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Marco frowned. ‘No, I never said I went home … I …’ He recalled that night and began to smile, piecing together what had happened. ‘I met an incredible woman, we spent a magical few hours together. I couldn’t stop thinking about her, but then I met you …’

‘I met a man with blue eyes?’ Gina’s brow creased as she remembered the eyes behind the mask.

‘I still had my contacts in, I’d forgotten to take them out.’

Gina felt time stand still, gazing at Marco in wonder as though seeing him for the first time. ‘And the day of the accident with the helicopter, I’d almost forgotten after everything else that has happened since, your eyes were blue then, too …’

Her mind flashed back again to the night of the carnival.

Marco …

‘You were wearing a mask … a golden bear?’

‘And you wore a stunning white and gold dress.’

‘You saved me from those men.’

They both stood in stunned silence for a moment, the enormity of this discovery stealing their words.

It was Marco who found his voice first, and it was gruff with emotion. ‘I’ll always be here for you, for ever. I promise you that.’ He pulled her close and kissed her passionately. Gina kissed him back, losing herself in his embrace. Desire rose within her, sparks fizzing through her body, and she pulled away, staring up at him with longing.

‘Time for that celebration,’ she smiled, taking his hand and leading him towards the bedroom.

Epilogue

Venice, May 1995

Venice was at its most breathtaking in the spring as the trees burst into blossom, with purple wisteria draped over palazzo walls and oleander blooming in every piazza. The first visitors had begun arriving, but it was nowhere near as crowded as it would be in the summer, overflowing with hordes of tourists who poured into the tiny city. Right now it was perfect, the days warm and the evenings mild. The sunrises were bright and golden, while the sunsets were fierce in bold shades of pink and orange.

But Gina had no time for reflection as she dashed around the terrace, ensuring that everything was perfect.

‘How long until the guests start arriving?’ she called out, not aiming the question at anyone in particular, but at any of the dozen hotel staff racing past.

‘Thirty minutes,’ came the reply.

Gina inhaled sharply, her mind running through a mental list of everything that still needed to be done.

She felt two strong, steady hands land on her shoulders and whirled round to see Marco smiling at her. She caught her breath at how handsome he looked, in a black tuxedo with a gold cummerbund. It reminded her of the evening at La Fenice, where they’d first watched Lucia de Santis perform, then got caught in a rainstorm and taken shelter in a bacaro. The first night she’d admitted to herself that she was falling for him.

‘Hey, you,’ she said softly, as she gazed up at him.

He kissed her lightly, both of them aware that this was a professional event and Gina was technically working, but the look in his eyes held a promise for later.

‘Gina, this is incredible,’ he breathed.

‘Did you expect anything less?’

‘You need to slow down for a second. Take it all in—’

‘I can’t, I need to—’

‘The team have it all under control. Don’t overdo it. Just take a moment and look at what you’ve created.’

Marco was insistent and Gina did as she was told, secretly appreciative that he was proud of what she had done.

She turned to look at the city. Venice was laid out before her, the Grand Canal sparkling in the sunlight as though it had been sprinkled with thousands of diamonds that danced on the surface, as a veritable procession of boats made their way along the iconic waterway. She gazed out over the orange tiled rooftops, down past the domes of Santa Maria della Salute, to the palatial White Palace in the distance.

They were standing on the rooftop where Marco had taken her the very first night they’d met, and it had never looked as beautiful as it did right now. Gina had needed to track down the owners of the terrace and obtain the necessary permits to hold Max and Olivia’s nuptials there, but she’d thrown herself into her work – her first big event since the accident – and had outdone herself.