He shook his head. ‘I didn’t know if I could trust you. You could have gone straight to Ms. Maxhammer and told her the truth. And you wouldn’t have been acting wrongly. She deserves that. Everyone on the tour deserves it.’
Carly reached across the table and grabbed both his hands. ‘Nonsense. You’ve been doing a fabulous job. Aside from annoying Reena, which isn’t the end of the world, you’ve shown the orchestra a grand time. They all love you. Why would I jeopardize that?’
‘So you forgive me?’
All the walls she’d built around her came crashing down. His honesty and his vulnerability drew her to him more now than ever. She squeezed his hands. ‘Of course I do. Your secret is safe with me.’
He threaded his fingers through hers, pulling her closer across the table. ‘Then I have one more confession to make.’
The dizziness of the buzz cleared into a heightened sense of clarity. Her heart thudded heavily in her chest. ‘Yes?’
‘From the moment I laid eyes on you, I knew you were special. We had an electric connection from that first trip on the bus. From there, it only grew until neither of us could ignore it. I told you before that now is not the right time to get involved. But what we have is too special, too wonderful to throw away. I was wrong.’
He unthreaded his hand and rose. At first she thought he was leaving her before things got out of hand, but instead, he slipped into the booth beside her. ‘I would never forgive myself if I let you go so easily.’
His proximity intoxicated her more than any slew of margaritas. She put both hands on his chest, feeling the hard ridges of his lean muscles and the strong beat of his heart. He rubbed his cheek against hers, the rough stubble igniting her skin. Her lips moved to his, and he pulled her into his arms. She opened her mouth, and the kiss deepened, causing a burning sensation deep within her gut.
Carly had never been kissed like that before. The raw passion awakened something long-dormant inside of her, a primal urge stronger than any of her music. All she wanted was his closeness, his caresses.
Glass shattered from the booth beside them and Michelangelo pulled back.
Alaina stood from the booth, her fingers shaking. Tears streaked her face, running a spidery web of mascara down each cheek. A piece of broken glass stuck from her palm, leaking blood on her red dress. She must have shattered her wine glass in her hands. ‘She may not tell Ms. Maxhammer about your lies, but I will.’
Michelangelo stood. ‘Alaina. I can explain.’
‘You don’t need to.’ Alaina’s glance shot at Carly. ‘And you! You said you weren’t interested in him. You lied to me as well. I thought you were my friend.’
Guilt hit Carly like a slap in the face. Alaina thought of her as a friend? Sure, they’d spent a lot of time rehearsing, but had she really made that big an impression on her? Then, the truth dawned on her—Alaina probably didn’t have that many friends, so any gesture Carly had made would have been enough for her to think of her as one.
Then, she remembered Michelangelo’s words. Vehemence boiled inside her. ‘What kind of friend sells you out to the boss when you disappear for one night?’
Alaina glanced down as though Carly was the one who’d hurt her more. ‘I was angry with how the aria came off, and I went to find you, and you weren’t there. You’d abandoned me to face all those people alone.’ She stopped in mid-sentence, clutching her stomach. Carly froze. She had abandoned Alaina. Whether she liked it or not, they had become friends, and not only had Carly left her after the aria, she’d stolen her supposed boyfriend as well. ‘I’m sorry.’
‘It’s too late for Sorry.’ Alaina pulled away as tears overcame her.
Carly sat in shock, watching Alaina run from the bar. What had she done? It was over. They’d been caught: she was drinking when she should have been mingling at the event after the concert, and Michelangelo was cavorting with the customers. Worse, yet, she’d just betrayed one of the orchestra’s greatest benefactors. Alaina knew Michelangelo’s secret, and soon he’d have no job. To be so close to nirvana, then to have it ripped away was more painful than anything Carly had ever experienced in her life. Yet, she wasn’t alone, and that small comfort gave her courage. They’d face this together.
She took Michelangelo’s hand. ‘She’s right. I did betray her.’
‘Nonsense.’ If it wasn’t clear before, it was clear now. Michelangelo had no feelings for Alaina, no remorse. ‘What she did, she did to herself.’
His unforgiving attitude surprised her. ‘What do you mean?’
