“How hard what is?”
He shrugged. “Moving on alone. Mourning his passing.”
She wanted to argue and tell Roberto that it wasn’t hard, that she was doing just fine. But that would be a lie. It was like waking up one day and having everything you knew about your life and routine being totally altered. It had taken her a while to find her footing again, but she was now able to stand on her own two feet. Now she just had to find a new path to walk down.
“I did mourn Lukos for a long time. He had been such an important part of my life. But I’m moving on now.” And then she wondered if she should share her thoughts with Roberto. She wanted to tell someone—someone who wasn’t her brother, who thought he had all the answers where she was concerned.
“Do you really think you can do that? Move on, that is?” Roberto’s gaze searched hers as though he could see the truth reflected in her eyes.
“Lukos will always have a place in my heart, but he made me promise him that I would move on. That I would have a life and all it entails. And that’s what I’m trying to do. It hasn’t been easy and there were days when I really regretted making him that promise because all I wanted to do at that point was to wrap myself up in his memories and stay there. But now, well, I’m feeling a little more confident and I know I have to move on, for the promise I made and most of all for myself.”
Roberto reached out to her. His fingers gently stroked her cheek. “You are the strongest person I know.”
His kind words made her heart swell. “Thank you. But I’m not anything special.”
“You are to me.”
Her pulse raced and she longed to lean forward and press her lips to his. But perhaps she was reading this moment all wrong. And she didn’t want to mess up this special friendship.
After an awkward moment of silence, Roberto said, “I need to get ready for our last day in Venice.”
“I... I should go.” She moved toward the door.
“You can wait here.” He grabbed some clothes from the bed and headed to the shower. “I’ll only be a few minutes.”
Stasia felt guilty for dragging Roberto away from his work. It was so evident last night that his grandfather was looking forward to Roberto’s findings. She remembered her own grandfather and the close link she’d shared with him. She would do anything to have him in her life again. She missed him dearly.
Stasia’s gaze turned to the table with the stack of papers and Roberto’s laptop. She felt guilty for coming between him and his bond to his grandfather. She moved to the table and sat down. She had to admit she was curious to unravel the mystery.
Her gaze moved to the bathroom door. It was closed and the sound of running water could be heard. Would Roberto mind if she took another look? She didn’t think so.
She opened his laptop and one of the files she’d worked on the other day appeared on the screen. In fact, she noticed that Roberto hadn’t gotten much further. She set to work. Maybe, just maybe, she could uncover something more than a transposed number.
“What are you doing?”
Stasia’s head jerked up. Her gaze met Roberto’s questioning stare with his arched brow. A guilty smile pulled at her lips. She felt like she was back in primary school reaching for a second cookie when only offered one.
“I was bored. I thought I’d look at the spreadsheet some more.” As their gazes continued to connect, she said, “You really care, don’t you?”
His eyes widened. The color drained from his face. As time passed without him saying a word, she realized how her words might have sounded.
“I meant you care about the company.”
The worry lines on his handsome face smoothed. He shrugged, just like he’d done when they’d had a similar conversation. “I’ve tried to tell myself that I don’t care, but the more I work on this project, the more I realize how much I enjoy this business.”
“Maybe it’s time you went back.”
He shook his head as he slipped on his socks and shoes. “I offered to help, but I couldn’t work for my grandfather again. We disagree too much.”
“Maybe it’ll be different this time.” She was hoping during the cruise that the two men would repair their relationship—maybe it was too much to hope. “Show me what needs to be done.”
“You don’t have to do that. I told you I would take care of it.”
“I know I don’t have to, but I want to.” She thought about mentioning how it would please his grandfather to finish this project early, but then she decided to tell him the honest truth. “The thing is, I’m curious. There has to be something here that we’re not seeing.”
His eyes widened. “You’re really that curious?”
She nodded.
“Maybe you found your calling,” he said, coming to stand next to her. “Maybe you are meant to be an accountant or perhaps a forensic accountant.”
She thought about it for a moment. She did like numbers, but not enough to devote a large portion of her life to it. “I don’t think so. I just can’t imagine me sitting and staring at numbers day in and day out. But right now, the curiosity is eating at me.”
He ran a hand over his still-damp hair. “What about Venice? It awaits us.”
She worried her lip. She was torn. Was it wrong that she wanted to do both things?
He held his hand out to her. “Come on. There’s gelato to taste and perhaps another gondola ride.”
“But—”
“And if you still feel like it when we get back to the ship this evening, we’ll work on the reports—together. Deal?”
She liked the idea of working alongside him. They did make a pretty great team. She closed the laptop and placed her hand in his. “It’s a deal.”
He gripped her hand as she got to her feet. She expected him to let go once she was standing, but instead he laced his fingers with hers and headed for the door. For the first time in a very long time, she didn’t feel alone, even when she was in a crowd of people.
