We’re greeted by a pleasant hostess who seats us at a cozy table in a small alcove, ensuring our privacy as well as offering a more intimate atmosphere.
“This is pretty,” I note, looking around the restaurant. “It’s very elevated nonna’s kitchen vibes.”
“You sound like a social media post.”
“I like the tiles.” I point to the flooring, a pattern of cobalt blue and bright yellow, reminding me of sun-drenched Sorrento.
“I’d like to take you to Italy,” Luca murmurs, surprising me.
“You mean…for the camp?” I clarify as my heart rate increases.
He clears his throat and dips his head in a nod, but his eyes blaze with too many emotions to settle on. “Sí. Yes.”
“Right,” I agree, opening a menu. “Well, I have good news. My girls have their first playoff game scheduled for next week. But after that game, there will be a long weekend so…”
“Complimenti,” he says, offering his congratulations. “Send me the details and I’ll do my best to watch the game.”
“Thank you. I will.”
“And I’ll see if I can book flights for your long weekend. We have a small break too before our second leg of the quarterfinals.”
“I hope the timing works out.” Excitement thrums through my veins at the prospect of spending a few days in Italy with Luca. It’s not that we’re hiding our relationship, or whatever this is, because we’re not. But, away from Spain and my family and prying eyes who know us, we can disappear for a bit. Have some time to truly explore this spark between us. Give it a chance to catch fire and ignite.
“Me too. Vino?”
“Please. I’d love a glass of wine.”
When our server appears, Luca orders a bottle of red wine and a handful of appetizers while we settle on our entree choices.
Once we’ve determined that he’s indulging in pasta carbonara and I’m going to enjoy pasta pesto, we close our menus and he leans back in his chair. Lifting a glass of wine in my direction, he says, “A te, campionessa. Much success next week.”
“To us, Luca,” I amend his toast.
We clink glasses and I take a long sip of the bold red.
When I place my glass down, Luca’s smoldering glance holds my attention. “What is it?”
“You surprise me, Carla.”
“In a good way?”
“In the best way possible,” he murmurs. “I forgot what this is like…”
“Going on a date?” I tilt my head. I know he’s dated.
He huffs out a little laugh. “Being with a woman who makes me want more.”
His words catch me off guard. Luca’s always been honest but sometimes, his truths overwhelm me. Because they ring with sincerity. I don’t know how to make myself that open, that vulnerable, to someone else. I hide behind humor and adventure. I lean into nitpicking to find quirks that are deal-breakers. I add distance and create space.
But with Luca, I don’t want to. And I’m not sure how to reconcile the emotions he stirs up with my one-track, career-driven ambition I’ve relied on for so long.
“It’s new for me,” Luca continues. “A welcome change.”
I clear my throat and take another sip of wine. Stalling like the brave woman I am. But as the wine rolls over my tongue, I try my hand at honesty too. “Everything with you is new for me, Luca. I don’t do…serious entanglements.”
“You’re more than an entanglement to me.”
“Me too. And that’s what I mean. This, you, it’s all new for me. The promise of it is more than a dead end.”
