Music filled the evening air and hundreds of glamorous, well-dressed people milled around. Cameras flashed as guests in their finery posed with happy smiles at the grand launch of Villa Dolce Vita.
While there was no doubt that the villa had been well and truly transformed, Annie kind of missed the old crumbling wreck it once was. She used to complain all the time about the state of the house while she was here, but realized now that being so rough around the edges was one of the things she actually loved most about it. Its imperfections were the hallmarks of its history.
Now it was glossy, gorgeous, and glamorous, much like Kim herself. She looked amazing tonight, dressed in a show-stopping pink-sequined gown that Annie was pretty certain was Dolce & Gabbana, her blonde hair up in a classic chignon, and her proud husband by her side.
A picture of success and the ultimate hostess, she was flitting happily from one person to another, while Annie stood alone on the terrace, champagne glass in hand, staring out into the darkness as she leaned against the railings, wondering why she’d come here in the first place.
Charlie was back at the Excelsior with the babysitter Kim had also very kindly arranged. He was having a ball and had spent the day splashing about in the pool with Lily, so she guessed he’d be wiped tonight.
It was no Dolce but Annie’s emerald green dress hugged every inch of her body, and she knew she looked good, standing up just as well to any of the stylish Italian socialites and celebrities at this party.
She’d worked hard to regain her figure after Charlie was born and religiously maintained all aspects of personal grooming as her business grew. She went to the gym every day and ate the best she could whenever possible. Tonight, her makeup was impeccable as, of course, was her hair. She looked amazing and she knew it. But she wasn’t entirely sure why she bothered.
It wasn’t like anyone was benefitting from it besides her.
“Stop kidding yourself, you know exactly why,” she murmured to herself, as she drained her drink and stared at the empty champagne flute with disgust.
Flagging a passing waiter, she dropped her empty glass on the tray he carried, and grabbed another.
Happy people, so many shiny, happy, self-congratulatory people. They were making her sick.
Earlier, she’d almost talked herself into not turning up tonight and staying away for everyone’s sake, but she’d already come all this way to Italy, back to the scene of the crime, as it were. There would be no avoiding it: the shit was about to hit the fan.
As she waited, biding her time, Annie occupied herself with drink after drink. Several guys tried to talk to her but she was having none of it. Men were her problem in the first place, always had been.
If her father hadn’t died then she could have had a normal, happy family life. If it hadn’t been for her stupid accountant, she wouldn’t now be on the verge of bankruptcy. If it hadn’t been for her addiction to men who never had any intention of offering her their hearts, she wouldn’t be alone now.
Charlie was the only man in her life who was any good for her, and the only one she needed.
So maybe she should forget about all this and just go now, back to the hotel and the son who needed her?
She’d done her duty, as such, by flying over here to support her old friend, and it wasn’t as though Kim would even notice her absence. Despite a plethora of last-minute hitches, her big night was turning out to be a glorious success and everything looked to be going like clockwork.
Annie shouldn’t even be thinking about trying to upset the apple cart and ruining it all.
She’d made her decision, and had started wobbling back up toward the house, fully intending to leave, when she saw him, standing idly beneath an olive tree and laughing with someone else, not a care in the world.
Annie sorely wanted to smash the glass in her hand directly into his face, but it wasn’t hers and she’d probably have to pay for it, and she couldn’t afford that.
“Can’t afford anything,” she muttered bitterly.
She made her way up the stone steps, the alcohol having taken its hold more than she expected.
She stumbled a little on the top step, going down on her ankle, and she was sure she was about to fall flat on her face, when out of nowhere a pair of strong arms caught and steadied her.
“It’s grand, I’m fine,” she slurred as she grabbed on to the front of her savior’s shirt and looked up at the sympathetic and all-too-familiar face.
She blinked rapidly.
“It has been a long time, Annie,” the Italian said by way of greeting.
“Not long enough, Luca.” She pushed away from him, but only managed to unbalance herself again in the process.
Once more his strong arms wound around Annie to keep her steady. “I think I better help you,” he suggested.
“I don’t want your help,” she spat. “Get your hands off me.”
“Annie?” Colette’s voice appeared out of nowhere then, and she turned to find her friend and her husband standing a few feet away, staring at them.
Great. From Colette’s point of view it probably looked like she was coming on to Luca. Annie moved away from him again, forcing herself to straighten up as she tried to fix her hair.
