Chapter 29
Hanna
I take a plate from the drying rack in the sink. The coffee machine gurgles. "Would you like some jam with your biscotti?" I ask Florian, who has settled comfortably on the only chair that doesn't look like it could collapse at any moment.
"Sure," he looks up from his phone. "When will the coffee be ready?"
We're running late; Florian has to leave again in an hour to make it back to Tyrol on time. "It'll be ready in a moment," I reply quickly, setting up two cups. At the same time, I wonder when this automatism between us has set in, where I serve him so naturally.
When was the last time he did something nice for me?
He brought me roses. That was very nice of him. Wasn't it?
I carefully fill the cups. "Can you help me here?" I ask afterward, feeling like a new person. I've never asked him to do anything for me, but if I want to fulfill my intention of living more for myself, that has to change too.
He furrows his brow, looking up from his phone again. I smile at him and gesture to his coffee cup and the plate of biscotti. For a moment, he seems like he doesn't understand the world, butthen he gets up from the chair to help me with breakfast. "I really need to talk to Signor Olivetta. Our lawyer found some details in the contract that raised some concerns," he says, sitting back down. "Hopefully, he can speak English."
I have no idea if Vico's father speaks English. Although he supposedly lives at the estate too, I've never met him. Nobody talks about him. He's like a ghost. "Shall I translate for you?"
"I can handle it easily. After all, this Camilla will be there too." He sips the hot brew and grabs a biscotto.
"I understand." I nod convincingly because I do. There's nothing this man can't handle.
Unavoidably, I wonder who wouldn't dream of having such a partner. As I contemplate this, I lean against the rustic kitchen counter with my coffee.
"Besides, I noticed a lot of things are still left on the checklist."
I try to ignore his reproachful tone. Mostly because I'm not sure if it's justified. I have to get everything done within a week and return to help at the inn. So it's fine if he asks about the annoying checklist, right? "I'll get to work right after breakfast."
Florian takes another bite and grunts in approval. Then he jumps up from his chair, causing it to rattle loudly against the stone floor. "I really have to go now. Wish me luck."
"Good luck," I say, doing my best not to think about what his luck means for the Olivettas. "Will we see each other later?"
For a moment, he furrows his brow. "You wanted to get started too. Have you forgotten?"
Right.
I instantly feel foolish. Instinctively, I slap my forehead with the palm of my hand. "Sorry, I guess I'm not fully awake yet."
He comes closer with a gentle expression, taking my face in his warm hands. "I trust you, Hanna."
"You can," I confirm hastily, just to make myself feel better.
He nods. "I know." His lips find mine briefly, "I'll miss you."
I should say the same in return, but instead, I wave it off. "It's just a few days."
"Still, I can't wait," he says with a soft voice and kisses me again.
"Your appointment," I mumble against his lips. I have this feeling that I should be more affectionate. I should show him how important he is to me and that I can't bear the idea of parting ways in a few seconds. But something inside me resists.
The part of me that unnecessarily keeps thinking about Vico.
"Right," he pulls away. With an inquisitive expression, he strokes my cheek one last time. Does he suspect what I was just thinking? "See you next week. I'll come back here once more. That way, we can spend a few hours together at the estate," he says with such longing that I feel even more ashamed of my uncontrollable feelings.
Florian is a great man. A caring partner and someone I can always rely on. And what am I doing? I question every word and gesture of his. I obsessively try to figure out if we truly belong together.
All because of a man I've only known for two weeks.
