My chest tightens.
"Marta raised three children of her own. She can handle one bath," Dante says, touching my hand softly.
It's such a tender touch too, like he wants to reassure me, which again surprises me.
Who is this man sitting next to me?
I look at Marta.
She nods reassuringly. "I'll take good care of her."
Sofia slides out of her chair and runs to Marta, and they disappear down the hallway together.
I start to stand, but Dante speaks before I can leave.
"Stay for a drink."
I pause. "I should help with Sofia."
"Marta's a mother, Angelica. She knows what she's doing. Stay. Just for a few minutes."
I lower myself back into my chair, and Dante stands and walks to the sideboard where a bottle of wine sits open.
He pours two glasses and brings one to me, then sits back down and raises his glass.
"To unexpected reunions," he says.
I take a sip.
The wine is smooth and rich.
It warms my throat as it goes down.
Dante drinks and sets his glass on the table.
"Why didn't you come back?" he asks.
His question is enigmatic.
He's going somewhere I don't want to go. "What do you mean?" I ask, trying to ignore the gnawing sensation of anxiety in my gut.
"After you found out you were pregnant. Why didn't you come back and tell me?"
I stare at my wine glass.
"Because it was a one-night stand. I was grateful for your help, but I wasn't looking for a relationship. And later, when I needed help, I had no idea who you were or where to find you."
"You knew my name."
"I knew your first name. That's all. I didn't know how to reach you. I didn't even know you lived in Rome. I thought maybe you were visiting, a traveling gambler there for a good time."
Averting my eye so I don't have to make eye contact with him, I sip more wine and let the warmth flush my cheeks.
He nods slowly. "Are you shocked by who I am?"
I meet his gaze. "I'm terrified by who you are."
"Why?"
