Chapter 18

I uncap thered polish and start painting my toes while I talk to Cara on speakerphone.

"And then what happened?" she asks.

"He said, I don't think I can, and then got in his car and drove away."

"What? That's it? He left you standing in the rain with that?"

"Oh, Cara, I'm so fucked. I'm a total headcase with this guy. It scares me."

"You've said that like five times already," Damien shouts in the background.

"Damien, shush! Go light something on fire," Cara says.

"One time, woman. One small fire, and you won't let me forget it. I can cook!"

"Oh geez, he's gyrating his hips and swinging a kitchen towel around in the air."

I giggle, but then sober with Cara's next question.

"Why are you scared?"

"I don't know…he's got me all mixed up inside."

"You really like this guy?"

"I do. I did. I don't know. There's only so many times you get rejected before you throw in the towel. He says he can't have a relationship right now."

"Hmm. Maybe he's afraid to get invested because you'll have to end it when you come back home."

"Maybe." I rest my chin on my knee.

"Why does it have to be this big declaration of love between you two? Have fun! Sow your wild oats with the hot Italian olive grower. Keep your heart out of it."

"Keep my heart out of it. Solid plan." I cap the nail polish and don't tell Cara my heart is already compromised. "And now I have to go to a pool party with Dr. Bianchi, Nina, and Gio."

"Aw, look at you making friends. Hey did you ever hear from Granite? You only have a couple days left of vacation."

"I know. It's weird I haven't heard from Allen yet, but it's the weekend. I'll call on Monday." I groan, flopping back on my bed. "What do you think I should do about Lorenzo?"

"I think you should go hunt him down and tell him the truth. That you understand his reluctance, but you want to see where this might lead…hopefully to a horizontal position."

"You want me to put myself out there for him to shoot me down again? Sounds like an awesome plan."

"He's obviously into you if that kiss was life changing. You don't let someone like that walk away. Put your big-girl panties on and find out what's holding him back."

"But he's my boss, Cara."

"Boss, shmoss, it's not like it's a permanent position or you're his personal assistant. Quit making excuses. At least get some good sex out of it!" She snickers. "Seriously though, you haven't shown this much interest in a guy since Chris."

"And look how that ended. Not well."

"I think Barbara's co-dependency on you sunk that ship."

"And his blonde spunky coworker," I grumble.

"Well, it's just you and Lorenzo in Italy. Make the best of it."

"Cara, I need you," I whine pathetically.

"No, you don't," Damien shouts again.

"She wasn't talking to you," Cara shouts back. I can picture Cara rolling her eyes and swatting him with the dishtowel. My heart sinks, missing them like crazy.

"Maybe I should just come home."

"I'll admit, I thought this idea of yours was insane at first, but I think it's been good for you. You sound…happy."

I snort. "This is happy?"

"Okay, well, not right now. Go have your Italian love affair. Be wild for once, Summer. You owe it to yourself."

"But—"

"What did Frances do in the movie? She went out and bought a pretty dress and said she was going to find her bees, or butterflies, or whatever the hell kind of bug she was looking for."

I giggle. "Ladybugs."

"Whatever. My point is, she went for it."

"Yeah, and when she got there, he was with another woman." I stand up and pull my two swimsuits out of a drawer. I eye the sexy two-piece dolefully. I'm almost forty, I should wear the one-piece. I pick it up and frown because it's not as cute as the bikini and the butt has pilling.

"Okay, well shit, I forgot about that part, but she put herself out there, yeah?"

"I guess."

"Put yourself out there, Summer."

"You make it sound so easy."

"Take pics of the pool party. I need to see some tight Italian asses in swimsuits."

"I heard that," Damien calls out, making me smile.

"Will do, love you," I say.

"Love you, too. Goodbye, beautiful! Ciao, bella! See? I'm learning."

"Ciao, bella." I smile and hang up with Cara, releasing a big sigh. She's right. I came here with a purpose to have some fun, and dammit, I'm going to make it worth my while. I throw the one-piece back in the drawer.

She's also right about Lorenzo. I need to find him and tell him how I really feel. The point of me coming to Italy was to channel my inner Frances. I owe myself that much.

