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‘Then ill order him a couple of Roberto’s pizzas They deliver, don’t they?’ She recalled Sergio ordering pizzas the first night she was here

‘Sì’

‘Wonderful And whilst I’et some of those decadent pastries he likes What do you think, Maria?’

‘I think you love Sergio very much’

Bella sighed heavily ‘I do, Maria I really do But I’m not sure he loves me back’

‘Oh, pah Of course he loves you back Sergio, he has always loved you Ever since you were children’

‘What?’ Bella just stared at Maria ‘What do you mean?’

‘What you mean what I mean? It is clear, is it not?’

‘Not to me’

Maria shrugged ‘You are blind, like Sergio He loves you, and soon he will see that Then he will ask you to marry him’

Bella could not have been more astonished ‘You honestly think so?’

Maria looked offended ‘I do not tell lies Only the truth’

‘Oh, Maria, I do so hope you’re right I think I will die if he doesn’t love me back’

Maria rolled her eyes ‘And they say Italians women are drama queens’

Bella laughed ‘Oh, you are funny Now I guess I’d better go get myself showered and dressed I have work to do’

By lunchtie with a lovely gift for Sergio, a not-too-mushy birthday card and far too many pastries But they’d all looked so delicious she simply hadn’t been able to choose She found Maria happily hue layered cake already cooked but not yet filled and iced

‘So what present did you buy?’ Maria asked her straight away

‘A very expensive cologne’ It was from Paris, of course And was aptly named Seduction