrings she liked. Honestly, she didn’t need accessories when she had him standing beside her. She was really, truly, deeply in trouble.
‘We’d better go,’ she said huskily.
* * *
Three bodyguards escorted them into the foyer of La Scala.
‘This is ridiculous,’ she hissed as people parted to make way for their entourage. ‘It’s not like we’re royal.’
‘You look it,’ he muttered, wrapping his arm around her.
He stole her breath so easily. A second later it was stolen again as she stepped into the theatre. She’d entered a red and gold, luxurious world. Their private box had just the two gilt chairs and delicate refreshments. It was desperately intimate and romantic. Until she glanced down and saw a bunch of upturned faces.
‘People are staring,’ she murmured.
‘Stare back haughtily,’ he instructed with a wink. ‘The audience is here to be seen as much as watch the opera—or at least, until the curtain rises.’
Was that why he’d wanted her well-dressed and bejewelled—to be seen? No. Edowasn’tRyan. This was different. Edo had brought her out in public only because he’d guessed—correctly—that this was an experience she’d dreamed of. This wasn’t a generic night out, this had been considered—tailored, for her birthday. And as lovely and touching as it was, she couldn’t let herself read more into it. But that was a new battle.
‘It’s a spectacle, yes?’ he asked.
Absolutely.She forced her focus away from him and onto the scene before her. In moments she was fascinated by the fashion, the hauteur, the hum. Beautiful people of all ages streamed in. Phoebe watched one elderly couple slowly walk to their seats. They kept holding hands as they waited for the performance to begin. They looked like they’d been to many performances together and suddenly she was wistful as anything.
‘It’s a tragic love story,’ Edo explained as the orchestra tuned. ‘Tosca will do anything to save her lover, even sacrifice herself.’
It didn’t matter that her Italian was limited, the music was overwhelming, the story epic. Phoebe lost all sense of time in the intensity of it. In the second half, the lead tenor sang a solo that savaged Phoebe’s heart. Not only hers—the entire audience was silent for several long seconds after the singer ended.
When the applause finally thundered throughout the theatre, she turned to Edo—and froze. The man wasashen. There were beads of sweat on his brow and, while he was staring at the stage, she was certain he wasn’t even seeing it. She put her hand on his but he didn’t respond. This was more than being swept up in the emotion of the opera—something was actually wrong.
‘You need some air,’ she said.
Keeping hold of his hand, she stood before he could answer. Or argue. She led him out to the quiet foyer, gesturing for the bodyguard to stay back. Edo leaned against the wall and drew in a deep breath. She waited, watching the colour slowly return to his cheeks.
