Chapter 40

My legs burnas I push the pedal down. "Why on earth am I in this circle of hell again?"

"It's a beautiful day, cara mia," Romeo shouts as he glides by, giving me a thumbs-up.

I glance to my left. Lorenzo smirks as he catches my expression. I shake my head. "This was a bad idea."

Lorenzo grins, looking cool as a cucumber on his bike, while I probably look like I had a fight with a racoon.

I groan, my legs protesting, muscles I haven't used in a year burning.

"I thought you enjoyed biking, tesoro."

"I hate it."

"Then why are we doing this day tour?"

"Because it turns out I'm a sentimental idiot, and I thought it would be fun for all our friends. I know you could easily be at the front of the group," I pant. "Just go."

"I'd never leave you behind, Summer." He smiles cheekily. "Besides, I enjoy looking at your fine ass."

Harrison and Daniella whiz by on their electric bikes. Harrison starts to sing "Eye of the Tiger," and I give him the middle finger. He laughs and waves.

"I'm pretty sure Romeo chose the hardest route," I gripe. "Why didn't we opt in for the electric bikes again?"

Lorenzo laughs like he's not dying on this hill from hell. "Because this is a better workout. Keeps you in shape for other activities…such as sex."

"We get plenty of exercise doing that."

"Oh Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, when is this hill going to end?" Lynnette cries out from behind me.

I peer over my shoulder and grin at her sparkly blue Be Happy visor. Her skin is lobster red as she huffs and puffs alongside her boyfriend, Gary. They met in the grocery store a few weeks after she got back from Italy. They reached for the same bottle of Chianti, and it was love at first sight. Gary said he fell in love with her blue eyes. Lynette thought he had a nice smile. It was serendipitous. If she hadn't gone to Italy, she never would have started drinking Chianti and never would have met Gary.

I watch Daniella throw her head back and laugh at something Harrison says. Lorenzo and I grin at each other. I never would have thought those two would mesh, but they've been inseparable since we introduced them at dinner on Harrison's first night back in town. Daniella's father is a plumber and she, too, is terrified of birds. It's a match made in heaven, if you ask me. We've become good friends since I moved back. She, Fiore, and I are pretty much inseparable. Perhaps she can convince Harrison to move here, too. Toilets are a universal product, after all.

Cara and Damien are ahead of us. They are avid Peloton riders and keep ooh-ing and ah-ing over the picturesque landscapes while they chat with Romeo. Damien is super excited to get back to the villa, though, because Fiore has promised him a cooking lesson while she prepares for a big feast tonight at the Villa Rossi. This could be the beginning of a beautiful friendship…for Damien and for Cara.

Lorenzo's brother, Emilio, and his wife, Caterina, are up in front with Harrison and Daniella. They both welcomed me into the family with open arms. They have three adorable daughters who are currently tearing up Stella's shop while she watches them for the day. Emilio shared over cocktails last night that he never thought his little brother would marry. He's ecstatic Lorenzo found someone who appreciates the family history and how important the farm is to the family.

After a group picture overlooking the town, Romeo guides us onto a side road that leads us back down into Tuttoscano. "Hey Harrison," I call out. "Remember this spot? This is where you dislocated my thumb. If it hadn't been for you, I never would have moved here!"

He peeks back over his shoulder and smiles. "Somehow, Summer, I think you would have found a way to stay. An American lost in Tuscany."

"True, I was determined to find something here."

"Did you?" Lynnette shouts from behind me.

I look around at all my friends, who jumped on the first flight here when I said I was getting married to the most amazing man in Italy. I'm surrounded by family, laughter, and a hot guy who thinks I've hung the moon.

I turn to Lorenzo, my heart completely full. He returns my smile with a wink, and I thank my lucky stars that led me to him.

"Sí, Lynnette. I found it."