page40 (1/2)

Once he’d said the words he considered the at the next pieces and he watched her Maybe he wasthis too complicated An attraction did not a fairy tale make And he was the last person on earth to believe in fairy tales Gina believed enough for the two of the he illing to risk himself

Gina had been young and full of her own grief at their mother’s abandonment Luca had been a little older He had seen the toll it had taken on his father He’d realized his father had truly loved his ain he’d seen his father try to win her love only to fail, and in the end losing her had broken Papa’s heart Luca had never wanted to put hiuish

Maybe it was doing this job for too long that had him dissatisfied Tired of the endless travel and rootlessness, of living out of a suitcase and only going houed him about Mari She knew her place and was happy in it

He was sh to knoasn’t hies; with experiencing new things and it was breathtaking to watch her blossoh to believe it was him, as she said

He wouldn’t take it further than it had already gone, and in the end they’d part as friends He’d return to Italy

The idea didn’t see for him at hoed to break free and take his own place within the company To step out of the shadows To be Luca, not just the son and brother

Mari returned to his side “Have you finished?” She placed her hand on his sleeve “I thought I’d do a little shopping of my own before the stores close But if you’re not…I can stay”

He wanted her to stay with hi it Didn’t like knowing he’d somehow lost control of the situation he hireeot hurt in the end Maybe he wasn’t looking for love, but he sure wasn’t looking to hurt anyone, either

“No, you go I’ll see you tomorrow”

“You’re sure?”

He leaned over and on i why in the world they tasted like strawberries “I’ smile at her

“All right then Don’t forget, we have a ner for our spring plans”

“I’ll be there”