I bit my lip, but a shiver of excitement hit as Cooper walked me to the Mercedes parked outside. I relaxed in the backseat as I waited for him to finish his last phone call for the day.
* * * *
The driver took us on a winding road through the magnificent Tuscan landscape, and I felt as if we had driven straight into a postcard. Rows of pencil thin cypresses alternated with patches of vines and olive trees and stood like a proud committee welcoming us to the Chianti region.
The windows were open, and I had to hold my hair back as fresh gusts of air whipped through the car. We cascaded though the rolling hills and fields and followed the road towards a moss-covered castle.
When we drove through the wooden vineyard gates, I sucked in the fragrant air. The sweet scent of the grapevines and fresh dirt filled my lungs and energized my body. We stepped out of the car and a middle-aged man who introduced himself as Sal immediately greeted us.
Cooper and I followed Sal down a cobblestone walkway as he told us a little bit about the vineyard’s history. Apparently, the eleventh century castle was a former Florentine fortress used today as a vineyard that churned out wine and olive oil.
We walked underneath a stone archway that led us into a stunning, trellised garden. I was so taken by the creeping vines and delicate flowers overhead that even though Sal had a fairly good grasp on the English language, I had a hard time concentrating on his words. I sniffed the herb and lavender air and half-listened to him as a chorus of birds tweeted around us.
The other side of the trellis opened to a vast field, and my mouth fell open when I saw dab smack in the center of its edge, there was a table set for two. It was covered with a white linen tablecloth and adorned with candles and fresh flowers.
I turned to Cooper. He had his hands in his pockets and pointed his chin in the air.
I closed my mouth and gave him a questioning look. “Is this ... for us?”
“Perhaps,” he said with a slight shrug. He may have been trying to act modest, but the smile on his face was anything but.
I folded my hands across my chest. Times like this had always made me feel special. “This is...” I looked around at the vista of green trees that stood against the plowed, brown fields. “Unbelievable. Really something else.”
“Well, you’re something else.” Cooper took my hand and walked me to the table, where a bottle of champagne rested in a bucket of ice.
“I’ll open that for you, and then after your champagne toast, we’ll be on our way,” Sal called out from behind us.
Cooper pulled out a chair with flourish. “Per favore, signora.”
“Grazie,” I said with a curtsy.
I sat down and smiled as Sal approached the table. He pushed up the sleeves of his white shirt and pulled out the bottle of Prosecco. I noticed his arms were rather tanned, and I guessed it was from spending so much time outside at the vineyard.
I gripped the sides of the chair and locked my arms. It couldn’t get any better than this. “Where might I ask, are we going?”
I sat on the edge of my seat and looked back and forth at the two men. Cooper wore a mysterious smile, and Sal simply winked as he opened the bottle.
“Let’s just say we are going to take this tour to a whole new level,” Cooper answered.
“What do you mean,” I asked.
The cork made a distinctively loud sound as it popped. A small cloud escaped the bottle and disappeared into the air. Sal poured the champagne, and I watched the bubbles dance to the top of the glasses.
“Salute,” Sal said as he handed us the glasses of champagne.
Cooper tapped his against mine. “Cheers, Luce.”
I smiled from behind my glass and sipped the champagne. It tasted fruity and smooth in my mouth.
“Shall we?” Sal said to Cooper.
I sat up a little straighter in the silver chiavari ballroom chair and felt a flutter of excitement and nerves.
“We shall.” Cooper took my hand and helped me rise from the table.
I really felt like a princess. First the clothes and the chauffer, and now I was being wined, dined, and only God knew whatever else was in store. What a day it was turning out to be.
“Will you please tell me where we’re going?” I pleaded with Cooper as a smile stretched wide across my face.
Sal led us around the corner of the castle, where a rainbow-colored hot air balloon awaited.
I felt like someone had punched me in the stomach. “No.” I shook my head and looked at its large, chocolate brown passenger basket. My knuckles turned white around the champagne glass. “Please tell me, we are not going in there.”
“Of course we are.” Cooper gave me a strange look.
“Cooper, we’ve been over this a million times.”
I looked away, took a deep breath, and slowly exhaled. Just the thought alone of going airborne in a basket made my chest feel tight.
“I’m really sorry to burst your balloon,” I said, “but I’ve told you, time and time again, I would never set foot in one of those.”
Cooper looked at me momentarily with a blank stare and then a flicker of recognition crossed his face. “I know that,” he said in a patronizing tone. “But c’mon Luce, look at where we are.” He swept an arm majestically across the field. “You can’t be afraid here.”
“Oh I can’t? A hot air balloon in Italy is still a hot air balloon.” I loosened my grip on the glass for fear it would break in my hand. Hoping to swallow the anger that burned my throat, I took a big sip of champagne.
Cooper looked crestfallen and cast his eyes in Sal’s direction.
“That’s like me saying you can’t be addicted to work here. C’mon, Coop, we’re in Italy,” I mocked.
Sal cleared his throat and stepped forward. “Signora, it’s magnifico. You will love it. I promise.”
“Come on, Luce. I was trying to be romantic,” Cooper said. “You know, make one of those grand gestures.” He looked at me with a pout.
I shifted my stance and took another swig of champagne. Was a grand gesture supposed to make a woman feel sick? I knew he’d meant well, and I certainly didn’t want to spoil the mood, but part of me was upset. Either he had forgotten about, or was just minimizing a great fear of mine. Regardless, I had to stop myself from showing him a grand gesture.
