And she had no idea why he was telling this her now, nor did she care.
Because Annie knew that already; she’d spotted it on his credit card the first night he took her to dinner.
His name wasn’t Harry at all, but Edward – Edward Hargreaves.
Chapter 38
Then
Colette was nervous. Luca said he hadn’t been in touch because he’d been called away on business.
But things had definitely changed. Since that night on the boat, she’d started to have serious doubts about whether he was interested in her or, like Annie said, he was playing her.
She’d listened to her friends and their words of caution hadn’t been lost on her.
Kim advised her to let instinct guide her decision-making. If Luca wanted a relationship beyond Colette’s time here then he’d make that clear. Then it would be up to her to decide if it was what she wanted. Kim also reminded her that there was an ocean between them and those weren’t easy hurdles to overcome.
And then there was Ed. In his last text he had straight out asked to meet up soon for coffee.
There’s this great little café I found, very traditional, brimming with crazy locals – I think you’d love it.
Colette was intrigued. Ed was so charming and funny that time in Sorrento – the opportunity to chat some more with him would be lovely. She was sure whatever this place he was talking about would be right up her street, too, but to be fair while friendship was all he seemed to want, it still felt wrong to take him up on the offer.
I appreciate the invite, thank you – but I’m kind of already seeing someone …
He responded immediately:
Oh I’m so sorry, I can see how the invite might have come across. I wouldn’t want to step on any toes. I meant merely as friends. And compatriots, of course. :)
I’m a bit busy this week, she hedged, unsurely. I’ll let you know …
Colette wished she had Kim’s wisdom and Annie’s street-smarts, especially when it came to matters of the heart. The problem was that her heartwasher guiding force.
She couldn’t deny that she was happy Luca had called to the villa today, asking her to come for a drive.
Hehadn’tabandoned her, lost interest in her because he’d got what he wanted, or whatever Annie had been trying to suggest.
He’d also told her to bring a swimming costume, and she wondered if they were going out on the boat again. The thought of a repeat of that wonderful night under the stars filled her with an all-too-familiar desire, and she knew that no matter what – if any – intentions Luca might have beyond this trip, she was already caught in whatever web he had already spun around her.
When Luca’s car eventually arrived at Fiordo di Furore, a tiny beach situated low beneath an ornate arched bridge, Colette had at first been a little disappointed that it wasn’t the boat. But all too soon she became completely taken by the picturesque spot and aquamarine waters of the fiord.
‘Is this it?’ she asked from the bridge, steeling herself for the inevitable trek down another of Italy’s endless stepped walkways to access the beach.
He chuckled. ‘It’s one of the best places to swim. And also not so many tourists are willing to make the thousand-step descent.’
Thousandsteps? Colette’s eyes widened.
Luca retrieved a basket and umbrella from the back of the car and soon they were on their way.
Eventually, they descended onto the pebbly beach and found an intimate spot at the far end, where Luca set up a beach umbrella and towels.
‘You brought your swimming costume?’ he asked and she nodded. She was wearing the one-piece under her summer dress.
Before she knew it, he was stripping and Colette gulped, trying hard not to stare. Few men in their swimwear looked like Luca did in his, and possibly even fewer without.
Folding her dress tidily on the blanket, she followed him into the water. He kept backing in while she walked towards him.
‘Shouldn’t you turn around?’ she laughed. ‘How will you know where you’re going?’
