“It’s fine,” Cord repeated, as if to himself. The driver helped Charlotte aboard, and Lee followed. Regan climbed on the bus. Charlotte opened a map of Rome and focused intently. Through the window, Regan watched her brother. He seemed younger, flushed as he spoke to Giovanni. And right there in the middle of the parking lot, Giovanni reached out and touched Cord’s cheek with his fingertips. Cord leaned into the touch.
“Oh,” said Regan. She knew love when she saw it. She wanted to be happy for Cord. But what she felt, as a searing pain in her rib cage, was envy.
—
REGAN’S MARRIAGE WAS DONE.She had returned from Pompeii the day before to find Matt packed and ready to leave. Regan opened their cabin door and he stood, cleared his throat. His expression reminded her of the times she’d seen him break bad news to a family about the way a surgery had gone. “Regan,” he said. “We need to talk.”
Regan sat down on the bed. She was warm from the day and her feet ached, but she wasn’t going to take off her shoes. She put her shoulders back. “Why is your suitcase out?” she asked, gesturing to his American Tourister.
“I’m in love with someone else,” said Matt. His voice was assured, rehearsed, cold.
“Oh,” said Regan. She’d known it was coming, but still, it stung.
“I didn’t want this to happen,” said Matt. “I didn’t. But it did happen. I love her.”
“Who is she?” said Regan.
“She’s a teacher. Her name is Janet.”
“Janet,” said Regan.
“I tried. I tried so hard, Regan.” He stood straight, his voice lowering to a pleading tone. “I thought maybe this trip would fix us, but I…it just seems like prolonging things now. I want to do the right thing here.”
“What about me…and the girls?” said Regan. Matt knelt by the bed and pulled Regan into his arms. She didn’t struggle.
“I’ll always take care of you, Ray Ray,” he said. She closed her eyes and held her breath.Let me go,she thought.Please.“I’m so sorry,” said Matt.
He would need to be the savior in his own mind, Regan knew. She had to be careful. “I know you’ll take care of us,” she said.
“I will,” he said. “I promise. Always.” Regan kept her head down and exhaled slowly. Her heart was a metronome. “You should stay,” said Matt. “You enjoy the cruise with your family. But I’m going to fly back. She…she needs me to come home. I need to go, before the ship leaves port. But I…I wanted to tell you in person.” Matt rose, approached the door. “I’m so sorry,” he said, and then he left.
Regan found her phone in her purse and called Zoë, who answered on the first ring, though it was midmorning in Atlanta, and she was surely at work. “Thank goodness,” Zoë said.
“It’s me,” said Regan.
“Did you see the report?” said Zoë.
“I’m going to need a lawyer,” said Regan. “A good one.”
“I have a guy,” said Zoë.
“I knew you would,” said Regan.
“You’re going to be okay,” said Zoë.
Regan nodded, but didn’t speak.
“I love you,” said Zoë.
“I know,” said Regan.
Before heading to dinner, Regan called the lawyer Zoë had recommended. She left a message, and then she emailed him the private investigator’s report. Sitting at her computer, Regan saw that Matt had thrown the telegram into the trash can under the desk. She almost pulled it out to look it over, but why?
She already knew what it said.
THE AIR IN ROMEwas scorching. Lee shaded her eyes and spied an extralong golf cart heading toward them. It was piloted by a man with enormous muscles and a large gold chain around his neck.
When he reached them, the man halted the cart. His eyes were hidden by aviator sunglasses. “I am Donte,” he said. “Hop aboard for the adventure your lifetime.”
