Sabrina’s stomach dropped. Busying herself with the glasses, she placed them on the far side of the kitchen island, distancing herself from Nora and Lorenzo. Nora whispered into his ear. Heat rushed to Sabrina’s cheeks.
Nora is your friend and she’s hosting you for the foreseeable future. Be strong. Nora has known Lorenzo a lot longer than you.
“This is the strongest vintage my Gus has in our collection,” Giulia said. With a pop, the cork of the bottle sailed through the air and bounced against the countertop and into the sink. A wispy vapor rose from the top of the bottle. Giulia poured a generous serving into the closest glass and handed it to Nora.
“Bere, Lorenzo,” Nora said.
He extended his hand to receive the glass. Sitting up, Lorenzo tipped his head back, and in two gulps, downed the liquid. He set the glass to his right and returned his head to its resting spot.
Sabrina felt a nudge on her arm. She cocked her head to the side. Giulia held two glasses. “Oh, thank you.” Sabrina accepted the glass. She sniffed the amber liquid, recognizing the scent of the apricots as Sciacchetrà wine.
Giulia initiated a toast. “Salute.”
Copying the other two women in the room, Sabrina raised her glass and sipped the liquid. Honey overpowered the lemon flavor of the wine.
“Too dry.” Giulia smacked her lips together.
Nora’s nose crinkled. “It also needs to be chilled.”
Giulia refilled Lorenzo’s cup. “Anyone else care for seconds?”
Both Nora and Sabrina politely declined.
“Do I have a say in the matter?” Lorenzo’s voice crackled.
“No. Bere,” Giulia insisted.
Lorenzo sighed and drank a second glass of the wine, grimacing. His cheeks were a rosy pink.
“Noemi struck you hard, but I don’t see any bruising. Just some swelling and residual redness.” Nora brushed a stray lock of hair out of his face. “You’re going to have to stay with Giulia and Gus tonight. You’ll be in no fit state to drive or sail a boat for several hours after what just happened withthatwoman.”
Lorenzo pushed the stool back and jumped to his feet, protesting in Italian.
Sabrina looked away. “Why don’t I give you some privacy? I’ll just head to the lobby.”
Finally taking notice of her, Lorenzo cried, “Sabrina! My diamond in the rough. You’re still here.”
She moved a lock of hair behind her ear. “I, uh?.?.?. don’t really have anywhere else to go.”
He smacked his palm against his forehead. “I had plans for us and Noemi ruined them. She’s still mucking up my life two years later.” He plopped himself unceremoniously back onto the rim of the stool. “My pearl,” he purred. “I wanted you to show you justhowspecial you are to me. You can’t leave for Florence. You must stay here. With me.”
Goose bumps rose on her arms. Her pulse picked up, beating against her ribs. She wanted to believe him.
Does he really mean this, or is it the alcohol talking?
“Are you and Nora a couple?” Sabrina blurted out.
Lorenzo grimaced. Nora snorted. Giulia hid a smile with her hand.
“Sabrina, I can assure you that I would never in my right mind even consider dating Lorenzo. He’s my brother.” Nora shuddered.
Leonora. Nora. Lorenzo’s elder sister. Why didn’t I make the connection?
Her mouth opened and formed an O shape. “I can’t believe I didn’t recognize that you two are related! All the signs have been right in front of me this entire time.”
Looking at the two siblings side by side, Sabrina could see that Nora and Lorenzo shared the same nose, lips, and smile.
“How did you meet my brother in the first place?” Nora tilted her head.
