Page 219 of Modern Romance January 2025 5-8

She understood why Mimi hadn’t said anything; it was clearly a very intimate affair. What hurt was the fact that Dante had known he’d be in Lucca and hadn’t even thought to call.

Clearly she wasnothing.

‘Susie?’ He caught her wrist. ‘I had no idea you’d be here.’

The first time he’d held her arm her skin had prickled with goosebumps, perhaps unsure how to react to a delicious stranger. Now, though, her body knew the pleasures his touch was capable of, and it flared in reaction. She looked up to those dark eyes, and down to the full, sensual mouth that she’d missed so much, and almost stepped forward to kiss him.

No!

She wasn’t going to be caught kissing Dante in the butler’s kitchen. He couldn’t just pick up where he’d left off.

‘I’m at work, Dante.’ She wrenched her arm away and stepped back.

‘I was just attempting to explain...’

He stopped when Mimi burst into the kitchen.

‘Susie!’ Mimi pulled her into a hug. ‘I wasdesperateto tell you.’ She held out her hand. ‘But I knew if we told a soul...’

Dante left them, and Susie examined Mimi’s stunning ring—reds, violets, greens, encircled with diamonds.

‘It’s a rare black opal,’ Mimi said. ‘Gio says it is for the colour I bring to his life.’

It was a very long, very gorgeous lunch, and thankfully the happy couple were so besotted they didn’t seem to notice the strain between the two brothers—or perhaps they were used to it by now.

The speeches were short and informal.

‘Mimi, you have brought so much happiness to Gio...’ Sev smiled at his new step-grandmother, then looked at his grandfather. ‘Gio, you deserve every happiness.’

‘You do too,’ Gio said, dabbing his eyes.

It was far from effusive, yet Susie could feel the love in the room, and she found she was holding her breath as Dante stood to make his toast.

‘Mimi...’ he said. ‘It is wonderful to share in this day, to know you are now part of our family.’ He looked to his grandfather. ‘And Gio...’

He paused.

He really paused, and Susie felt her throat squeeze tight.

‘We love you...’

Gio nodded. ‘I love you boys too.’

The music recommenced, and Susie headed back to the main kitchen to take out the cake. She nodded when Pedro suggested she take a break.

‘There’s some lunch for you in the kitchen.’

Susie didn’t fancy it, though, and just took a couple ofaranciniballs in a napkin.

‘I might just go out to the garden,’ she told him.

‘Go through the side entrance,’ he said, and nodded.

She slipped out and walked under the portico. It was a lovely chilly day, and it was nice to be cold for a moment, and to let a tear slip out. But she hastily wiped it away when she saw Dante had come out too.

‘There you are...’ He stood over her. ‘Gio said you were working in the kitchen now. Congratulations.’

‘Thanks, although I’m waitressing today—oh, and tonight.’ She looked up, took in his lovely suit. She had sort of known he’d come out—or rather she’d hoped he might. ‘How’s your client? The one with the letter?’