EVERYONE WAS HAPPY.
Too happy. And that made him worry.
His grandmother sat across from Roberto at the table in her suite. They’d just finished a light breakfast. And he had yet to learn why he’d been summoned.
His grandmother held up the teapot. “Would you care for some?”
He shook his head before checking the time. He was supposed to meet Stasia soon for another excursion and he didn’t want to be late.
“I can see that I’m keeping you,” his grandmother said. “So I’ll get to the point. I owe you an apology.”
He sent her a puzzled look. “No, you don’t.”
“But I do. When you first told me about Stasia, I didn’t believe you. I thought you were dodging my attempts at matchmaking, which your grandfather said would never work. But I watched both you and Stasia over the course of the cruise. I’ve seen the way you look at each other and the way your face lights up when she’s around. I’ve never seen you happier. And I’m sorry I doubted your love for Stasia. You obviously didn’t need my help after all.”
Roberto sat there taking in his grandmother’s words. She was a wise woman. Had she seen something he’d missed? Was it possible he was falling in love with Stasia?
“Don’t let me keep you any longer. I’m sure you’re anxious to get to Stasia.”
It was true. He was anxious to see her. But did that equate to love?
He hugged his grandmother and left. All the while he wondered how he had let things get so far out of control. He replayed every moment they’d spent in Venice from her birthday to the engagement to dancing with Stasia at his cousin’s wedding. He knew he’d never ever visit that city without thinking of her. From this point forward, they were indelibly entwined.
Venice had changed everything for them. First, there had been the photo—the romantic photo—that had led to the kiss. He could still clearly recall the tenderness of Stasia’s lips pressed to his. His blood warmed at the memory of her curves pressed up against him.
She’d felt so right, there in his arms. And then as she’d opened herself up to him, it was all he could do to hang on to some semblance of reality.
How exactly had he gone from showing her the sights to giving her his grandmother’s ring?
He knew he’d gone a little over the top for her birthday, but there was just something about that day that had him acting out of character, or maybe he should say that he was in character as the besotted lover. He wanted to blame it on the prosecco, but he knew that wasn’t the case.
And ever since, they’d fallen into a comfortable companionship that included clasped hands, warm smiles and a mounting number of kisses. But where was it leading? Where did he want it to go?
The walls started closing in on him. He made his way down the passageway, not paying much attention to his surroundings or the people he passed. He kept moving up the steps, through the doorway and across the deck until he was at the rail. He stared out at the water.
He inhaled the sea air, wishing it would clear his thoughts. But thoughts of their three days in Venice kept replaying in his mind. He should have called a halt to this relationship a long time ago.
And then at the wedding, it was like it had made their engagement official. For all intents and purposes, it was—at least as far as his family was concerned—
Ding.
It was a text message. Roberto was tempted to ignore it, but he knew he was expected to accompany Stasia along with his family into Sibenik today. He wasn’t in any frame of mind to put on a show for everyone.
The question he couldn’t answer was what exactly did he feel for Stasia? When they departed the boat back in Athens, they’d each go back to their life as though none of this had happened. Wouldn’t they?
Ding.
He removed his phone from his pocket and glanced at the screen. It was Stasia.
Where are you?
I’ve changed my mind. I’m not going.
Then neither am I.
Go ahead. Enjoy yourself. I’ve got work to do.
I’d rather stay with you. I could help.
Go with the family. They adore you. I’ll see you later.
Silence. Then he sent another message.
We okay?
Sure.
Roberto slipped his phone back in his pocket. He started walking. He had no particular destination in mind. Maybe some physical activity would help wear away his frustration.
Time passed slowly. For all of the walking he was doing, he should have gone with Stasia into the city. But he told himself the distance was for the best. Being together day in and day out was confusing things, making this little fantasy they’d concocted seem like reality instead of fiction.
Later, he’d have a talk with Stasia. He’d reaffirm that this thing between them—it couldn’t last. There was no way. He was a sworn bachelor. And she was a widow still mourning her husband. And then there was Xander, who would not be pleased about any of this. Definitely too many hurdles for them to cross.
“Roberto?”
He stopped walking and glanced around, not sure who’d called his name. And then he spotted a young woman waving at him. She looked slightly familiar, but he couldn’t put a name to the face.
