Colette was nervous. Luca said he hadn’t been in touch because he’d been called away on business.
But things had definitely changed. Since that night on the boat, she’d started to have serious doubts about whether he was interested in her or, like Annie said, he was playing her.
She’d listened to her friends and their words of caution hadn’t been lost on her.
Kim advised her to let instinct guide her decision-making. If Luca wanted a relationship beyond Colette’s time here then he’d make that clear. Then it would be up to her to decide if it was what she wanted. Kim also reminded her that there was an ocean between them and those weren’t easy hurdles to overcome.
And then there was Ed. In his last text he had straight out asked to meet up soon for coffee.
There’s this great little café I found, very traditional, brimming with locals—I think you’d love it.
Colette was intrigued. Ed was so charming and funny that time in Sorrento—the opportunity to chat some more with him would be lovely. She was sure whatever this place he was talking about would be right up her street, too, but to be fair while friendship was all he seemed to want, it still felt wrong to take him up on the offer.
I appreciate the invite, thank you—but I’m kind of already seeing someone...
He responded immediately:
Oh, I’m so sorry, I can see how the invite might have come across. I wouldn’t want to step on any toes. I meant merely as friends. And compatriots, of course. :)
I’m a bit busy this week, she hedged, unsurely. I’ll let you know...
Colette wished she had Kim’s wisdom and Annie’s street-smarts, especially when it came to matters of the heart. The problem was that her heart was her guiding force.
She couldn’t deny that she was happy Luca had called to the villa today, asking her to come for a drive.
He hadn’t abandoned her, lost interest in her because he’d got what he wanted, or whatever Annie had been trying to suggest.
He’d also told her to bring a swimming costume, and she wondered if they were going out on the boat again. The thought of a repeat of that wonderful night under the stars filled her with an all-too-familiar desire, and she knew that no matter what—if any—intentions Luca might have beyond this trip, she was already caught in whatever web he had already spun around her.
When Luca’s car eventually arrived at Fiordo di Furore, a tiny beach situated low beneath an ornate arched bridge, Colette had at first been a little disappointed that it wasn’t the boat. But all too soon she became completely taken by the picturesque spot and aquamarine waters of the fiord.
“Is this it?” she asked from the bridge, steeling herself for the inevitable trek down another of Italy’s endless stepped walkways to access the beach.
He chuckled. “It’s one of the best places to swim. And also not so many tourists are willing to make the thousand-step descent.”
Thousand steps? Colette’s eyes widened.
Luca retrieved a basket and umbrella from the back of the car and soon they were on their way.
Eventually, they descended onto the pebbly beach and found an intimate spot at the far end, where Luca set up a beach umbrella and towels.
“You brought your swimming costume?” he asked and she nodded. She was wearing the one-piece under her summer dress.
Before she knew it, he was stripping and Colette gulped, trying hard not to stare. Few men in their swimwear looked like Luca did in his, and possibly even fewer without.
Folding her dress tidily on the blanket, she followed him into the water. He kept backing in while she walked toward him.
“Shouldn’t you turn around?” she laughed. “How will you know where you’re going?”
He winked. “I prefer this view.”
The water deepened and soon they were both treading hard to keep their heads above it. Luca pulled Colette close and held her in his arms. The sudden action caused her to laugh and she wrapped her arms around his neck.
“I am so glad to be back,” he said. “I missed you.”
Colette searched his eyes. Did he really? He looked back at her, the depths searching hers.
“You do not believe me.”
“No,” she replied, sighing. “It’s not that.”
“Yes, it is. I can see it,” Luca answered. “What troubles you, my Colette?”
His Colette? She wanted to be.
They bobbed in the water, and Luca picked up her legs and wrapped them around his waist as he supported them both.
“Tell me.”
She swallowed the lump in her throat at his question. If she wanted the truth there was no better way to get it than to ask. And no better time than the present.
“That night on the boat, the phone call. You were very secretive about it.”
His brow wrinkled. “Secretive? I think I was just annoyed. You know how much I hate those things. I wish they had never been invented, and that Mr. Jobs had stayed working in his garage,” he added lightheartedly.
But Colette wasn’t to be dissuaded by humor. “Who was it?” she asked, surprised at her own insistence. But she needed to know. “On the end of the line that night.”
Luca shrugged. “My father. He and I... Let’s just say we do not bring out the best in each other.”
She let out the breath she didn’t know she’d been holding. She believed him. It wasn’t another woman or something he was trying to hide, like Annie had suggested.
He’d already told her that he worked in his father’s business more out of duty than anything else. So if the two men clashed, it made sense that a phone call interrupting a personal moment would put Luca out of sorts.
“I’m still confused, though,” she admitted. “When I’m with you I feel amazing. Then when you were gone and I didn’t hear from you, I wondered what was happening. I still don’t know why you’re interested in me. What it is that you want.”
Luca looked at her thoughtfully. “Is that all?”
“No,” Colette admitted, deciding to be honest. “I want to know what we are. What is this thing between us?” she questioned. “Is it just a summer fling, or something more?”
“Summer flings can be wonderful,” he mused. He grinned from ear-to-ear until he saw the expression on Colette’s face.
“Is that what I am to you?”
His expression immediately became apologetic. “I was just making a joke. You want to know what you are to me. You want to know if there is more than just the time you have left here in Italy.”
“I want the truth, yes.”
“Well, I cannot tell you for certain.” Her face fell at his words. He shrugged. “I do not know what tomorrow will bring,” he continued. “I cannot say what will be with any certainty, but I can say what I hope will be.”
“What does that mean?” she asked, her voice testy. He was maddeningly obtuse.
He smiled. “Not right now, OK? There is much going on in my life right now. Today is just a day to enjoy the sun and each other.” He pulled her closer and whispered in her ear. “I will not play with your emotions. I would not be so cruel. I promise I will answer you, just not now. Now, I just want to be here—with you in my arms.”
“That’s not fair. Why should I wait around for you to make a decision, to tell me what’s really going on?”
“I do not intend to tell you, my Colette. I plan to show you. Before you leave here, I will make all the arrangements, and soon, you will know. I hope to know also.”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean—you are having summer fun right now. When you leave next week, it is over. Italy is gone. But I will still be here. You think you are the only one who wants to know what tomorrow brings for us? I do also. But first, I want you to know your heart. Then, I will show you what is in mine.”
“I think I already know what’s in mine,” she admitted softly.
“Then we have no problem,” he replied with a smile, kissing her on the nose.
Colette rested her head on his shoulder.
She just hoped that what they both wanted was the same thing.