Page 156 of Modern Romance January 2025 5-8

‘And not by chance,’ he said. ‘I would like to apologise...’

CHAPTER TWO

‘SUUU-ZEEE...’

Somehow Dante made her name sound sexy.

She’d known it was him before she’d even looked over, and her broken umbrella had felt easier to control than the flurry of butterflies escaping in her chest.

She gave him her best version of brisk as her umbrella snapped up into an imperfect shape. ‘We meet again,’ she said.

‘And not by chance.’

Oh, he was actually here to see her!

‘I would like to apologise.’

‘Apologise?’ Susie checked, so stunned to see him waiting for her that she forgot to be shy. ‘You mean for being rude earlier?’

‘Yes,’ he agreed, and she thought he almost smiled.

She’d heard of people taking your breath away, but he took more than that, and for a second she wasn’t capable of words, or even of walking off. She was choosing to prolong the encounter, only she did not know what to say.

He solved that with a question. ‘How’s the “cut” on your hand?’

‘Much better.’ She held up her unblemished palm, the plaster gone. ‘I heal quickly.’

‘You do.’ He nodded.

It was the oddest moment of her life. He was looking at her, and the conversation was pleasant, yet she actually recalled that moment where he’d touched her hand, and how his touch had made her heart seem to flutter in her throat.

It felt the same now.

He couldn’t have noticed, of course, for she just stood there, a little stunned at her own thoughts, as Dante spoke on.

‘I overreacted. Sev had called me and I was expecting...’ He gave a helpless shrug. ‘I don’t even know what I was expecting.’

‘I get it.’ She nodded. ‘It’s nice that you came to check on him.’

‘Always,’ he said. ‘I’ll stay for the weekend and try and sort a few things out for him. It’s kind of you to have helped. Also, we need to discuss money.’

‘We don’t.’ Susie flushed.

‘You’re English,’ he said. ‘So I know discussing money is painful for you.’

She laughed, just a little bit, but it was enough that she relaxed a little and could look him in the eye. ‘Seriously, there’s no need.’

Her lips pressed closed. She did not want to reveal the arrangement she had with Mimi.

‘You’re clearly doing more than just dropping off meals.’

‘I’m not.’

‘So you get the morning coffee ready for all your clients. Fill the sink? Move furniture?’

‘No,’ she admitted. ‘But I really don’t do much.’ She gave a small shake of her head. ‘I don’t think Gio would appreciate this conversation.’

‘Perhaps not, butIwould appreciate knowing what is going on.’ He relented a little. ‘I want to help him, too.’