“Do you love him?”
“I did,” Julia admitted out loud for the first time. “I loved his family, too. When I stayed with them in Tuscany, they made me feel like I was so welcome. And Daniel and I had such good dates. There were dinners, and wine, and fireflies in the dark, and dancing. Lots of talking. I thought—maybe there were some feelings between us.”
“Was it sex or was it love?” Alessandra’s face reflected pity.
“I believed it was love, but I was wrong.” Julia sighed. “I was sure he’d tell me he loved me, right up until I heard him talking to his mom about how the only reason he ever invited me to stay was because he wanted my dog for his niece. That’s it. So I left.”
“That’s it?” Alessandra raised her brows.
“Yep.”
“Wait, you left because you heard him say something to his mother you didn’t like?” Alessandra rolled her eyes.
“Yes. He said he didn’t care about me, to his mom. He used me for my dog. Do you understand?” Julia wasn’t sure why her sister didn’t share her anger.
“But it’s not so bad. Do you know how things are between him and his mother? Maybe they don’t like each other and he didn’t mean what he said. Maybe it wasn’t about your dog.”
“What?” Doubt crept into Julia’s mind.
“What did your heart tell you when you were with him? When I was with Antonio, I always guessed he was cheating. What about you and this Daniel?”
Julia’s heart beat wildly. “When I was with him, I felt he loved me.”
“There’s your answer.” Alessandra nodded. “He loves you, not your dog. Don’t think about what he said to his mother. Nonsense.”
Julia sat back in her chair. Did she make a mistake? She felt color drain out of her face. “I’m impulsive. I probably messed this up. I shouldn’t have run out on him. I should’ve given him a chance to explain. But I was so sure I was doing the right thing, when I was leaving.”
“You were angry. Don’t worry. If he loves you, he’ll find you again.” Alessandra rubbed her shoulders. And he’ll say ‘Sei la mia anima gemella.’ You are my soulmate.”
“This isn’t a ’90s rom com,” Julia whispered.
“A what?”
“Like an over-the-top romance where the guy will come running after me with some dramatic love gesture.”
“Well, I know exactly how you feel about making mistakes with men, sister,” Alessandra said.
“It’s nice to have someone understand.” Julia touched her sister’s fingers.
Alessandra got up. “Let’s get to bed and get an early start tomorrow. Maybe we have better luck finding your father than getting us men.”
“What are you going to do about Antonio?”
“Murder him when he comes here tomorrow morning.” Alessandro sighed. “I’m sorry, but we can’t stay here longer. It’s Antonio’s friend. You understand?”
“Of course. I won’t even unpack.” Julia washed out the wine glasses.
“We have a partner hotel in Positano. I will get us a beautiful suite, don’t worry.”
“That’s not what I’m worried about. What if we leave very early tomorrow, so you don’t have to deal with Antonio?”
“But that’s not how I do things. I don’t run away. I will finish it between us. How else will I get another fiancé?” She laughed, but Julia could tell there was pain in her voice.
“Do you want me to stay in your room?” Julia asked. “You can cry to me all night.”
“Please. But I have a better idea instead of crying. We stay up all night and you tell me stories of Texas and I tell you stories of our Mamma. It’s just the two of us now,” Alessandra said, stroking Julia’s hair.
Chapter 32
Daniel had lost them by the time he arrived in Napoli, hours later, almost breathless after driving with speed he was certain would get him arrested. He spent two more tense hours eating pizza in a dodgy area of town. He was sure they weren’t anywhere near him. He kept refreshing his phone, but no new posts. Another slice, and he got back in the car, convinced it was a waste of time to wait in Napoli.
If she was still with her Italian sister—Alessandra Tramazere—per her Instagram, they had to be heading farther south. There was no reason for Julia to go to Napoli. Maybe Pompeii, although he didn’t detect any particular interest in Italian history or architecture from her. Julia was full of life and had never been anywhere. She loved people and excitement, food and cooking. No, not Pompeii, that city was all about death and ashes.