The pool islong and rectangular, with crystal-blue water reflecting the cloudless sky above. I sit back against my cushioned lounge chair. Fiore hands me her sunscreen.

"I'm so glad you could come and hang out today. I'm sorry I didn't get to talk to you much last night. Parties like that are always so crazy for me."

"Oh, no worries," I tell her. "Thank you for having me. And I'm sorry Gio, Angelo, and Nina are coming by later."

Fiore waves her hand. "I don't mind, but I should warn you, it will get crazy. Gio is always loud. He probably invited a bunch of people, too."

I chew my bottom lip, wondering how to ask Fiore about Lorenzo. "Will your brother be over?"

"Ah, who knows with Renzo. He was pissed you left the party last night in the rain." She turns her head in my direction and arches an eyebrow. "Did he catch up with you?"

"Uh, yes. He was mad."

She giggles. "I hope you gave it right back to him. I tried to tell him a woman can leave whenever she pleases."

"I did." More than you know, Fiore.

"Ah, good. It's about time his big head is put in its place."

Even though her English isn't perfect, I get her meaning. "Is he…dating anyone?"

"No one serious, at least not since Gabriella."

"Who's Gabriella?"

"His ex-fiancée." She purses her lips.

"Oh." A thousand questions are on the tip of my tongue, but I don't want to seem too eager or nosy.

"Renzo met Gabriella at a party in Florence. She was young, beautiful, and full of life. He was completely smitten by her. It was love at first sight for both, and they got serious fast. But they were ill-fated from the start. Renzo was immersed in the business, and Gabriella wanted to run around with her elite rich friends. She was too much for Renzo, like a wild horse he tried to tame. And with any wild horse that's been captured, she became difficult to control. Renzo wanted her to live here in Tuttoscano, and she wanted to be in Rome where the action was. He wanted a family, and she wanted champagne toasts with her friends on yachts."

"He didn't see they weren't right for each other?"

"I think he didn't want to see it, you know? She was very charming and fun. I believe my brother loved her, but not for the right reasons. She hurt him deeply when they called it quits, and he's never quite recovered. It's been five years, and I keep hoping he'll meet someone new. Don't get me wrong, he's not a monk. He goes on dates, but it never turns serious. He works too hard."

My stomach clenches at her mention of him going out with other women. "How did Gabriella hurt him?"

"That's something Renzo will have to share with you." She frowns, sliding her glasses up. She turns on her side and smiles at me. "Are you interested in my brother?"

"Oh, no…I was just curious." I replay the scene from last night in my head. It's all starting to make sense. Is he afraid I'll hurt him like Gabriella? Fiore's lip juts out in a pout, so I quickly change the subject before she can dig deeper. "So, Fiore, are you dating anyone?"

"No, not really."

"Fredo's pretty cute."

"Sí, he is…but I prefer the shape of butternut squash to a meatball," she says, her cheeks turning rosy.

"I don't even know what that means…squash to meatballs? Non capsico."

She laughs. "I like the boobies, Summer."

"Oh…oh!" My brain catches up a few seconds later. "You don't have a girlfriend?"

Fiore's smile falls. "I did, but she did not like being kept a secret."

"Why did you keep her a secret?"

"Because it would upset my mother and grandmother too much if they knew. I don't share that world with them."

"Oh, I'm sure they would be happy for you—"

"No, Summer, they would not understand. My family is tradizionale. They don't accept a woman can love another woman. It goes against the Catholic church." She sighs. "Sometimes I go out with Fredo just to get Mamma off my back. Fredo is one of my best friends, so he's happy to help me out."

"Do your brothers know?"

"Sí, they know and accept me as I am, but no one else in my family knows. Not even Gio or Nina."

"But, times have changed, I think you'd be surprised—"

"No, not here in Tuttoscano. You can't tell anyone, Summer. Promise me."

"I would never betray your confidence, Fiore. But I'm here for you if you ever need to talk about it."

"Grazie, Summer, that means a lot." She sighs, shielding her eyes against the sun. "Mamma drives Lorenzo and me pazzi, asking when we're going to get married and produce lots of grandbabies. We should have five kids a piece by now."

I swallow. "Does Lorenzo want lots of children?"

