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At the top he took her hands and kissed each of her cheeks and her eyes slid closed before she could think twice Pulling back slightly, he held out his arh his elboareness and sos as he placed his hand over her forearm

“You look…bellisima Beautiful, Mariella More beautiful than I can possibly describe”

This was the Luca she reer from their breakfast, or the distant boss froone and in its place was a man who exuded warmth and spoke to her as if she were the only woman in the world She tried to push the hope down in her heart, yet a little of it rehtened as he led her to the door of the dining rooht her to, then He’d

Then the door opened and her lips dropped open

It was h she’d seen the plans Everything was gilded and regal, like stepping into a fairy tale with her prince on her arold; pristine linens a backdrop for the creaold china and the distinctive tinkle of real crystal ste everything with a lulow Tuxedoed waitstaff darted between tables amid the hush of opulence

It was the royal castle Luca had envisioned frorowing near, yet that little seed of hope in her heart told her it felt like a beginning “Oh, Luca Look at what you’ve done” Her feet stoppedas she blinked rapidly

“Not just me You, Mariella You inspired this the day you took me to the attic”

“Me?” She turned to him in surprise, found his eyes on her steady and completely in earnest

“You inspire me, Mariella Is that so hard to believe?”

“Yes,” she whispered, her stoaze dropped to her mouth He wouldn’t dare kiss her here, would he?

And the moment held, suspended

He’d been waiting For her Tonight she wanted to live the fairy tale To grasp the few fleeting hours and pretend she was the princess To believe she was chosen She kneould end soon enough Tonight it was hers and she would not ruin it with doubts and fears