Her expression melted and she reached across the table and gently stroked the back of his hand. ‘That’s so sweet.’
‘I heard it in a department store once. I just stood there and listened. In the middle of the path, blocking everyone’s way. It stayed with me.’
‘What was it about the moment that caught you?’
His teeth found the inside of his cheek. ‘It was my first Christmas away from Sydney. I didn’t know anyone in Singapore at that point. I had been feeling sad and very lonely. I didn’t have anyone. No family, no partner. Physical separation is very difficult. That song is one I go back to sometimes.’ He ran a hand through his hair. ‘You know, also because . . . Bublé. C’mon.’
‘Oh, definitely. Man crush?’
‘To say the very least.’
‘I’ll join you there.’
‘What about you? Don’t leave me hanging like a sappy idealistic fool, holding hands with Michael Bublé.’
‘Never.’ She smiled coyly. ‘Eva Cassidy, ‘Songbird’.’
‘Why?’
‘It’s simplicity. Love is simple. We overcomplicate things. She articulates it so perfectly.’
A moment of contemplative stillness descended upon them. They fell quiet and it felt comfortable. For both of them.
‘Despite its challenges, I think this little activity helped break the ice,’ Matthew eventually said. Sarah passed him the deck and he returned it to the box.
‘You’re taller than I was expecting you to be,’ Sarah said, looking him up and down. ‘And your eyes are greener. They’reverygreen, actually.’
‘There’s only so much of me you can see on a Zoom call.’ He gestured from his waist to the top of his head. ‘The eyes are a D’Adamo trait. We all have them. Dad. My Nonno Andrea. His brother, Alberto, who you will meet tomorrow. And their father too, so I’ve been told.’ He sized her up. ‘You’re blonder than I recall.’
‘Can I let you in on a secret?’ She playfully lowered her voice and leaned across the table. ‘The highlights aren’t real. Sorry to disappoint.’
Looking at the confident, intelligent and naturally beautiful woman in front of him, Matthew wondered if it were possible for her to disappoint anyone. ‘No matter your hair, those eyes ofyoursare gorgeous. Like cinnamon. I’ve never seen a brown like that.’
Sarah felt her chest rise with the heat that prickled her skin.Gorgeous? ‘Well, it’s so nice to finally be here with you. Honestly, these last few months of planning have been surreal. Then our marriage ceremony; you in Singapore, me in Sydney. And the tech guy!’
‘Yes! He had one job! How hard could setting up an international video feed be in this day and age?’
Her eyes traced the features of his face, and her smile immediately mirrored his. ‘It’s nice to just be in the same place. Thank you for meeting me in Sydney.’
He shrugged. ‘We’re in this together from the start. I just wasn’t expecting the delayed flight, then the hotel-drop during the night. And the traffic.’
‘It’s fine. We’re here now.’
‘Thanks again, Sarah,’ he said. ‘I really hope to support you as best as I can through this. Whatever you need, I’m here for you. Just ask.’
‘Same.’
‘You’re just so relaxed about all this. It’s so . . . helpful.’ He ran his hands over his face, then dropped his elbows to his knees. ‘I’m so stressed about it all. There’ssomuch riding on this. Onme. Onus.’
‘It’s a big deal, Matthew. What’s the estate worth?’
Matthew’s nose scrunched and his forehead gathered in taut lines. ‘I couldn’t even imagine. Between trusts, property, shares . . .’ His chest began to tighten. ‘A lot.’
‘I still can’t understand why you had to be married. What is it, 1950?’
He scowled. ‘Try 1500. It’s always been about the D’Adamo bloodline. Continuity. Protection.’ He paused for a moment before adding, ‘We will meet Alberto first thing tomorrow.’
‘Your grandfather’s younger brother.’