"I don't think so. He's thirty-two and so busy with the farm he doesn't have time for a family. We always say he's married to the olives." She laughs. "But if he met the right woman, that could all change." She smiles lazily at me, her eyes dancing with mischief. My cheeks heat as I study the smudge on my painted toenails.

"Thank you for sharing with me, Fiore. It means a lot."

"Thank you for listening, sorella."

We sit in companionable silence for a few minutes while the blistering sun beats down on us.

"I think I'm going to test the water." I get up and dip my toe in before sitting down and dangling my legs in the cool water.

"Salta nell' acqua," a male voice shouts. Gio, Nina, Angelo, and Fredo saunter through the gate.

"Ciao, Fredo!" Fiore jumps up and runs over, flinging herself into her best friend's arms. My heart breaks a little for Fiore at that moment. How awful it would be to have to hide a part of yourself. I anxiously wait for one more to arrive, but he doesn't show.

Nina dumps her bag on a chair next to mine before walking down the length of the pool with her perfectly toned and tanned butt cheeks on full display. Everyone is chatting in Italian, and I've never wished I had learned the language more than in this moment. I feel isolated, and it suddenly dawns on me that every time Lorenzo is around, everyone speaks English. My heartstrings tug.

Gio grabs Nina and pulls her into the pool, and she lets out a loud squeal. A body sits down next to me. I glance over and thank God I'm wearing my sunglasses because Angelo is wearing the tightest, brightest yellow bikini briefs I have ever seen. His dark skin is slick with tanning oil, and a gold cross lays against his chest.

"Ciao, bella."

"Ciao, Angelo."

"Sembri un buon bocconcino," he says silkily.

"I'm not sure what you said."

He smiles wickedly. "Ah, how do you Americans say it? You look good enough to eat. Are you going to get in? We could join the fun."

Heat crawls up my neck. I watch the others playing chicken in the pool. "Ah, not exactly my style."

"Shame." He runs a finger down my thigh. I take his hand and place it on the sliver of concrete between us. I can't help but notice the bulge in the shockingly yellow briefs.

"Your suit is like a flag to a charging bull," he says.

"I'm sorry?" I check my bikini top to make sure everything is in its place.

"Your red swimsuit. It drives me crazy, like a bull. It's like the ties on the side are teasing me and the color red has always made me…insaziabile." He licks his lips, and I lean away from him. Lorenzo warned me Italian men are forward, but Dr. Bianchi's bedroom eyes are intense. Perhaps I had a mild concussion after the accident for thinking this guy was appealing before.

"Well, you know what they say…mess with the bull and you get the horns." I laugh lightly, edging away from him.

"Eh? You Americans and your funny sayings. I like my women spicy…piccanti. Are you spicy, Summer?"

"Angelo! Vieni nell' acqua!" Nina shouts before I can respond, and for once, I'm thankful for her interruption because I'm utterly tongue-tied.

He raises his hand. "Un minuto! They want me to get in the water. Are you sure you don't want to join?"

I smile briefly. "Go on, enjoy. I'll get in soon."

He flashes me his pearly whites before he dives in. Water splashes on my skin, making me shiver. Another group of people stroll into the pool area, and Gio shouts to them in greeting. My quiet afternoon with Fiore has quickly turned into a spring break pool-fest. I search the party, but no sign of Lorenzo.

"Meglio solo che male accompagnato."

His deep, familiar voice startles me from my ruminating. I turn around, a quiet groan escaping my lips. Lorenzo is lounging in a chair next to Fiore's. His bare, bronzed, muscular torso soaking up the sun with his arm stretched above, cradling his head like he doesn't have a care in the world. His eyes are hidden behind a pair of dark Wayfarers, but I know he's looking at me. His washboard abs sparkle with a sheen of sweat. He leisurely gets up and saunters over to me, my fingers itching to touch the smooth expanse of his tanned chest. I tuck them under my thighs to squelch the temptation.

Cara was right. I need to speak up for what I want and sow my wild Italian oats with this man. His fitted black and blue swim trunks are much more appealing than Dr. Bianchi's loud yellow briefs. He eases down next to me, putting his legs in the water.

"What did you say?" I ask.

"Better to be alone than in bad company, tesoro."