“You’re late,” she scolded, and slapped a smile on her face as she looked from Colette to Ed.
“Buonasera, Colette,” Luca greeted calmly, and the raw emotion in his voice made Annie’s attention immediately turn back to him.
His dark eyes were staring at Colette as if she were the most incredible thing he’d ever seen. Then she turned and looked at Ed. He was staring at her, too. Both of them still under her spell, even now, Annie realized sadly as she freed herself from Luca’s lingering arm and teetered across the courtyard.
“Wait, let me help you,” Colette said, once Annie had raised her from her obvious stupor.
Even through her champagne-fueled haze, Annie could tell that the sight of Luca had affected her friend. She was certain Ed wasn’t going to like that.
Sure enough, Colette’s husband hurried after her as she went to lead Annie back inside the villa.
One moment Annie was navigating treacherous cobblestones in her high heels, and the next she was being flanked by her friend and her friend’s husband.
“I’m fine on my own,” she complained, swatting them both away.
“I don’t think so,” Ed insisted, rather roughly tucking Annie’s arm into his, leading her inside and away from other guests while Colette followed.
“Better make sure Kim doesn’t see this,” he urged his wife. “I’m sure she’d be very upset to see someone making a scene.”
“Oh, yes,” Annie spat. “Of course Kim wouldn’t want anything ruining her perfect night. Perfect husband, perfect child, perfect life...”
Annie’s raised voice was now drawing the attention of some guests nearby. Colette was quick to urge Ed on while she went back to perform damage control.
Same old Colette, always trying to fix things.
Annie glanced sideways at Ed. She hadn’t planned on him seeing her like this.
She was a mess and she knew it. A drunk, raving mess, and she couldn’t be sure what she would or wouldn’t say under the circumstances. She needed to get away from him.
“What are you doing?” he questioned through gritted teeth. “You said you wouldn’t be here.”
“And why shouldn’t I be here?” she shot back. “These are my friends.”
“You know why. And causing trouble won’t help.”
“I’m not a troublemaker,” Annie slurred, insulted, as Ed ushered her into what was once the old dark living room toward the rear, but was now a refurbished relaxation area. She slumped into the nearest chair.
Her head was spinning and the ground was wobbling beneath her. She did not feel good.
Ed sat down in the chair across from her. “What the hell were you thinking, Annie?”
“I don’t know!” she cried. “Why wouldn’t you help me? I’ve never asked for anything in my life, Ed. And I wouldn’t have now either, unless I really needed it.”
“I told you, the timing isn’t good. I’ve got some problems of my own, you know.”
“No, I don’t know. How would I? I’m not your wife. Anyway, I don’t care about your problems, just as you never cared about mine. But now, for Charlie’s sake, I need you to care. My business is going under,” she admitted in a small voice. “My accountant stole everything I have. He stole from my company and left me with months of bills outstanding, and I barely have enough to keep a roof over my head, let alone pay the people I owe. He took everything.” She turned to look at him. “You told me once that I could call on you if ever I needed anything. And when I finally do, you tell me to get lost. How do you think that feels?”
“I’m sorry. Like I said, you caught me at a bad time.” He looked at her. “Has anything been done to catch this guy?”
“I’ve tried. But he’s disappeared.” She sniffed, surprised at the unexpected concern in his voice. “Honestly, I would never have asked if I wasn’t desperate.”
Ed moved closer. “It’s all right, Annie. I’ll help you. I know people who deal with this sort of thing. I’ll make a few calls on Monday. We won’t let him get away with this,” he comforted. “I’ll make sure he’s brought to justice, and whatever help you need, I assure you that you’ll get it. I’m sorry, you just...caught me off guard the other day.”
He was going to help? He was going to take care of her and Charlie? Annie’s tears began to flow freely now.
“Thank you,” she said, relief flooding through her, as she felt a tiny inkling of hope for the first time since this all started. She was right to come here after all. She knew that if she got the opportunity to talk to him face-to-face, let him know how truly desperate she was, he would understand.
And he had.
Thank God, thank God...
Impulsively, she jumped up and launched herself at him, flinging her arms around his neck.
She wouldn’t be on her own. Ed had promised he’d be there for his son if ever Annie needed him, and now he was making good on that promise.
Seems she’d misjudged him after all.