‘She forced herself on me back there in the hotel room, and then every day after that. I had to be polite because of my job, but she misinterpreted every single word I said.’
Carly couldn’t believe she was standing up for her, but she did. ‘Alaina only did it because she’s looking for love.’
Michelangelo shook his head as though Alaina finding love was a hopeless endeavor. ‘Well, she’s looking in the wrong place.’
‘Wrong place or not, she’s pretty angry.’ Carly sighed. ‘What should we do?’
He plopped down in his seat already giving in to defeat. ‘We can’t stop her.’
‘Yes, but we can explain our side.’ She nudged him from the booth. An hour ago, she’d been too ashamed to confront anyone in the orchestra, and now she’d walk in front of every one of them, right up to Ms. Maxhammer for him and make things right again. ‘Come on. Take me back to the reception.’
They left the Galleria in Michelangelo’s Fiat, weaving through the other cars on the street.
Carly held onto the door while Michelangelo sped through the yellow light. ‘Do you think we can get to her before Alaina does?’
He shrugged. ‘That depends on which cab she took and how much she was willing to pay him.’
Alaina could buy the entire orchestra if she wanted. ‘Then that doesn’t bode well for us.’
They reached the Piazza Del Milan, the grand hotel built in the ancient Roman fashion, where the reception was taking place. While Carly jumped out and grabbed her purse and oboe bag, Michelangelo left the car with the valet. ‘Where is the Ballroom Giardino?’
The valet took the keys. ‘Second floor, third door to your right, signore.’ Carly wanted to ask him if he’d seen another red-dressed woman parading in, but that would only waste time.
‘Grazie.’ Michelangelo took Carly’s hand. Carly held her dress up in a clump of sparkly fabric and they ran to the elevators.
Elegant chamber music greeted them as the doors closed, mocking their situation. Carly gripped Michelangelo’s hand, wanting to continue that tease of a kiss in the booth. But now was not the time. The doors parted and they walked into the ballroom. Orchestra members danced on an oak floor while a jazz band played What a Wonderful World. Wolf and Melody sat at a long white-clothed table eating trays of fruits and cheese, and Al flirted with a waitress. No one seemed to notice them.
‘Where’s Ms. Maxhammer?’ Carly scanned the room.
‘I’m over here.’ The old woman’s icy voice chilled Carly’s heart. Carly nudged Michelangelo’s arm and they turned toward the hallway beside the room.
Ms. Maxhammer stood with one hand on her hip and her other hand on her cane. ‘And I hear you have quite the story to tell.’
Carly’s stomach flipped. Alaina had already reached her. Was it too late? Michelangelo squeezed Carly’s hand, giving her courage. ‘Where’s Alaina? Is she all right?’
Ms. Maxhammer nodded. ‘She’s fine. I sent her to her room with my nurse.’
‘So she told you what she saw?’ Carly could barely keep her beating heart in her chest.
‘She told me everything…from her point of view.’ Ms. Maxhammer gestured over her shoulder. ‘Come. Let’s talk where there’s more privacy.’
They walked to a private conference room with paintings of the green countryside and wineries that must have resembled Michelangelo’s own home. Ms. Maxhammer took a seat at the head of a circular oak table, settling int
o the leather conference chair. Carly and Michelangelo sat on either side. Carly couldn’t help feeling as though she was in the principal’s office for skipping class.
Ms. Maxhammer breathed deeply and turned to Michelangelo. ‘Alaina’s disputes are mostly with you. She’s told me you’re not the experienced tour guide you said you are, and that you are a lady’s man going after all the pretty young women on this trip.’
Carly wanted to defend him, but it wasn’t her place, so she sat back and let him talk.
‘My apologies for deceiving you.’ Michelangelo bowed his head. ‘I took the job because I needed the money to save my winery.’
The old woman pursed her lips. ‘So I deduced.’
Michelangelo spread his hands upon the table. ‘But I’m not a ladies’ man. Actually, far from it. I’ve spent every waking minute of my life trying to save my winery. If that meant being cordial to the orchestra members, then that’s what I did. I was never involved with Alaina. She projected her feelings onto me. I tried to tell her so tonight, and I realized it was too late. I should have said something during the tour, but I didn’t want to upset her.’
