“I know and I’m truly sorry.” Adrian stood up and walked around the table. He kissed the top of her head and pulled her close.
Ginny pressed her cheek to his chest and felt his heart beating. The events of the last few weeks slipped away, replaced by memories appearing in her head, of her first kiss with Adrian, getting the keys to their first house and kissing baby Phoebe’s tiny fingers. They’d had so many wonderful times together and some tough ones, too. There were probably more of each to come, that they could embrace and face together.
It seemed the older you got, the more life picked up speed, and she and Adrian might be halfway through it by now, or even three-quarters. Or perhaps even nearing the end. Life was impossible to predict.
“Give me the chance to make things right,” Adrian said, crouching down beside her. “I’m happy to arrange everything and you can even invite your new friends. I’ve already been thinking about what to say in our vows. I love you and always will.”
Ginny willed herself to echo his words, so things could slide back to how they were previously. She screwed her eyes shut and found she couldn’t do it. She stood up stiffly and dropped her blanket onto the chair. “I need to sleep and have time to think.”
Adrian hesitated. “Okay, I understand.”
Ginny walked toward the back door and Adrian accompanied her. They stood facing each other in the shadows, and it was easy to imagine him as a young man again. She was about to say good night when he suddenly leaned in and kissed her.
His mouth felt so familiar and inviting that Ginny melted into him. The kiss was like sitting in front of the fire on a cold day, wrapped in a fluffy blanket. It felt like a welcome home.
After pulling apart, they glanced coyly at each other like the teenagers they once were.
“Sorry, I couldn’t help myself,” Adrian said, pressing his forehead against hers. “Please call me when you wake up, whatever your decision is. Phoebe and Pete will go ahead with their ceremony anyway.”
Ginny swallowed. “Okay.”
“I hope you sayyes.” Adrian kissed the tip of her nose. He picked the photo frame up off the table and passed it to her before walking away. He paused to wave when he reached the hotel gates. “See you later,” he called out.
“Shh.” She giggled back at him.
Back inside Splendido, Ginny stood with her back against the door, hugging the frame to her chest. Her heartbeat sped as she walked across the empty dining room toward the stairs. Had thisreallyjust happened?
She jumped when she caught sight of someone standing at the end of the hallway in the darkness.
“Ginny,” Nico said. “Are you okay? I thought I heard voices.”
Her fingers stiffened around the frame. She felt strangely guilty about talking to her husband and was glad it was too dark for Nico to see her face properly. “I’m just going to bed. Sorry if I woke you,” she said. “And sorry again about this evening.”
She had the strongest desire to tell Nico about Adrian’s arrival and to ask him how he’d feel if Maria returned, begging for his forgiveness. Would he welcome her back with open arms? However, Ginny’s eyelids were sore and swollen and she saw Nico stifling a yawn, too. They’d both gone through enough emotional turmoil for one evening and she needed to sleep. “I should go to bed now,” she said.
Nico moved closer so Ginny could hear his breathing. Something about his presence always made her feel safe and secure.
“I must also apologize for the way I spoke to you earlier, the way I spoke to everyone,” he said. “Loretta has explained everything and things will look better when we all wake up.”
“I hope so,” Ginny whispered. “Good night, Nico.”
As she crept upstairs in the dark, she concentrated on each step and thoughts whirled in her head. Phoebe was here to get married, and Adrian wanted to renew their wedding vows. Wasn’t this exactly what Ginny wanted, what she’d hoped for?
And then there was Nico. Lovely Nico who had stirred up feelings inside her that had lain dormant for a long time, who was kind and caring and...new.
What on earth was she going to do?
30
Ribbons
Ginny slept surprisingly well, considering she’d almost been swept out to sea and her husband had shown up in Italy unannounced. When her eyes opened, later that morning, she turned to see Adrian smiling out at her from the silver photo frame, proving he reallywashere. There was a tickly sensation in her stomach when she remembered their kiss.
He had displayed all the spontaneity, interest and, yes, passion she’d been looking for. And yet, his presence on the dating site and his conversations with Jenny speckled in her head like tarnish spots around the edge of an old mirror.
Ginny recalled how she’d fought hard to hold her own parents together. Today, she had an opportunity that had evaded her back then. She could glue back the pieces of her own relationship, to fix it and make it strong again. Phoebe wouldn’t have to experience the turmoil of her parents’ marriage breaking down, like Ginny had.
She sat up in bed and reminded herself that out of all the potential matches on ChainReaxions, Adrian had been attracted to the photo and profile she’d created. He’d replied to her wink. They’d both rekindled their connection and the ceremony would seal that. It would be amazing if Phoebe and Pete said their vows, too, a real family affair.