"You think your cousin is bad company?"

"I think…you should be careful."

"How long have you been sitting there? I didn't even see you come in."

"Long enough, bullfighter." He playfully bumps his shoulder with mine. "I came up the back way." He splashes some water on his arms. "The red suits you. Are you going to get in?"

"Yeah, maybe. You?"

"Sure." He smiles, and it makes my heart beat out of control. The suntan lotion and the sweet smell of sweat on his skin make my hormones kick into overdrive. Flashbacks from last night in the rain, his lips on my skin, nearly pull me under.

He eases into the water, careful not to splash me. He turns around and places his muscular arms on the ledge. It takes all my self-control not to lick the drops of water sliding off his shoulder.

"Come on. It feels good."

"Okay," I agree, sliding into the cool water. He's right. It feels refreshing to my fevered skin. Butterflies thump wildly in my stomach as I prepare to lay it on the line. "I'm glad you're here because I wanted to talk to you about last night—"

"I can't, tesoro," he says, interrupting what I planned to say. He turns and watches Gio throw Nina into the water, her squeals starting to get on my last nerve. "We should stick to just being friends. That's all I can offer you."

The butterflies in my stomach freeze and crumble into dust.

"It's no secret I'm a busy man. My work consumes me and it's my priority. I don't have time to get involved with someone." He waves a hand between us.

"I'm not Gabriella, Ren." My words hang in the air like a gunshot in the dark. He arches an eyebrow.

"How do you know about Gabriella?"

"Fiore told me."

"Ah, of course she did." He huffs, shaking his head. "All the same, tesoro. I'm sorry I kissed you last night. I shouldn't have done that. Ho perso la testa ieri sera."

I quirk an eyebrow.

He smiles guiltily. "I lost control of myself last night."

"I'm not sorry," I whisper, but Nina's shrill screams drown me out. I gather my courage and try again. "Lorenzo, you can't deny there's an attraction between us. You even said so last night. Why can't we just have a casual affair?" Even as the words tumble off my lips, I know I'm fooling myself. Nothing about Lorenzo Rossi screams casual.

"Friends, Summer. That's all I can give you," he says again, with finality.

"Yeah, sure." I slowly sink into the water, wanting to drown myself in humiliation for putting myself out there. Not only did I have the best kiss of my life with this man, but now I've managed to keep myself friend-zoned until I leave. I can't make him want to be with me.

His hand wraps around my bicep, pulling me up. "Tesoro, don't drown on me now. I'm going to play volleyball with the guys. Want to join?"

Across the pool, Gio and Angelo set up a net. "Uh, I'll sit this one out."

"Okay…" He looks like he wants to say something more. Something important. Perhaps I should kiss him and show him that being friends is way overrated. I snort and shake my head. If I had a dime for every time one of his lovers thought that…Lorenzo Rossi probably breaks hearts all over Tuttoscano like it's his second job.

"Are you okay, Summer?"

I'm completely devastated and embarrassed, Ren. How do you think I'm doing?

"I'm fine," I lie.

"Join us in a bit, sí?"

"Sí." I lift myself out of the pool and Gio and some other guy whistle.

"Basta, Gio," Lorenzo growls, sending his cousin a scathing glare.

I'm so grumpy right now I don't even care. I plunk down onto my chair. Fiore and Nina join me a few moments later.

"Ah, I see my brother came. He must have snuck in under Gio's radar."

"Mmm, look at all those fine men," Nina purrs next to me. Only one tanned Italian god stands out to me as he jumps up to spike the ball, his muscles rippling with the effort.

Fiore leans forward. "So Nina, a little birdie told me you and Angelo might have baciato…kissed."

"E non solo…" she says, smiling wickedly while checking out her nails.

Fiore laughs and slaps my leg as she waggles her eyebrows. "She said they did more than that."

He was flirting with me and trailing his fingers up my thigh not even fifteen minutes ago and he was with Nina? What a slimeball.

"Summer, you look like you just swallowed a lemon. Are you okay?" Fiore asks.

"è solo gelosa."

I grimace. "I am definitely not jealous, Nina."

"Tell me, Summer, if you could have your pick of one of those men, who would you choose?" Fiore asks.