Julia would head farther south, for the Amalfi Coast—that had to be it. Two beautiful women—he shook his head—Positano was exactly where two single women would go. He pressed his foot harder on the Audi’s gas pedal. He should’ve flown. Why ever did he think driving was the best idea? He could imagine it in his jealous mind now—the two of them, on the Marina Grande Beach, in white bikinis, surrounded by men bringing them food and drinks. Or worse yet, on someone’s yacht by now. Julia wouldn’t know any better. Eastern Europeans all over her. Bloody hell!
It was almost midnight when he reached Positano, barreling his car down the winding main streets and through the crowds. It was just as wild as he remembered from the last time he was here, for a stag party years ago. He checked into the first hotel he found and searched Instagram again. Still nothing.
Daniel was certain they were somewhere on the Amalfi Coast. He felt her presence near, an invisible string connecting them. His lovesick heart beat with the hope of seeing her any minute, smiling at him and forgiving him for what he had done, had said, even thought.
He walked through the streets, looking at every dark-haired girl he saw, but he grew desperate as she was nowhere to be found among the partying crowds. Soon, he was exhausted, sweaty, angry, and—desperate.
Perhaps it was best for Julia not to see him in this condition, he realized. But then, he would never forgive himself if he somehow missed his chance to apologize to her.
The more he walked, the more doubt settled in his mind. Was it all an illusion, what happened between them? Perhaps he had been mistaken to think there were feelings there. It seemed so clear when they were together in Tuscany, in bed, her face so close to his, her eyes so kind, so loving. Was it all just sex? Not, not possible. He wasn’t that good in bed.
Daniel checked through several of the nightclubs, then got himself invited to a yacht party. He asked every drunk Eastern European if they’d seen her and showed them the Instagram pictures. He got only confused looks as answers. He drank a few cocktails himself and nearly fell off the boat when he missed a step.
After stumbling all the way to his hotel, he fell onto his bed, feeling pathetic but resolved to try again tomorrow. He couldn’t allow Julia to leave the country thinking he didn’t care for her, believing it had all been about the dog. It didn’t matter if she loved him or not, but Julia must know that he wanted her in his life, that it wasn’t all a lie to him. What a strange feeling it was—to want someone when he woke up, to look for her wherever he went, to wish to share every experience with her.
****
As the sun beamed into his hotel room window, Daniel woke strangely refreshed, despite his night of drinking and searching. He felt happy and couldn’t understand why, given that Julia was still missing and mad at him. It was another hot sunny day on the coast, as any day in the south of Italy would be, but he welcomed it. It would be much easier to find her at the beach than in the dark in crowded nightclubs and restaurants.
The Instagram pictures began to appear again by midmorning. He was wrong last night. She wasn’t in Positano. But he was correct that she was near. Julia had spent last night in Sorrento, only less than an hour away, and she was now on the Amalfi highway, on her way to Positano, just as he’d predicted. He showered, shaved, and waited in a bar at the bottom of the hill where cars had to pass as they arrived in town.
Waiting drove him insane—Daniel had never been a patient person. He popped into a flower shop near
by—a ridiculous notion, a flower shop in Positano, when the entire village was practically made out of flowers—and bought her a bouquet made of white roses like the ones she liked so much on his estate. Then he sat back down, waiting some more, tapping his fingers on the table.
The car whizzed by him so fast he had no time to react. Daniel had expected the sisters to drive slowly, looking around, admiring the sights, taking photos. He ran behind them, almost forgetting to pay his bar bill.
He returned and left a stack of euros, hurrying after the car, then stopped himself.
What exactly was his plan? Drop on his knees and beg for forgiveness with a white rose bouquet? Make a spectacle of himself and hope this worked?
Daniel sat down on the stone steps leading to a hotel nearby. He needed a solid plan now that she was here. He tried to remember what she’d looked like as they passed by, but he had hardly caught a glimpse. He gave the flowers to the old lady selling lemonade, who smiled, grateful, and gave him a cup of the cold, sour concoction. The drink was much needed. He started to sweat with the nerves and the heat.