A hint of a smile crept into Ms. Maxhammer’s lips. ‘That’s quite believable, knowing her.’
Michelangelo took Carly’s hand, surprising her. ‘The last thing I thought I’d have on this tour was feelings for someone.’ He shook his head. ‘God knows, I have enough problems of my own, and romance would only make my life more complicated. But, no matter how much I fight them, I do have feelings for Carly. Whether or not I lose this job, what I feel toward her will remain.’
‘I see.’ The old woman turned to Carly with a sparkle in her eye. ‘And what say you on this matter?’
Carly shrugged, feeling sheepish. Her feelings for Michelangelo eclipsed anything she had with the orchestra. If she went down in flames, then so be it. At least she’d have given herself a chance at romance. ‘I have feelings for him, too. I want his winery to succeed. He’s really done nothing wrong. All he’s ever done this whole trip was show us a good time. We should allow him to continue as tour guide and pay him for the time he’s spent providing us with a wonderful tour.’
Ms. Maxhammer tapped her fingernails on the table. ‘Michelangelo has done a magnificent job on this tour, whether he had experience or not. Yet we have a very unhappy customer, someone who’s donated a lot of money to this tour, and she has some valid arguments up her sleeve.’
Carly crossed her arms. So that’s how Alaina got that solo. Why did they always have to pander to the rich? Why couldn’t they choose the best woman for the part?
Ms. Maxhammer spread her hands out as if she were helpless. ‘If Alaina’s not happy by the morning, she’ll take this up with the rest of the board, and with Wolf. What do you suggest I do?’
Just when she thought she’d found the missing piece, Carly’s world was falling apart. Michelangelo would lose his winery, she’d go home with a nasty slew of reviews, and everyone in the orchestra would think she was the biggest flirt ever. She’d never be able to show her face again and she’d end her relationship with Michelangelo on a sour note—no pun intended. If only she had more time.
Then a crazy idea brightened in Carly’s mind. She reached across the table and grabbed Ms. Maxhammer’s hand. ‘Propose one more concert. The orchestra is here for another two days anyway. And they all love Michelangelo. Why not give a performance on Michelangelo’s vineyard to raise money for his cause? Not only would it help him, but it would give Alaina and I another chance at that aria and a good review. That’s what she truly wants.’
Michelangelo waved her idea away. ‘No, I won’t have it. Too many people have to make a sacrifice for me.’
Carly patted the back of his hand. ‘It’s not just for you, it’s also to set things right with Alaina. Give her one more chance to impress with her aria and she’ll forgive you.’
Ms. Maxhammer tilted her head. ‘That, young lady, is the best idea I’ve heard all night.’ She rose from her seat and Michelangelo helped her up. ‘I’ll ask them now. But I have to warn you, everyone in the orchestra has to agree to it. This was supposed to be their time off.’
He helped her to the door. ‘They probably all want to go to the beach at this point. Not fundraise for me.’
‘No.’ Carly bolted ahead and opened the door, finally feeling a sense of exhilarating relief. ‘Americans are fiercely loyal. You’re wrong.’
Chapter Nineteen
A Favor to Ask
Michelangelo’s stomach clenched as he stood before all of the orchestra members. He’d cursed these people at the beginning, thinking them lazy, rude Americans. Now when he gazed down at Bertha’s mischievous wink, at Trixie’s awkward wave, and at Carly’s loving sincerity, he knew they had a special place in his heart. Guilt mixed with melancholy trickled through him. He hated asking them for help during their time off, but the fate of his winery now rested on their shoulders.
Ms. Maxhammer took the stage and turned on the mic. ‘At the grand conclusion of this wonderful tour, I must ask you one more favor. Listen carefully, for you will have to give up your remaining days in Italy to make this happen, and none of you are under contract to do so. These are your days off to spend as you will.’ She paused, letting the moment sink in. The room grew so silent he could have heard a cell phone vibrate in someone’s pocket.
Ms. Maxhammer knew how to create anticipation. She tapped her fingers on the podium, then continued. ‘It has come to my attention that our wonderful tour guide, Michelangelo, needs our help.’
