“Ignore him. Honestly, the only person who has an issue with our parents is Lucca.” Gio lifts our drinks from the bar and carries them expertly in one hand while taking my hand in his. I’m glad of his hold on me because it gives me confidence.
“Harleigh, this is my mum, Margo, and my father, Alexandro.”
I shyly hold out my hand to the elderly couple, but Margo walks straight up to me and wraps her arms around me. I feel huge in her small frame.
“Bella.” She holds me out at arm’s length and studies every part of me. “It’s wonderful to see that someone beautiful has captured my son’s heart and soul.”
“Grazie.” I say in the only Italian I know.
“Nice to meet you, my dear. Please, call me Alex.” Alexandro holds his hand out to me and tenderly shakes mine.
It’s easy to see where Gio gets his soft, tender touch from. In fact, Gio looks extremely like his father in every way. His eyes, hair, and face shape are all Alexandro.
“Come and have a drink with us.” Margo points to their table and Gio puts down our drinks. He pulls out a seat for me and I gratefully accept it. When I’m behind a table, I can hide my insecurities and play with my hands, fidget with my dress. Anything if it contains my nerves.
Only that doesn’t happen, because Gio reaches over and takes my hand and holds it tenderly between his. It’s as if he heard my thoughts and tries to break my tradition. That wouldn’t be a bad thing, because I hate my nerves and anxiety. I’d do anything to lose them.
“So, this is a nice surprise. What brings you out here?” asks Gio.
“We just wanted to see our sons. It has been a while, and it’s clear you’re not coming out to Italy any time soon.” Margo reaches over and squeezes Gio’s arm.
“We’ve just been so busy, Mum. We’re opening a new bar soon; the paperwork and planning is taking up all of our time. We won’t get home any time before the season ends.”
“Here?” asks Alex.
“What?”
“The new bar. Is it here?”
“Sunny Beach. It’s a good business decision. One we’ve seen coming for a while. When it did, Lucca and I jumped on it.”
I hear the uncertainty in Giovani’s voice. And for the first time since I’ve met him, I see a vulnerable side. I squeeze his hand and he gazes down at our joined hands and winks at me.
“And what about you, dear? Do you live out here?” asks Alex.
“I don’t. This is just a holiday. I’m a teacher, first and foremost. I’m also a freelance editor in my spare time, but it’s more of a hobby now, I love it so much, I couldn’t give it up when I went into teaching fulltime.”
“How did you meet?”
I feel like I’m on the spot and getting asked sixty questions. I just hope I don’t fail this interrogation. I’ve never had to meet the parents before. Martin’s mother died when he was a child and he didn’t speak to his father and stepmother. This is new territory for me.
“Here, actually. We haven’t known each other all that long.”
“Ah, early days. That’s the fun part,” says Margo.
“It is. You’ve raised two lovely sons.”
“We’ve tried.” Alex sighs. “I’m not sure where we got Lucca from. Giovani makes up for them both.”
I look over at the bar and Lucca is moping around. I feel this absurd need to stick up for him.
“I happen to think Lucca is amazing. He’s been fantastic with me since I’ve been in Bulgaria. He works hard, he’s kind, and he’s fun to be around. He’s a good friend. Loyal. And that’s something extremely hard to come by nowadays.”
“Are you sure you’ve picked the right brother?” asks Alex.
I choke on my own saliva. Did he just ask that question? I’m taken aback, but I find myself straightening my back. I look over at Gio and I’m hoping he sees my apology before I let go of my anger. I can’t sit here and feel bullied by someone who doesn’t know me. I vouched after Martin that I’d stick up for myself and the people I care about. That extends to Lucca and Gio now. They’ve showed me nothing but kindness and respect since I landed on their doorstep.
“There is no question in my mind that Gio is who I’m meant to be here with. However, I see Lucca as a friend. A good friend at that. I’ve had enough rubbish happen to me over the last couple of years and I happen to be anextremelygood judge of character. Gio, I’ve had a lovely evening, but I think I need some beauty sleep.”
