by Brenda Grate
He agreed with a gracious smile and led them to one of his favorite cafés.
They found a table and placed their orders with Marco’s recommendations. He sat back, looking relaxed and happy. Aja’s eyes kept locking with his and he would respond with a private smile meant only for her.
“So, Marco, are you following us?” Mia asked, then laughed her infectious laugh when Marco blushed.
“Leave him alone, Mia,” Aja told her friend with a giggle.
Marco took Aja’s hand under the table. “So, Mia, what brings you to Italy?”
“I’m here to visit my best friend and make sure she’s okay,” Mia said and then averted her eyes. She twisted her hands around themselves and Aja noticed for the first time that her finger was bare. It used to have a large diamond ring on it.
“She’s getting married and Julianna and I are doing the wedding,” Aja told him, but her voice had a question in it. Aja noticed how quiet Mia got after that. She and Marco carried the conversation. Aja couldn’t wait to get Mia alone so she could grill her on what had changed. Just weeks ago Mia had been thrilled to be getting married.
“Do you have your dress yet, Mia? Maybe we could shop for one before we head to Siena,” Aja asked, testing Mia’s response. When Mia said, “Sure,” and shrugged, Aja got even more worried.
They thanked Marco for lunch and Aja kissed him goodbye, ignoring Mia’s raised eyebrows.
“Bring Mia for dinner, Aja. Nona would love to meet your friend.” He leaned closer. “She would love to see you again, too.” Marco’s lips brushed Aja’s ear, sending a shiver down the backs of her thighs. She was sad to see him go, but was thrilled that she could be with him whenever she wanted.
She watched Marco walk away, and then turned to her friend. “Okay, Mia, it’s time to tell me what’s going on.”
Mia didn’t respond. She headed toward the rental car in silence with Aja trailing behind.
Aja held her peace until they were in the car.
“Mia, what’s going on?” Aja asked again.
“What do you mean?”
Aja huffed out her breath and turned in the car seat to face Mia. “You know what I mean. You can’t hide anything from me.”
“I know,” Mia said. She leaned her head back. Then she pushed her sunglasses up. “I’m sorry. I just didn’t want to ruin our time together.”
“How could you possibly do that?”
“By telling you there isn’t going to be a wedding.”
“I thought so,” Aja said.
“How did you know?” Mia didn’t sound surprised.
Aja didn’t bother to answer. She lowered her head and looked sideways at Mia with an expression that said, “Come on, how long have we been friends?”
Mia put her sunglasses back down. “Do you want to know why?"
"Of course, if you want to tell me?"
Mia looked over and smiled. "Yes, I want to tell you, but thanks for understanding if I didn't." Mia grabbed her seatbelt and was busy buckling up for a few seconds. "Why don't you drive and I'll tell you."
"Okay." Aja started the car and eased into the flow of traffic. "I'm not going to like this am I? And what about the baby?” She glanced at Mia and saw her lips flatten out. "There is still a baby?"
"No. There's no baby."
Aja gasped. "Mia. Are you okay?"
Mia leaned her head against her window. "I'm okay, but I don't really want to talk about it." Her voice was almost a whisper. "It's Brad's fault." Her voice sounded harsh now.
"What? What did he do? Did he hurt you?" Aja's face grew hot with fury. She weaved in and out of traffic, her foot pressing heavy on the accelerator.
"No, he didn't hurt me." Mia put her hand on Aja's arm. "You can slow down now, okay?"
Aja looked at the speedometer and eased up on the pedal. "Sorry."
"He's gay."
Aja's head whipped around. "What?"
"You heard me."
"I heard gay. Did you say gay?"
"Yes, I said gay."
"How could he be gay?"
"Aja. I don't know how, he just is. I guess he didn't realize it until the wedding got closer.”
"But, but... " Aja sputtered, then stopped. She didn't know what to say.
"I know." Mia leaned her head against the window again.
Aja glanced over and saw tears dripping down her cheeks. She eased up more on the gas and Mia said, "Don't you dare stop."
"Okay, okay. I..."
"I can't talk about this if you look at me. I'm humiliated."
"What? Now that's the last thing you should be feeling. It's not your fault he's gay. The fact that you could tempt a gay man means you're freakin' awesome."
Mia snorted.
"I'm serious Mia-me. If you turn this on yourself, I'm going to be mad at you. You're stunning. Just wait till Pietro sees you with your sexy figure and huge brown eyes. He's going to throw himself at your feet and beg you to take him to your bed."
Mia started giggling.
Aja felt relief wash through her. The last thing she wanted was her friend wallowing and losing confidence in herself. "You've wasted yourself on an unappreciative man for too long. It's time to introduce you to Italian sausage."
Mia turned and smiled at Aja. She swiped at the tears on her face. "You really are a good friend, Aja. I'm so glad I came to Italy."