When Lukos had gotten sick, she hadn’t noticed it at first, but over time, she started doing everything alone. When he’d been resting, she would grocery shop. When he’d been awake but had no energy, she would clean and cook. As time had passed, she’d grown used to going it alone. She’d forgotten what it was like to be part of us.
Roberto was helping her to remember how life could be. And for that she was grateful. And when it was over, she would help him with his project. Together it would be a good day.
DAY TEN
Sibenik, Croatia
EVERYONE WAS HAPPY.
Too happy. And that made him worry.
His grandmother sat across from Roberto at the table in her suite. They’d just finished a light breakfast. And he had yet to learn why he’d been summoned.
His grandmother held up the teapot. “Would you care for some?”
He shook his head before checking the time. He was supposed to meet Stasia soon for another excursion and he didn’t want to be late.
“I can see that I’m keeping you,” his grandmother said. “So I’ll get to the point. I owe you an apology.”
He sent her a puzzled look. “No, you don’t.”
“But I do. When you first told me about Stasia, I didn’t believe you. I thought you were dodging my attempts at matchmaking, which your grandfather said would never work. But I watched both you and Stasia over the course of the cruise. I’ve seen the way you look at each other and the way your face lights up when she’s around. I’ve never seen you happier. And I’m sorry I doubted your love for Stasia. You obviously didn’t need my help after all.”
Roberto sat there taking in his grandmother’s words. She was a wise woman. Had she seen something he’d missed? Was it possible he was falling in love with Stasia?
“Don’t let me keep you any longer. I’m sure you’re anxious to get to Stasia.”
It
was true. He was anxious to see her. But did that equate to love?
He hugged his grandmother and left. All the while he wondered how he had let things get so far out of control. He replayed every moment they’d spent in Venice from her birthday to the engagement to dancing with Stasia at his cousin’s wedding. He knew he’d never ever visit that city without thinking of her. From this point forward, they were indelibly entwined.
Venice had changed everything for them. First, there had been the photo—the romantic photo—that had led to the kiss. He could still clearly recall the tenderness of Stasia’s lips pressed to his. His blood warmed at the memory of her curves pressed up against him.
She’d felt so right, there in his arms. And then as she’d opened herself up to him, it was all he could do to hang on to some semblance of reality.
How exactly had he gone from showing her the sights to giving her his grandmother’s ring?
He knew he’d gone a little over the top for her birthday, but there was just something about that day that had him acting out of character, or maybe he should say that he was in character as the besotted lover. He wanted to blame it on the prosecco, but he knew that wasn’t the case.
And ever since, they’d fallen into a comfortable companionship that included clasped hands, warm smiles and a mounting number of kisses. But where was it leading? Where did he want it to go?
The walls started closing in on him. He made his way down the passageway, not paying much attention to his surroundings or the people he passed. He kept moving up the steps, through the doorway and across the deck until he was at the rail. He stared out at the water.
He inhaled the sea air, wishing it would clear his thoughts. But thoughts of their three days in Venice kept replaying in his mind. He should have called a halt to this relationship a long time ago.
And then at the wedding, it was like it had made their engagement official. For all intents and purposes, it was—at least as far as his family was concerned—
Ding.
It was a text message. Roberto was tempted to ignore it, but he knew he was expected to accompany Stasia along with his family into Sibenik today. He wasn’t in any frame of mind to put on a show for everyone.
The question he couldn’t answer was what exactly did he feel for Stasia? When they departed the boat back in Athens, they’d each go back to their life as though none of this had happened. Wouldn’t they?
Ding.
He removed his phone from his pocket and glanced at the screen. It was Stasia.
Where are you?
I’ve changed my mind. I’m not going.
Then neither am I.
Go ahead. Enjoy yourself. I’ve got work to do.
I’d rather stay with you. I could help.
Go with the family. They adore you. I’ll see you later.
Silence. Then he sent another message.
We okay?
Sure.
Roberto slipped his phone back in his pocket. He started walking. He had no particular destination in mind. Maybe some physical activity would help wear away his frustration.
Time passed slowly. For all of the walking he was doing, he should have gone with Stasia into the city. But he told himself the distance was for the best. Being together day in and day out was confusing things, making this little fantasy they’d concocted seem like reality instead of fiction.
Later, he’d have a talk with Stasia. He’d reaffirm that this thing between them—it couldn’t last. There was no way. He was a sworn bachelor. And she was a widow still mourning her husband. And then there was Xander, who would not be pleased about any of this. Definitely too many hurdles for them to cross.
“Roberto?”
He stopped walking and glanced around, not sure who’d called his name. And then he spotted a young woman waving at him. She looked slightly familiar, but he couldn’t put a name to the face.
She rushed up to him. “Alone at last.”
He wasn’t sure what to say to that, so he pretended he hadn’t heard her. “Do we know each other?”
