“Like when you were in the Hamptons?”
“Yeah. I spent two weeks with my sister. Her birthday’s at the end of August, but as you already know, she ditched me and went off with a group of friends instead.”
I smile. “Your sister sounds like quite a character.”
“She definitely is.” His mouth curves. “And I have to remind her to send you your painting.”
“Oh, that’s right! With all the travel arrangements, it slipped my mind. Did you bring yours?”
He meets my eyes before answering. “Yes. It’s in my room. On the wall, right across from my bed.”
We hold each other’s gaze until Sam licks my hand, breaking the spell.
Alexander stands, loads our plates into the dishwasher, and heads upstairs to get ready before we leave.
And all the while, my mind keeps going back to the way he looked at me when he spoke about the painting. His bedroom is the only place in the house I haven’t seen yet. Well... that and the terrace.
I call Sam and step outside with him to wait for Alexander, letting the landscape clear my head.
Alexander
“It feels almost surreal to be standing in the exact spot where one of my favorite movies was shot,” Cecilia says, turning in a full circle to take in every corner of Piazza San Michele.
“It’s...” She hesitates, searching for the right word, then laughs when it finally finds her.“È meravigliosa!”[LII]
I smile and keep watching her as she wanders ahead of me, noticing every detail as if the city itself had been waiting just for her.
We spent the morning in Calci, wandering through its museums and visiting the Pieve dei Santi Giovanni ed Ermolao, then had lunch at a small, charming trattoria nearby. Now we’re in Lucca, letting the day end here.
“You have more in common with Nicole Kidman’s character in that film than just your hair color,” I say in a half-teasing tone.
She turns back to me, brow lifting. “Should I take that as a compliment?”
“Without a doubt. Like Isabel Archer, you’re intelligent and independent. You dream without fear, but you always have a foot in reality. And most importantly, you chose to live a life made of your own choices, not dictated by anyone else’s expectations.”
With each word, I move closer, crossing the space separating us until only a breath remains. I lift my hand and tuck a stray lock of hair behind her ear, my fingers lingering for just a second too long.
“And there’s a vulnerability in you,” I add, “so open, it stands in perfect contrast to the strength you carry. Not despite it... but because of it.”
I only hope our ending won’t mirror her favorite character’s...a thought I keep to myself, unwilling to be the one to dim that light in her eyes.
Cecilia looks at me, speechless. A thousand emotions cross her face all at once. I half expect a witty remark. But that’s not what comes from her beautiful lips.
“Why haven’t you kissed me again?”
There is longing in her voice. And something far more fragile than desire.
“Do you want me to?” I ask, not masking my own feelings.
She exhales, but doesn’t look away from me. “You’re answering my question with another one.”
I take her hand and lead her hurriedly down the narrow street beside us, away from the open square and from the curious eyes.
When we stop, I lift both hands and cradle her face, my thumbs tracing her jaw, my voice deep. “Do youwantme to kiss you?”
I hold her gaze. “That’s all I need to know,” I murmur. “I’m following your lead, Cecilia. You set the pace.”
My eyes are drawn to the movement of her throat as she swallows.