"Me too. Now I'm going to ask you a question and then we'll never bring it up again."
"Okay."
"How did you find out? He didn't tell you, did he?"
"No. You know him well enough for that. Brad's a nice guy, but he's a chicken. He'd never tell me to my face. I think he actually would have gone through with the wedding just so he didn't have to tell me." Mia smoothed her sundress over her knees and then adjusted her glasses.
Aja waited patiently.
"I saw him in The Keg. I went there to pick up some gift cards for the groomsmen, you know, for wedding gifts."
Aja nodded. "Good idea."
"He was there, with a man. I know, not a big deal. It was during the work day and he often takes clients out for lunch. But, there was something strange about it."
"What do you mean?" Aja took her eyes off the road to look at Mia's face. Mia had removed her sunglasses again. Her face was pale.
"It was the way Brad was looking at him." Her voice had a catch in it. "When I saw that I stopped. I was going to say hi, but it felt like I was an intruder."
"Oh, Mia."
"Brad looked at this stranger in a way he'd never looked at me. Of course he was always kind and loving. You know Brad, he's always treated me well. But, in that moment, I realized."
"What?"
"I realized that he treated me like a big brother. He looked at him like a lover."
"I'm so sorry, Mia."
"But, that's just it, Aja. I was only shocked for a second… then it all made sense. Everything. Our entire 5-year relationship. Our friends in school. Everything. Brad suddenly made sense to me and I don't know why I didn't see it before."
"I didn't see it either. Maybe Brad didn't even realize."
Mia made a derisive sound in her throat. "Oh, he knew. I know that now. He's always known. I think he wanted me for cover."
"But, why? There's nothing shameful about being gay. Our culture is much more accepting of it now."
"But his family isn't. You know they wouldn't be."
"Oh, of course." Brad's family was religious and intolerant. Aja had only met them once, but that was enough. "Oh, wow. That's not fair to you! How could he do that to you?"
Mia shrugged. "People will do crazy things to keep from disappointing their parents."
"What about the baby? Did they know you were pregnant?" It shot out before Aja could recall the words. She was thinking about how angry Brad's parents would be that they'd had sex before marriage, completely forgetting that Mia was heartbroken. Stupid, stupid Aja. She clapped a hand over her mouth, but it was too late.
Mia put
a hand on Aja's arm, pulling it away from her mouth. "It's okay, Aja. I'll tell you about the baby."
"I'm sorry," Aja mumbled.
"Don't be. I'm sad, yes, but I'm okay. I want a baby and I'll have another one, but it was for the best. I wouldn't have wanted to try to raise a baby alone. I want to have a child with a man as much in love with me as I'm with him."
"What happened?"
"I guess it was the shock. I left the restaurant, without having said anything to Brad. The pain started soon after."
"Did you go to the hospital?"
"Yes. The doctor said I'm fine, that I’ll be able to have other children, but that nature decided this one wasn't to be."
"Oh Mia-me. I'm sorry, honey." Aja reached over and squeezed her friend's hand.
"I know. It's hard. You know how I love babies." A lone tear trickled down her cheek. "But I'll have more. I'll find me a man who's crazy for me and I'll have twelve." Mia slapped the door and said, "Now, enough about me. Tell me all about what's going on with you. And why was Marco in Florence?"
Aja smiled a secret smile. "I think he was following me."
"Why?"
"Because he loves me and he's Italian."
"Have you lost your mind? What does that mean?"
"I've learned that Italian men are very protective. I think Marco followed me to keep me safe from Stephen. I thought I saw his car once or twice, but wasn't sure. When he showed up in the alley, I knew. But I wasn't going to say anything to embarrass him; I already learned that lesson with Pietro."
Mia wriggled back into her seat. "Okay. Tell me more. I really want to know about Pietro and Marco, who is a hottie by the way.”
Aja filled Mia in on everything as they drove. By the time they arrived at Julianna's place, Mia was more than ready to meet Pietro, Julianna, and especially Nona.
They got out of the car and Aja gasped.
"Hey little sis, hey Mia!"
"What are you doing here?” Aja rushed over and threw her arms around her brother.
Olly grinned and whirled her around. "Checking up on you, of course."
Chapter 27
“How did you find me, Olly?”
They were walking back to Julianna’s house after dropping off the rental car. Mia had stayed at the house with Julianna - who was sad for Mia that the wedding was off, but was happy she came to Italy anyway. Mia loved to cook, so Julianna had put her to work helping her prepare for the evening customers.
“It wasn’t that difficult, little sis. We collected your mail and opened your credit card statement.” He grinned.
Aja rolled her eyes. “Of course you did. Why didn’t I think to have them forwarded here?” She smiled at her brother. “But, I don’t mind. I’m glad you came. Just so you know, I’ve been doing fine on my own.”