Pondering his plan, he walked in the general direction they’d disappeared until he found the car. A white Audi convertible. A proper car to take to Positano; her sister had good taste in cars. Daniel hid behind the flower hedges, hoping not to be noticed until he had a solid plan.
The sisters walked up the hill from the car park, and he followed them through the town, going up and down through the side streets, obviously searching for something. Curiosity piqued, he decided to wait before he approached them. It occurred to him that he was best off trying to catch Julia’s sister and talk her into helping him. Alessandra must know about him, and she must know the best way for him to make things right. If he did this on his own, he would botch it, most certainly. And he couldn’t take a chance on that.
The women continued their trip, finally proceeding up a spiraling staircase to a second-story shop but returning with disappointment on their faces. After some discussion, they headed down a street with several restaurants. It took an eternity for them to look at the menus and finally settle on a restaurant and sit down. Another eternity until Julia stepped away from the table and her sister was finally alone. He ran over instantly and kneeled by Alessandra’s table, hoping he had more than a minute.
“You are Julia’s sister, is that right?”
“Who are you?” Alessandra looked at him with narrowed eyes, a fork in her hands.
He put his palm in front of his face, just in case. “Daniel Stafford. Julia and I have been dating. We had a misunderstanding, and she is quite angry with me. I’d like a chance to apologize, but I need your help. Please?”
“Oh, that’s who you are.” Alessandra leaned away from him. “How did you find us?”
“I don’t have time to explain. Will you help me? Please?”
“I can’t promise that.” She shook her head. “I don’t know you. And I think my sister doesn’t need you.”
“Meet me in a few minutes outside, and we can talk more? Tell her you need to buy something at that farmacia.” He pointed.
“I will think about it,” she said.
Daniel moved away before Julia returned. He ran across the street to the chemist’s and paced in the sunscreen aisle, hoping Julia’s sister believed him enough to come meet him. She seemed to know exactly who he was. Made him wonder what Julia had said to her about him.
“So, Daniel Stafford, what are your plans?” Alessandra appeared suddenly in front of him.
“I’m not sure. That’s why I need your help.” He took her hands, begging.
“How did you know who I was?” Alessandra asked, pulling him away from the windows where they could be seen from the outside.
“My sister found your Instagram.” He ran his hand through hair. He sounded so much like a stalker. But there was little time to explain.
The woman didn’t seem disgusted or frightened. Alessandra merely raised her brows and nodded. “So you break my sister’s heart and want to fix it but don’t know how.” Her lips stretched into a smile, and her chest shook.
Well, Daniel was willing to tolerate laughter, just not disgust. “Exactly,” he said, not sure whether to be relieved yet.
“Apology is a good start. I think she’ll forgive you.”
“But that’s so simple.”
“Simple is the best way sometimes.” She shrugged.
“Why are you here in Positano? I understood she searched for her mum in Lake Garda.”
“Our mother died a year ago, but Julia didn’t know. We’re here looking for her father, Nico,” Alessandra explained.
“Poor Julia,” Daniel said. “She must’ve been devastated. How is she?” he asked, pacing with worry.
“She was okay, but now we can’t find her father. He was supposed to be in Sorrento, but his neighbors said he was selling art here in Positano. Then we get here and the shop is closed. Now we don’t know where to go.”
Daniel was thrilled to hear this. Finally, a way for him to show Julia he was worthy of her. “What if I find Julia’s father for her?” Of course. That was absolutely the solution to his problem.
“How do you find him? We have tried. He is not here.”
“I have to try, right? When you love someone, you do anything for them. Do you have a phone number for him? An address? Anything for me to go on?” He pulled out his phone, ready to take notes.
“Just his name and address in Sorrento. Here.” Alessandra turned on her phone. “Give me your phone number. I send you a text with what I know.”
