Abby’s eyes welled with tears. “Thank you, Marcia. I could use a friend. I’m honored.”
“Think nothing of it. Now let’s have a glass of wine with our pasta. Celebrate the Lombardi Group merging with the Zanetti empire. Dante’s hard work over the last few years has come to fruition. He’ll want to celebrate tonight.”
“The last few years? He’s been working on this deal that long?”
“Didn’t he tell you?”
Abby shook her head. “No.”
Marcia sighed. “He’s not much for sharing informationabout his business. Give him time. Since Roberto, he’s not used to having anyone to share his life with.”
“I know. I found life quite lonely last time. He worked all the time.”
“It was Roberto’s death. When we lost our brother, so soon after our father died, it was as if Dante shut himself off from everyone. Not physically, but emotionally. He’s set up this impenetrable wall so that he wouldn’t be hurt again. When he married you I thought perhaps he was thawing.”
Marcia left her words unsaid, so Abby said them. “But when I left it only made the situation worse.”
Marcia nodded.
“I wish I had understood him more. I wish I had taken the time to get to know him.”
“Fat chance. When Dante wants something, he gets it. He wanted you as his wife. You didn’t stand a chance.”
“And look how well that turned out,” she said wryly.
Marcia smiled. “I’d say it’s working out quite nicely. I’ve never seen him so happy. I’ve never seen him work so little either. Home every afternoon… Mark my words, bambinos will happen soon enough. Then you’ll wish for the odd moment of privacy. Like my shopping trip today. Let’s enjoy.”
“I hope so.”
Marcia winked. “Come finish your lunch. We have Dante’s money to spend, and some serious shopping to do.”
Chapter 14
“Your test results are normal, Dante. As I suspected, the PSA levels must have risen due to a slight infection. The antibiotics I gave you have cleared it up.” The doctor looked at his notes. “I think we can go back to annual tests instead of repeating them every three months.”
Just like that, the fear that had been smothering Dante until he almost couldn’t breathe disappeared. He hadn’t realized how much dread had gripped his soul until the doctor said those words.
“Grazie, Dr. Cavelli.” Dante couldn’t stop shaking the man’s hand. His life sentence had just been paroled. He would still have to be continually tested, but today and for the foreseeable future the grim reaper had been sent to purgatory.
He rose hurriedly. He wanted to shout out the news to everyone, but he hadn’t shared his condition with anyone. Yet he knew the one person he wanted to celebrate this special day with—Abby. He looked at his watch as he strode through the corridor and out into the sunshine. She’d be about to finish work. Abby had talked him through On the Shelf and what she was working on, and he, of all people, learned about compromise.
It hadn’t hurt at all.
She could work as long as he and the family came first and she didn’t tire herself out. He’d noticed she looked a bit worn-out of late. He was going to suggest she have an early night this evening, alone for a change, but now—now he was so happy, he wanted to make love to her and celebrate.
His phone began vibrating in his pocket. It was a calendar reminder. Checking the text, he gave a small curse. He was having lunch with Carla. Normally he’d love to catch up with his childhood friend and tormentor, but he was so hyper with suppressed energy, all he wanted was to find Abby.
Carla was already seatedwhen he arrived at their favorite restaurant. He bent and placed a kiss on each cheek. “Ciao, Bella.”
“My, someone’s in a good mood.”
“Carla, my friend, life is good.”
She lowered her menu. “Who is this stranger sitting across from me? I haven’t seen you this happy in—well, for a long while. Abby wouldn’t be the cause of the twinkle I see in your eye?”
Dante laughed. “Maybe.”
Carla silently studied him. “Would it surprise you—or frighten you—to know that I think your wife is in love with you?”
