My palms are sweaty, and I pray I’m not getting upper lip sweat too.
Not very attractive, Bonnie.
“You’re wearing the clothes,” she says quietly.
I fidget for a second. “They’re really nice clothes.”
I cast out all my wool the second I got home.
“You look beautiful.”
My face heats. “What did you want to talk about?”
“May I?” she asks, pointing to the only other rickety chair in the room.
I nod, and she sits. My office chair squeaks embarrassingly as I lower myself into it. Allegra straightens her silk blouse and tucks her hair behind her ears. It’s nice to see her looking more relaxed. I half expected to see the severe bun again.
“I’m sorry I haven’t kept in touch. I’ve been rushed off my feet.”
So, she’s still running the family. I don’t know why I expected anything else. It’s her life.
“That’s okay. The phone works both ways.”
“I wanted to tell you why I’ve been busy,” she says. I’m not sure I’m ready to hear about the family business again. “Lorenzo and I have been working to break the Ferrante family away from the Mafiosi—cleanly.”
“O-okay. I don’t know what you mean by that.”
She shuffles forward on her seat. “It means our business is no longer connected to the Mob. We’re free. No more pacts, no more crime.”
“Why? I mean, that’s everything you and Lorenzo have wanted. You were on top, right?”
“And you know I was unhappy. Everything changed when I met you, Bonnie.”
I can’t believe my ears.
“I know you said you’d never marry a mob queen or become a sex slave to one,” she says with a smile, “but would you be open to dating an Italian woman who loves fine wine and fashionable clothes? A woman who hasn’t stopped thinking about you since the day she laid eyes on you in this very store?”
“You want to date me?” I’m aware my voice is higher than normal, and there is nothing I can do to control it, because I am flabbergasted and excited and ready to shout my joy from the rooftops.
“I want to date the hell out of you.”
“What about the vineyard?”
“It’s still going—stronger than ever, but I needed a break. I needed to come here and fight for my chance with you, Bonnie.”
“You want to stay here? In the UK?”
“I’ll stay wherever you want me to. Just say you’ll give us a chance.”
I’m on my feet in a nanosecond. Hell, yeah, I’m giving us a chance. She catches me as I launch myself into her lap. Taking her face in my hands, I kiss her hard. It’s bruising and not exactly romantic, but I’m just happy she’s here and wants me. There is plenty to talk about and I have a million questions, but they can wait.
“Is that a yes?” she mumbles in my mouth.
“A definite yes.”
We’re interrupted by Janice walking in. Her face is a picture of glee. “Wait until Clive—”
“Oh,fuck off, Janice.”