Olly threw an arm around her shoulders and squeezed until she gasped. “I’m impressed actually.”
Aja looked up at him, “Really?”
His face turned serious. “Yeah, really. I expected to come here and have to get you out of some scrape or another, but here you are just hanging out with your friends.” Olly stopped and turned her to face him. “But where’s Stephen?”
“How did you… ? Oh, Mia?”
“It doesn’t matter. He’s here isn’t he?”
“Yeah. And I’m sick to death of him. We’re taking care of it, Olly. You don’t have to worry.”
They started walking again while Aja told her brother the plan. His grin came back in full force. “That’s a great plan,” he crowed.
“Thanks. Pietro came up with part of it.”
“Who’s Pietro?”
“Julianna’s brother. I have a feeling you’re going to like him. And Marco. He wants us to come for dinner tomorrow.” Aja had called him when they got back from Florence. He was excited her brother was in town and wanted to meet him.
“And who’s Marco?”
Aja blushed.
Olly studied her face. “Ah. That’s Marco.” He clenched his fists. Aja could hear his knuckles cracking.
“Olly! He’s a wonderful man. Do NOT beat up Marco.”
He didn’t say anything. Aja sighed.
As they rounded the corner to Julianna’s house, Aja asked about the family.
“They’re all doing well. I had to promise to find you or Dad was going to come himself. You should know: Henderson, Stephen’s lawyer, phoned Dad. He quit working for Stephen and wanted Dad to know. I think Dad’s going to hire him. Stephen doesn’t know he quit yet. He told Dad he’s still pretending to work for him to get information. He hates what Stephen did to you. Henderson wants to distance himself from Stephen.”
Aja shuddered. “I’m glad Daddy is keeping up on what Stephen is doing. Hopefully the plan will work and he’ll go away. I’ll tell the guys to use Henderson’s name. Stephen will believe them then.”
She hugged her brother’s arm. “I’m glad you’re here.”
They went inside and found Julianna up to her elbows in flour making fresh pasta. They talked for a few minutes, and Aja noticed Julianna’s eyes continually straying to Olly leaning against the door frame. Her face kept changing color and she was quiet. Aja wasn’t surprised. Then she thought how cool it would be for her brother and Julianna to get together. Hmmm, matchmaking time?
The door opened and Pietro came in. Mia’s eyes widened and then flew to Aja.
“I know,” Aja mouthed at her.
“Italian sausage, indeed,” Mia whispered.
“What’s that?” Olly asked.
“Oh, nothing,” Aja’s eyes twinkled at Mia.
Julianna washed her hands. “Dinner ready. Come.” She led them to the big table in the dining room. She hadn’t opened for the evening yet, so they had the room to themselves.
“Pietro, come meet my brother.”
Pietro joined them at the table with a flash of his beautiful teeth and Aja introduced him to Olly, leaving Mia for the last. Aja didn’t miss the way his eyes lingered on Mia, nor the way her friend blushed and looked down at her plate.
“Are you working tomorrow?” Aja asked Pietro.
“I have taxi. Are you need something?”
“Yes, I want to take Mia shopping tomorrow. Can you drive us?”
“Sí. Of course,” Pietro agreed with another flash of teeth.
“Want I take you to butcher shop for Italian sausage?” He winked at Aja and Mia went bright red and choked on her food.
“No, I think we have plenty right here, but thanks,” Aja said with a grin.
“Julianna, where’s Bella?” Aja asked.
“She at my friend house for night.”
Aja wanted to introduce Bella to Mia. Mia loved kids and she knew they would hit it off.
After dinner, they decided they would go out dancing. Marco was to join them as well.
The three women crowded into Julianna’s tiny bathroom, elbows poking each other as they applied their makeup and did their hair. There was much laughing and teasing.
“Looks like you won’t be pining long, Mia,” Aja teased.
“Pining?” Julianna asked, “What means pining?”
“It means she won’t be sad about her old boyfriend.”
“You had old man for boyfriend?” Julianna’s eyebrows nearly reached her dark hair.
Mia and Aja laughed.
“No,” Mia said. “He’s not my boyfriend anymore, so we call him old.”
Julianna shook her head. “That not nice.”
Mia shrugged. “He cheated on me.”
“Bastardo! You should had cut off his pene. Like Aja do.”
Mia laughed and collapsed against the sink. “Your new friend is wonderful, Aja.” She hugged Julianna and smiled at Aja over her shoulder. “I wish I could take you home with me, Juli.”
Julianna clearly understood only about a third of the conversation, but she grasped Mia’s meaning and she smiled back. “I like you,” she said and patted Mia’s cheek.
“What do you think o
f my brother, Juli?” Aja asked.
Julianna’s cheeks got red and she sputtered, “He nice. Nice brother.”
Aja gave her a little push. “I think he likes you and I think you like him too.”