‘Anything we can do.’ Bertha waved her hand. ‘He can stay with me if he needs a room.’ Her friend Trudy covered her mouth.
Ms. Maxhammer raised a hand to silence the growing murmurs. ‘It’s nothing like that. At least not yet.’ She pursed her lips. ‘Turns out he’s not an experienced tour guide.’
Hushed mumbles and a few grunts of disapproval surrounded them.
‘I knew it!’ Reena pointed at him. ‘I knew that “Brotherhood of the Manifesto” was crap.’
Michelangelo winced. Maybe he had gone a little overboard.
Mrs. Maxhammer raised her hand. ‘We’re not here to hang him, we’re here to help him. He’s done a wonderful job as our tour guide, and I want you to take that into account.’
A few people nodded in agreement.
Mrs. Maxhammer touched the gaudy pearls at her neck. ‘He took this job because his winery—one that has been in his family for generations—is in danger.’
Gasps rang out, followed by more mutterings. Trixie pushed through the crowd. ‘Ms. Maxhammer, how can we help?’
‘He needs to raise money to purchase the land, or it will be leveled and made into condos.’
‘No way.’ Trixie twisted her hair around her finger.
‘Why didn’t he tell us?’ Al shouted out from the back.
Ms. Maxhammer pursed her lips and gave Michelangelo a knowing look. ‘He didn’t want to burden you with his problems.’ She gestured toward Carly. ‘Carly Davis has proposed a magnificent idea to help him and give her and Alaina another chance at their aria. But it would take all of you to agree to make it happen.’
‘What is it?’ Bertha chewed her lower lip.
Ms. Maxhammer spread her hands like a magic trick. ‘A benefit concert at Michelangelo’s vineyard Thursday night. Proceeds will go to the restoration of his property and the lease.’
Murmurs echoed throughout the orchestra. Melody spoke in hushed tones with Wolf. Al scratched his head and Trixie’s parents whispered excitedly in each other’s ears. Embarrassment crept up Michelangelo’s neck to his cheeks. These were professional musicians. They hardly ever played for free.
Ms. Maxhammer tapped her finger on the mic, silencing the talking. ‘Since I’d have to get into advertising this right away, I must see now, by a show of hands, how many of you would be willing to add yet another concert—a free concert, mind you—to the tour?’
Bertha put her hand up first, followe
d by Trixie and her parents.
‘Well, heck, I’m not going to the beach by myself.’ Bertha’s friend Trudy came next.
Maestro Braun stood from his table, followed by Carly’s bff, Melody. One by one, the entire orchestra joined in.
Even Al raised him hand. ‘One more for good time’s sake.’
Warmth spread through Michelangelo’s chest, followed by guilt and embarrassment. Boy, had he misjudged them.
Al shouted over, ‘Does that mean we get a free bottle of wine?’
‘Absolutely.’ Michelangelo glowed with positive warmth. After all he’d been through this was like a beacon in a dark and scary storm and he had Carly to thank for it. His gaze settled on her as she held her hand up higher than the rest. ‘Everyone gets a bottle of wine.’
Ms. Maxhammer touched the mic again. ‘Well, now—a unanimous vote. Everything is settled. Tomorrow I’ll make the arrangements with the media.’ She turned to Carly and Michelangelo and winked. ‘You two are free to get over there in the morning and start setting up. I’ll handle Alaina.’
‘No I’ll do it.’ Carly interjected with a strong determination that surprised him.
Ms. Maxhammer raised both eyebrows.
Carly’s face softened. ‘I’ve broken her trust, and I want to apologize. I want to make things right between us. After all, we have to play together for this plan to succeed. There’s no way we’re going to produce beautiful music if we hate each other.’
‘Very well.’ Mrs. Maxhammer nodded as if impressed. ‘She’s requested her own room, so you’ll have to ask her to come in.’
‘Great.’ Carly breathed heavily. He admired her for her determination. Only a truly brave woman would stand up to make things right.
Mrs. Maxhammer touched Carly’s arm gently. Amusement danced in her eyes. ‘Good luck.’
*****
Carly took a deep breath and knocked on the door to Alaina’s room. When no one answered, she tried again, this time louder. ‘It’s Carly. Open the door.’
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