Lorenzo. Hands down Lorenzo Rossi.

"None strike my fancy."

Nina snorts. "Bugiarda."

"She's not lying, Nina." Fiore sighs. "I was hoping you would say my brother."

I rub sunscreen on my arms. "Your brother and I are just friends."

"Well, that's no fun. Renzo needs to let loose with someone."

"I'm available," Nina purrs. I want to squirt sunscreen in her eye.

"I doubt Renzo would be interested now that you've hooked up with Angelo." Fiore frowns. "I'm going to get some Pellegrino. Would you like some?"

"Sí, grazie."

"Limone, per favore." Nina glances over at me once Fiore is out of earshot. "Summer, what's your arrangement with the Rossis, anyway? How did you snag that house for yourself and get the easiest job up at the farm? Does your family know them?"

I shift uneasily, uncomfortable with this line of questioning from Nina. "No, I stopped in the house one day looking for a place to stay."

She snorts. "Signora Rossi just gave it to you? No wonder Lorenzo was so angry."

"She didn't just give it to me, and I keep it clean and the garden tidy—"

"So, what's your angle, Summer?"

I look at her sidelong. "I'm not sure I know what you mean."

She sprays oil on her legs as she formulates her answer. "La famiglia Rossi é ricca sfondata, or as you Americanos like to say, rolling in the dough. Everyone in town would like a piece of the Rossi fortune. It's no secret how wealthy they are and how much their estate is worth."

"What? No, no. That's not—"

"And you just show up, out of nowhere, dazzling the whole family like un truffatore—"

"Nina, that's not how it happened."

Fiore comes back over with our drinks. I force a smile as she hands me a tall glass of bubbling water with a lemon wedge, but I want to throw up.

"Summer, you're from California? Do you know anyone famous?" Nina plasters on a fake smile like she hadn't just accused me of being a gold digger.

"Ooh yes, Summer! I'd love to meet Brad Pitt," Fiore gushes.

"No Fiore, he's so old. Ma bacerei volentieri Harry Styles."

"Sorry." I shrug. "I don't know any celebrities. I'm in the northern part of California. Not a lot of celebrity sightings up there."

"Disappointing." Nina gets up and walks the length of the pool to the shallow end. Anything I'd say at this point would disappoint her. Gio gets hit in the head with the volleyball as he watches her.

"Fiore, how long has Nina been working for you?"

"Uh, about two years now."

"Have Lorenzo and her ever dated?"

Fiore and I watch while she playfully dips her toe into the water and splashes Lorenzo.

"No, not that I'm aware. She's too uh…immatura for Lorenzo. She's twenty-six, but acts younger."

I blow out a breath I didn't even realize I was holding. "Ah…I see."

"Are you gelosa, Summer?"

"Relieved is more like it."

She grins at me and playfully slaps my leg. "Molto bene."

"Fiore, what does the word truffatore mean?"

"Uh, a scammer or a con artist. Why?"

I swallow thickly. "Nina said something, and I just need you to know I'm not here to take advantage of your family. I…just wanted you to know."

Fiore smiles. "Don't worry, Summer. Lorenzo had a background check done on you when Nonna hired you."

"Oh." Well, that's news to me. This information might have been upsetting, but I'm relieved the Rossis don't think I'm a con artist like Nina does.

I pray this family never has to meet my mom, Barbara. All my credibility will go right out the window.

Later that night,after showering, I open up my email. I hold my breath and click open the one I've been waiting for from my boss, Allen.

Summer,

We hope you're having a wonderful time over in Italy. I apologize for the delay in my response, I didn't want to bother you during your vacation time. I have received your request to work remotely for the summer. Because of your dedication and loyalty to the company, your request has been approved.

I whoop and jump on my bed. Yes! I still have a job. I settle back down and continue reading.

We just won the bid for the Chemistry for College textbook series and I will need you to work on this project at the end of August. It's a very important client of ours. Let me know your progress on the Algebra Series for Phoenix International after your vacation. I've set up a Zoom link for you.

Sincerely,

Allen Krantz

VP of Product Development, Granite Scholastics

I fall back against my pillows and blow out a breath. I quickly text Cara and Barbara, updating them about my plans to stay in Italy until the end of summer.