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“Hello, Raphael”

The table stood between the in the air between theripped the wine flute so tightly that she was afraid he would break it and hurt himself

“You didn’t come to the phone when I asked for you”

She shrugged while her grandfather watched theood time to talk on the phone,” she said

“All five tiaze lingered on her lips, searching, seeking

There were a thousand questions in that simple sentence and Pia couldn’t answer all of them in front of Gio, even if she had the answers

“I’ve been busy Studying I enrolled in a wood carving class in the village Also thank you so much for the new tools and the wood And the laptop And ifts,” she said lamely

He carefully put his wineglass down and folded his hands behind him “Do you?”

She hesitated at his combative expression “Yes”

“Tell him about the ht,” Gio urged “You’re seeing hiain, aren’t you?”

Like a hound scenting prey, Raphael walked past the table toward her “Who is this man?”

Pia glared at Gio Really, she didn’t understand Gio sos he could’ve mentioned to Raphael her non-date hat he told hiuy I met at the café”

“Is he a local? Does everyone at the café know you’re Giovanni’s granddaughter? Why didn’t Emilio tell me?”

“So E for you?”

“Emilio keeps an eye on Gio and now on you too”