She smiled at him. “It has been a number of years, but we used to see each other when I visited my grandparents.”
He studied her for a moment. Upon closer look, she did look familiar. It took a moment, but then it came to him. “Little Petra?”
Her smile broadened. “Not so little anymore.”
They hugged. It seemed like forever since he’d recalled those days. Petra’s grandparents used to live down the road from his. A lot had changed since those days, but so much had stayed the same. It was funny how life worked out.
“Did my grandmother invite you on this cruise?” When she nodded, he continued. “I’m so sorry. She had no right to do that.”
Petra shook it off. “It’s no big deal. I needed the vacation. But it sounds like you were holding out on your grandmother. I hear congratulations are in order.”
“Um...thanks.”
She arched a brow. “That doesn’t sound very excited.”
Petra had been cool to hang out with when they were kids. She always seemed to have her life together and there wasn’t any argument she couldn’t win. It only seemed natural she would become a litigator. His grandmother had made sure to keep him up to date on Petra’s accomplishments and the fact that she was still available.
“I should be going,” he said. “It was good to see you again.”
When he started to walk away, she reached out to him. “Wait. That’s it. You’re just going to leave?”
He turned to her. She was still the spitfire he remembered. “Listen, Petra, I have a lot on my mind.”
“Let’s grab some lunch, and if you want, you can talk to me. I’m a pretty good listener.”
He wasn’t sure about opening up to Petra, especially about Stasia, but the thought of sharing a meal and reliving some memories appealed to him. What could it hurt?
* * *
What was up with Roberto?
Why had he insisted she go on this day trip while he remained on the ship?
The questions whirled around in Stasia’s mind as she walked with Roberto’s family to the center of Sibenik. The city had that historic village feel, with monuments representing the past and architecture that had definitely been around for quite a while. There was lots to see and learn, but Stasia was having problems concentrating on what the tour guide was saying. And so she finally bowed out of the group, claiming a headache, which wasn’t far from the truth.
As she made her way back to the boat, she tried to figure out what to say to Roberto. Everything had been fine until they became engaged. With each passing day, it was becoming increasingly complicated.
Obviously Roberto had second thoughts about things—about her. After all, she did come with baggage. She was pretty certain none of the other women he’d dated had been widows.
But the thought of him backing out of her life after all they’d shared was unacceptable. She liked Roberto—really liked him. And she thought he really liked her too.
Maybe things had gotten off track. Maybe he was confused about the kiss at the wedding as much as her. If they talked, they could work things out. She was certain of it.
She went straight to his cabin and knocked on the door. “Roberto, it’s me, Stasia.”
No answer.
She knocked again but didn’t hear a word.
That was strange. She thought he’d been in his room working, but then again, it was a beautiful sunny day. Perhaps he’d decided to move to the deck. So off she went to find him.
She pulled out her phone and texted him.
Am back. Where are U?
There was no response. That was odd.
She kept walking and looking around. Surely he wouldn’t have gone ashore, would he? No. He was very determined to unravel the mystery of those files that his grandfathe
r had given him. He had to be here somewhere—
And then she spotted him. He was smiling. He was laughing.
Her gaze moved across the table at the café to a beautiful woman who was laughing too. And then the woman reached out to Roberto, covering his hand with her own. The breath stilled in Stasia’s throat. What in the world was going on?
Roberto didn’t pull away. Instead he leaned toward the young woman and said something that Stasia couldn’t hear from this distance. He continued to smile and stare into this woman’s eyes.
Something cold and dark churned in the pit of Stasia’s stomach. Her body tensed and her hands clenched. This was why he’d blown her off today?
Why did she think he had changed? He was the same playboy bachelor he’d always been. Playing her besotted fiancé must be killing him with all these single beautiful women on board.
Not wanting to get caught staring at the happy couple, she turned on her heels and headed for her cabin. If he was already moving on from the moment they’d shared, then she needed to do the same. She had a career to settle on—a reason to get out of bed every morning—something to fill the emptiness in her life.
And Roberto obviously had nothing to do with her future.
DAY ELEVEN
Bari, Italy
THE FOLLOWING MORNING had come and gone.
And yet there wasn’t any sign of Stasia.
Roberto was certain she was upset with him for skipping out on the outing yesterday with his family. He didn’t blame her. And if he hadn’t been so conflicted about the chemistry coursing between them, he would have gone with them.
He didn’t know why spending time with Stasia was getting to him. He was thinking about things that he had no business considering where she was concerned—like pulling her into his arms and kissing her until she couldn’t think of anyone but him. And no matter how many times he reminded himself of all the reasons that getting involved with her wasn’t a good idea, when he closed his eyes at the end of the day, it was her face that he saw. And when sleep finally claimed him, she was in his dreams warming his bed.
Wearing the Greek Millionaire's Ring Page 12