She rushed up to him. “Alone at last.”
He wasn’t sure what to say to that, so he pretended he hadn’t heard her. “Do we know each other?”
She smiled at him. “It has been a number of years, but we used to see each other when I visited my grandparents.”
He studied her for a moment. Upon closer look, she did look familiar. It took a moment, but then it came to him. “Little Petra?”
Her smile broadened. “Not so little anymore.”
They hugged. It seemed like forever since he’d recalled those days. Petra’s grandparents used to live down the road from his. A lot had changed since those days, but so much had stayed the same. It was funny how life worked out.
“Did my grandmother invite you on this cruise?” When she nodded, he continued. “I’m so sorry. She had no right to do that.”
Petra shook it off. “It’s no big deal. I needed the vacation. But it sounds like you were holding out on your grandmother. I hear congratulations are in order.”
“Um...thanks.”
She arched a brow. “That doesn’t sound very excited.”
Petra had been cool to hang out with when they were kids. She always seemed to have her life together and there wasn’t any argument she couldn’t win. It only seemed natural she would become a litigator. His grandmother had made sure to keep him up to date on Petra’s accomplishments and the fact that she was still available.
“I should be going,” he said. “It was good to see you again.”
When he started to walk away, she reached out to him. “Wait. That’s it. You’re just going to leave?”
He turned to her. She was still the spitfire he remembered. “Listen, Petra, I have a lot on my mind.”
“Let’s grab some lunch, and if you want, you can talk to me. I’m a pretty good listener.”
He wasn’t sure about opening up to Petra, especially about Stasia, but the thought of sharing a meal and reliving some memories appealed to him. What could it hurt?
What was up with Roberto?
Why had he insisted she go on this day trip while he remained on the ship?
The questions whirled around in Stasia’s mind as she walked with Roberto’s family to the center of Sibenik. The city had that historic village feel, with monuments representing the past and architecture that had definitely been around for quite a while. There was lots to see and learn, but Stasia was having problems concentrating on what the tour guide was saying. And so she finally bowed out of the group, claiming a headache, which wasn’t far from the truth.
As she made her way back to the boat, she tried to figure out what to say to Roberto. Everything had been fine until they became engaged. With each passing day, it was becoming increasingly complicated.
Obviously Roberto had second thoughts about things—about her. After all, she did come with baggage. She was pretty certain none of the other women he’d dated had been widows.
But the thought of him backing out of her life after all they’d shared was unacceptable. She liked Roberto—really liked him. And she thought he really liked her too.
Maybe things had gotten off track. Maybe he was confused about the kiss at the wedding as much as her. If they talked, they could work things out. She was certain of it.
She went straight to his cabin and knocked on the door. “Roberto, it’s me, Stasia.”
No answer.
She knocked again but didn’t hear a word.
That was strange. She thought he’d been in his room working, but then again, it was a beautiful sunny day. Perhaps he’d decided to move to the deck. So off she went to find him.
She pulled out her phone and texted him.
Am back. Where are U?
There was no response. That was odd.
She kept walking and looking around. Surely he wouldn’t have gone ashore, would he? No. He was very determined to unravel the mystery of those files that his grandfather had given him. He had to be here somewhere—
And then she spotted him. He was smiling. He was laughing.
Her gaze moved across the table at the café to a beautiful woman who was laughing too. And then the woman reached out to Roberto, covering his hand with her own. The breath stilled in Stasia’s throat. What in the world was going on?
Roberto didn’t pull away. Instead he leaned toward the young woman and said something that Stasia couldn’t hear from this distance. He continued to smile and stare into this woman’s eyes.
Something cold and dark churned in the pit of Stasia’s stomach. Her body tensed and her hands clenched. This was why he’d blown her off today?
Why did she think he had changed? He was the same playboy bachelor he’d always been. Playing her besotted fiancé must be killing him with all these single beautiful women on board.
Not wanting to get caught staring at the happy couple, she turned on her heels and headed for her cabin. If he was already moving on from the moment they’d shared, then she needed to do the same. She had a career to settle on—a reason to get out of bed every morning—something to fill the emptiness in her life.
And Roberto obviously had nothing to do with her future.