Page 205 of Modern Romance January 2025 5-8

He didn’t want anyone.

But even as the water cleansed him he felt contaminated—as if he brought nothing but despair into the lives of everyone who had ever mattered.

Susie knew she’d handled things badly.

As Dante showered she lay there for a while, knowing damn well that she’d been busy comparing their weekend of passion with what had happened between him and Rosa. And when he’d disparaged Rosa’s family winery, she’d flinched. Not so much at what he’d said, more out of dread that one day she’d be similarly relegated to the past...a little footnote he referred to with derision because she’d been stupid enough to bare her heart.

She’d been shocked at first...worried that he’d been having an affair while Sev and Rosa were married. And when the relief of getting it wrong had hit her she’d been too involved in her own tumbled feelings to really listen to Dante, let alone say the right thing.

Now, as he came out of the shower, she just hoped it wasn’t too late.

‘Dante...’

‘Let’s leave it, hey?’ His suggestion was kind. ‘My car will be here soon. I don’t want you leaving here upset.’

He said it nicely, but the implication was that it might be better for her to get dressed.

‘I’ve thought about it,’ Susie said. ‘While you were in the shower.’

He shot her a slightly incredulous look. ‘Oh? So do you have a solution?’ He buttoned his shirt. ‘I’ve been considering it for more than a decade.’

‘Dante, please...’ She felt like a plane that had been going round and around, attempting to land for a second time, only the conditions on the ground hadn’t really improved. ‘I think you should try telling Sev. It’s been so many years. You’ve both lost so much. Could you write to him?’ she suggested. ‘Like your client did to his wife?’

‘I am going to be dealing with the fallout of that letter today.’ He looked at her then, and actually smiled. ‘I’ve tried, believe me, but I can get never get past the first line...“Dear Sev, sorry if this comes as a surprise...”’

‘He’s your brother, though, and from everything I’ve heard you were once so close...’ Her voice trailed off as he glanced out of the window.

‘The car’s here,’ he told her. ‘I can drop you off.’

Susie didn’t want to get dressed, but she did.

She didn’t want to leave, but she could hardly chain herself to the bed.

And she did not want to cry, but she felt very much as if she might.

‘Hey...’ Dante did not want it to end like this, and he took her in his arms. ‘I shouldn’t have told you.’

‘I’m glad you did,’ she told him.

‘No, you’re not,’ he said gently.

He could see the doubt swirling in her eyes, feel the ache in her to fix something that was broken beyond repair.

And it was.

Of that he was certain.

But even if his car was waiting, and even if he might well miss his plane, Dante chose to take the time to let Susie see just how impossible things were for him and Sev.

‘Will you answer me something honestly?’ Dante asked.

Susie gave a nervous laugh, a little worried as to what he might ask. ‘Am I on the witness stand?’

‘You are,’ he said, and took her face in his hands.

It was just nice to be teased a little as they faced the difficult topic.

‘We’ve had a good time,’ he said. ‘Agreed?’