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“Fake fiancé Levi would have an impeccable house. Hell, he’d come clean your house.”
“Perfection is so boring.” I climbed off him and held my hand out to help him up. “I prefer the mess.”
***
As Signore Visconti predicted, his wife was overjoyed to see Levi at brunch, and to his delight, she kept refilling his plate.
When Helen Harris showed up by herself, I was disappointed to not see her husband with her. I felt so guilty for having thought the worst of him, for believing that he was purposely keeping me away from Signore Visconti.
She sat down next to us and explained, “Reginald got called away early this morning. Some business in Greece.”
“Oh?” The hair on the back of my neck stood up and I immediately admonished myself. There I went again imagining things. “I didn’t realize he had anything going on in Greece.”
“Neither did I!” She laughed, digging her spoon into half a grapefruit. The only thing on her plate. “He never ceases to surprise me. I guess that’s the secret to a good marriage.” She flashed a smile in Levi’s direction. “Speaking of . . . Claudia and I were saying that you should have your wedding here!”
Levi started choking on his brioche and Signora Visconti pounded him on the back. When he finally pulled himself together, he looked like Helen Harris had delivered a knockout punch to his gut. Then he quickly recovered, and smiling said, “We’re not rushing things.”
“Not rushing!” Helen laughed. “You’ve known each other since you were children.”
“Exactly,” I said. “So there’s no rush.” I tried to keep the hurt from my voice. Obviously, Levi and I weren’t really engaged and whatever this was between us was so new, but I wasn’t expecting such an intense reaction.
Levi, sensing my unease, glanced at his watch. “Geez, Indy, will you look at the time? I’ve got to be back on base this afternoon. We’d better get a move on if we’re going to make it on time.”
As we said our goodbyes, Signora Visconti embraced me. “We’re so thrilled to have you next year in Roma! And, Levi, I hope we will have more dance lessons from you. My granddaughter has already a list of friends who would like to learn to waltz.”
“Wouldn’t want to disappoint them!” Levi smiled politely, but once we were outside, he turned to me wide-eyed. “Please tell me that I won’t have to spend weekends with a bunch of adolescent girls. As much as I’d do anything to help you advance your career, I have to draw the line somewhere.”
“I promise you’re off the hook.” I patted his shoulder then almost tripped on my own feet at the sight of Pete pressing Sabrina up against the back of the Jeep and kissing her.
Levi nudged me. “What did I tell you? I knew he had it in him.”
“Should we . . . ?” I moved my foot back grinding the gravel in the process, and they broke away from each other. Sabrina hopped away like she’d been scalded.
“Hi, guys.” I smiled. “What’s up?”
Pete’s neck was bright red as he answered. “Not much. Um, I think we’re going to stay a bit longer. Professor Harris forgot something at the Laboratorio. I have to get it.”
“I’m going to help,” Sabrina explained, still not making eye contact.
“Are you?” I asked, unable to wipe the grin from my face.
“Oh just stop it, D,” she warned, grabbing me by the arm and pulling me toward the trees lining the driveway. “Don’t look so smug.”
“I’m not smug. I’m surprised and weirdly pleased? So did you two . . .” I made a hole with my thumb and index finger and moved my other index finger in and out.
“Yeah, okay? Petey has some surprisingly effective moves. Still waters and all. It was pretty hot.” She had a wistful expression on her face, then put her hands on her hips. “It doesn’t mean anything. You should stay, come snoop around the Laboratorio.”
I was dying to tell Sabrina my news about the fellowship but had promised I wouldn’t. And as tempting as snooping around was, I didn’t want to get caught and jeopardize my chances. “No, Levi needs to get back and I . . .”
“You want to jump his bones again,” she finished my thought, shaking her head. “He’d better do right by you this time, D, or I will feed him his own junk.”
I hugged her. “Thanks for always looking out for me. I feel good about it this time.”
As we walked back to the cars, my phone buzzed and I realized that I’d barely looked at it the whole time we were here.
“Oh god,” I groaned, opening up my messages. I had over twenty missed calls—one from my parents and the rest from Ashleigh. She’d also sent dozens of hysterical messages.
Deedee, please call me back ok? It’s an emergency
