“I didn’t expect that from him,” she says in a small voice.
“For me, that chapter is closed. But he seemed to need that closure.”
She shrugs.
“It’s not about owing him anything... but for our children, I listened. I said what I needed to. And I hope he stays on that path. I hope he doesn’t fail them again, and that he finds peace with his choices.”
I can’t stop the smile that pulls at me. “Have I told you lately how incredible you are?” I ask.
She returns the smile. “I’m just trying to do my best with the cards life dealt me.”
No, amore,I think. She’s doing far more than her best. Most people in her place wouldn’t hold such grace. This inner strength that runs so deep it borders on awe. Many would choose bitterness, and no one could fault them for it. But not my Cecilia.
We talk a little longer, making the moments last as long as we can. Eventually, we have to hang up and reluctantly say goodbye, agreeing to talk again later.
As I get dressed for the day, a thought hits me.Mi sento un idiota[LXIX]for not thinking of it sooner. I grab my phone and fireoff an email to Lilian, asking her to handle something first thing in the morning: have a bouquet delivered to Cecilia.
White lilies. Zinnias. Desert roses.
On the card:
Keep shining as bright as you are.
Sei la mia costellazione preferita.[LXX]
Always yours, Alexander.
Chapter 25
Amore
Cecily
I look at the bouquet on my desk and smile.
Since last week, since Alexander sent the first one, three more have followed. Always the same flowers.
I have them scattered all over now. There’s one in my bedroom, another in the living room, and even one sitting on the kitchen island. But it’s this one, right here in front of me... the one I catch myself looking at every time my mind drifts—which has been happening a lot.
“Wow,” Mark says from the doorway. “If you look any more starry-eyed than that, I’m going to need sunglasses.”
I turn to find him leaning against the frame, one brow lifted in mock accusation.
“I didn’t hear you come in,” I murmur, pushing my chair back as I stand to hug him.
He pulls me into a hug and kisses my cheek. “Of course you didn’t. At this point, I’m not entirely convinced you even hear the noise from the workers in the house across the street. You’reofficially living on the moon—or should I say... in Alexander Santoro’s orbit.”
“Maybe both,” I say, nudging him before sinking back into my chair.
My thoughts drift right back to where they’ve stayed all day: with him.
In a few hours, Alexander will finally be on his way back to Pisa, after the delays in Dubai. Maybe in two more weeks, we’ll see each other again. And somehow, two weeks feels endless after these weeks apart. When just last month we spent our days tangled together from sunrise to sunset.
Lately, time hasn’t been moving as quickly as I wish it would.
Mark sits across from me, and I study him. He looks better than he did before I left for Europe... but he’s not back to his old self. Even if he manages to hide it.
“I’m waiting, Mark,” I say.