They exchanged phone numbers, and his phone dinged with a series of texts to the annoyed stares of the sales people. Relief flowed over him. He could help Julia. She couldn’t be mad at him much longer if he helped her, could she? “Great, then I’ll text you back when I find him. Can you do something for me, please? Can you keep it a secret that you’ve seen me?” he begged.
“You don’t want me to say to my sister that you are here?”
“I want to surprise her. I’m going to find her father, and then I want to apologize to her. All at once. She’ll have to forgive me, right?”
“I think so. But that’s up to her.” She looked at him, then smiled. “You really do love her, don’t you?”
“I do. Thank you.” He took her hands and squeezed in brief thanks, then began to walk away, ready to start his mission.
“Daniel, wait. Do you need to know the name of our hotel?” Alessandra called after him.
“I know it,” he said, turning back, making an apologetic face.
“Stalker,” she accused, but her smile gave away that she wasn’t angry at him.
He yelled out, “In the name of love!”
Daniel exited the farmacia quickly to the left, shielding his face, making sure to disappear without being seen by Julia. He hadn’t the slightest notion of how to find her father. It would be sheer luck. He hoped he deserved the good karma.
Chapter 33
Alessandra knew her way around Positano the same way she did around Bologna, Napoli, and any other place they had visited in the past two days. Julia envied the confident way her sister navigated the winding cobblestone streets going up and down in no pattern or order, without relying on her phone map, knowing exactly where to find her father’s store among the art gallery shops.
“How do you know where everything is?” she asked.
“Nothing ever changes in Positano. I come every year, and it’s all the same. Boring. Same everywhere in Amalfi. It’s for tourists. The real fun is on the Riviera, not here, trust me. Oh, here it is.”
Alessandra led them up yet another winding set of stone steps, to a two-story shop displaying nature art, shells, and rocks. Julia pressed her face against the glass and saw several modern art pieces inside. Nothing that reminded her of the painting she’d received from her mother.
“Are you sure this is it?” Julia pressed her face against the window and tried to peek inside.
“Tha
t is the correct address, Galeria Marino.” Alessandra tugged on the door. “It’s locked.”
“Is there a doorbell or anything?”
“No.” Alessandra knocked. There was no answer.
“Look, there’s a note.” Julia pointed to a small white piece of paper, taped on the door. “What does it say?”
“It says, We are sorry, the store is closed today.”
“Does it say when it will reopen?”
“No.” Alessandra slammed her palm against the door.
“I’m going to knock again. What if he is inside but just doesn’t want to sell today?” Julia knocked vigorously for a few minutes, but there was no answer.
Alessandra sat down on the steps. “This is terrible. He is not here, he is not in Sorrento. The most difficult man to find in Italy.”
Julia looked around the building. “It doesn’t look like there’s an apartment here to live in, only stores. Did he just take a day off? If we walk around the town, can you recognize him?”
Alessandra shook her head. “Maybe. He is a handsome man, but this is Positano, many handsome men. I can’t promise.”
“I feel so stupid for making you come all the way here.” Julia sat down next to her.
“Oh, I wanted to come. And if I didn’t, I would still marry Antonio, remember?”
“Yes, true. What do we do now?”
Alessandra got up. “Let’s eat lunch. I’m very hungry, and I did promise you the seafood risotto. I think better when my stomach is full.”
They walked down toward the beach, Alessandra again expertly navigating the tourists, the scooters, and the salespeople trying to get them into their shops. It took some time to find a perfect restaurant for lunch, but she finally was convinced by the menu and Julia’s complaint of exhaustion. The restaurant was a welcome respite from the busy hot street, and Julia stretched her legs with pleasure after taking some pictures of the garden and the rooftops below.
“I've decided we should stay,” Alessandra said, dipping a piece of fresh bread in the olive oil.
“So you propose we just sit around and wait for him to show up?” Julia asked, tapping her fingers on the railing.
The House by the Cypress Trees Page 23