Page 194 of Modern Romance January 2025 5-8

Perhaps he could break another rule? He wasn’t one for gifts, or romantic gestures, and certainly gave nothing as personal as jewellery. But he and Susie had got personal, and even if it could never last this weekend had meant a lot.

He’d heard the edge in her voice as she’d asked about the gifts he gave, about how he would end things.

Nicely.

Nicer than he’d ever been, perhaps?

‘Do you have magnolias?’

‘I don’t.’

‘Anything similar?’

‘No...’ The jeweller shook his head. ‘These two are bespoke pieces—they are being collected this week. They are certainly not impulse purchases,’ he scolded lightly. ‘They take weeks to make. First a design is decided on, then the mould is cast...’

‘So, not for me then?’ Dante got the message and gave a wry laugh. ‘I was just...’ He didn’t know quite what he’d been thinking, but then he smiled and looked up as Gio came out. ‘Okay?’

‘Yes.’ Gio nodded and came over to thank Signor Adino profusely.

‘So,’ Dante said as they walked back to Gio’s. ‘What did you choose?’

‘That is for Mimi to reveal,’ Gio retorted. ‘I haven’t even asked her to marry me yet. Haven’t I taught you anything?’

Dante saw him back to his house, and then his grandfather said he was going for a sleep.

‘You no doubt have a flight to catch,’ Gio said as he farewelled him. ‘Thank you for taking the day off today.’

‘Any time,’ Dante said. ‘Well, not any time,’ he warned as he kissed Gio goodbye. ‘No getting married too soon; I have a case coming up...’

‘I know you do.’

Gio certainly looked happier than when he’d arrived, Dante thought as he walked along the walls in the direction of home.

At times he had felt happy too.

But he knew he couldn’t stay in bed with Susie for ever.

He sat on a bench and thought of how their conversations had started to deepen.

He’d wanted to know more about her.

And yet...

It was still hell to be here.

He thought of all those jewels splayed out on the velvet, and his grandfather thinking him cold because he could barely bring himself to look at them.

Susie was right. Old memories tainted the future.

Perhaps he would suggest she come to Milan this weekend?

He thought of her busy schedule, and the scant direct flights.

Then he closed his eyes in despair as he realised Gio had been right to doubt he was over the accident.

Dante got on and off helicopters with little thought. He just accepted that he had to, and took the risk...

But he could not stand the thought of Susie up in one.