‘What do you mean, what doIthink? I love Stefano!’
His cheeks tightened. ‘But,withme?’
‘It has nothing to do with me, Checco. The only thing that matters is ifyoulike him.’
‘I do.’ His gaze was fixed on his boots as they walked in time. ‘I just didn’t know howyouwould feel about us being involved. At work.’
‘You’re not teenagers incapable of self-control.’ She shook her head. ‘This is all perfectly fine. Stefano is like a member of the family. A cousin.’
He grimaced.
‘Ok, bad analogy. He’spartof us. And he’s a wonderful, brilliant, intelligent man.’
Francesco’s brows furrowed. He exhaled, then said, ‘Ok.’
Suddenly, Lucia stopped and turned to face him. ‘What’s holding you back? You seem hesitant about something.’
‘It’s not my news to share. And nothing is set in stone yet . . .’ His voice trailed off while he sought permission from his conscience to share Stefano’s news. ‘He may not be staying in Venice. He’s applying for lectureships.’
‘Ah . . .’ Lucia closed her eyes and gave an acknowledging nod. ‘I see.’
‘Please don’t say anythi—’
‘Of course I won’t.’
‘He’s applying to Perugia. Bologna. Maybe Roma.’
‘When?’
‘He hopes to be there before the end of this semester. June.’
‘Tranquillo. You have time to figure this out. And those places aren’t Tokyo, or Cape Town, Checco. A few hours by train.’
Francesco pulled himself free of her grasp. ‘You know me better than anyone, Lucia. I’m a jealous, controlling beast of a man, and I most certainly cannot be in a long-distance relationship.’
Lucia stifled a giggle. The delicate hand that returned to her arm was anything butbeastly.
She caught the eyes of a few passers-by who seemed intrigued by Lucia’s presence out in the open with Francesco. She spotted a not-so-covert elbow nudge, a few raised eyebrows; there was even a whistle. But this was textbook public behaviour Lucia was used to, and so she simply allowed them to fade from her attention.
‘Why are you thinking so seriously, though? How long have you been seeing him?’
They rounded a bend.
Francesco frowned, knowing she wouldn’t like the answer. ‘Six months. And, there’s no one else.’
‘Sixmonths?! Six? And you’re only telling me now?’
‘I didn’t want to jinx it.’
‘Checco, you should have told me sooner.’
‘Non importa.’
‘It does matter. I want you to be happy. I want to share in your happiness.’
‘Grazie.’ His eyes were drawn to a few seagulls overhead. ‘I don’t think it will matter in the end. I think June or maybe earlier is the expiry.’
Lucia paid this comment no heed. ‘What is it that you like about him?’