Cooper stood there and tapped his foot. “I’m going to use the bathroom,” he announced. “Try to keep an open mind while I’m gone.”
“Right that way,” Sal said and pointed to a wooden door on the castle.
“Thanks.” Cooper walked off and turned around to face us. He walked backwards towards the castle, with his hands in his pockets. “Hey Sal,” he called out, “I’ll throw you a few extra euros if you can convince that stubborn woman.” He turned back around, and I saw him pull his phone from his pocket.
I sighed and looked at Sal. “I’m sorry. It’s not you. It’s just that this has been an incredible fear of mine. He should know that by now.”
“Signora, men are stupidi. We don’t always think.” He tapped his salt and peppered colored head. “He’s trying to impress. When he called, he kept saying everything had to be perfetto.” Sal pressed his fingers together. I thought you were a nuova coppia?”
I didn’t understand. “New...” I furrowed my eyebrows and stared at Sal.
“Couple?” he finished.
“Oh. Well, that’s debatable. We’re an old couple that’s well, maybe about to be new again? Who knows...” I muttered.
“There’s a saying. Tutto il vecchio e nuovo anchora.” He pulled on his lips as he paused to think. “Everything old is new again.”
I nodded and ran my hands through my hair. In the distance, I could see a few men picking grapes. My mind wandered back to the day I’d spent with Simon.
Sal reached over and tapped my head. “Don’t listen here. Listen here.” He thumped on his chest.
I wondered if he had read my mind, but then realized we were still talking about Coo
per.
“And if that don’t work, then here.” He pressed his fingers into his stomach. “Il stomaco never lies. So what do you think?” He pointed at the balloon.
I placed a hand on my churning stomach. “My stomach says....”
“Eh, fuggedabout the stomaco,” Sal said with a wave. “Trust me. Make a memory.”
I took a deep breath and saw Cooper walking towards us. He paused at our table and grabbed the bottle of champagne. I readjusted my bandeau and reminded myself that Cooper was just trying to give me a perfect day. This was his way of trying to win me over. Besides, wasn’t this trip about breaking out of my comfort zone? I was in the midst of downing the last of my champagne when Cooper rejoined us.
“Just in case,” he said, waving the half-empty bottle in the air. He looked at Sal and then at me, as if trying to get a sense of the situation.
“I hope you have another one for yourself,” I said with a tight smile and grabbed the bottle from his hand. “Let’s do it.”
“To new beginnings,” Sal exclaimed as he helped refill my glass.
Twenty minutes later, I clung to Cooper as we ascended into the sky. With a hand over my eyes, I peered between my fingers for a one-eyed peep show as we drifted over old churches, farmhouses, and fields of green and dirt. Even scared out of my mind, it was pretty exhilarating to see Tuscany from that vantage point. I let my viewing window get bigger and bigger, and by the time we touched ground an hour later, my eyes were fully uncovered. I’d survived.
Sal escorted us back to our table for a champagne brunch, and I was insatiable as we devoured the fresh cheeses, jams, and pastries. Anxiety had always caused me to overindulge, and I wasn’t sure whether I was trying to fill a hole of post-traumatic stress syndrome or simply celebrating the fact that I had faced a fear. My feet were back on the ground, and I felt a sense of triumph.
After a wine tour, where we learned about the fermentation process and how wine is made from vine to bottle, Cooper and I lingered in the tasting room. Between all the champagne we had and then the wine, I was feeling more than comfortably numb. We sat on bar stools and faced each other, our knees lightly touching.
A plate of green grapes sat beside us on the table. Cooper plucked one from the bunch and held it out to me. “Grape?” Without waiting for me to answer, he popped it in my mouth.
“You know what,” I said once I finished chewing, “I think you’re kind of like a grape.” I nodded at my own revelation.
“A grape?” Cooper looked bewildered. “Are you talking about a mature one that’s finely wrinkled and plump? Or one that’s immature? Hard, but small?”
I opened my mouth to answer, but he held a hand up. “Stop right there. I don’t think I want to hear the answer to this. I may be buzzed, but I have feelings.” He laughed and took a sip of his red wine.
“Oh, shut up,” I chuckled. I took a few grapes and stuffed them into his mouth. Cooper may have shown a little insensitivity with the balloon ride, but when all was said and done, I felt as if I were still flying high on top of the world.
“What I meant was, like a grape, there are times when you’re a bit sour and hard to swallow, but on the inside, well, you’re pretty sweet.”
“Thanks.” Cooper cocked his head to the side and gave me a look. “I think?” He slid my wine glass aside and picked up my hand that had been resting on the table. “No more wine for you, missy. I’m cutting you off.”
I gave his hand a reassuring squeeze. “What I said wasn’t a bad thing. I think the same could be said for our day here in Chianti. At first it had a tough skin and a bitter bite, but it ended with a real sugary finish.”
“I knew you would enjoy yourself once you let go,” he said. “I’m glad you had fun, and I’m proud of you.” He tapped his glass against mine. “And, while we are drawing grape comparisons, I have to say, you my dear are like a fine wine. You only get better, not to mention bolder with age.”
“Ew.” I tucked my hair behind my ears and looked into his eyes. “You are so cheesy.” I raised my eyebrows, “The balloon ride was pretty much thrust upon me. I didn’t want to hurt your feelings.”
He placed a finger on my lips and leaned towards me. “I see that you’ve sweetened with age, too.”
I couldn’t help but smile as he lightly brushed his lips against mine.
“Now, what do you think?” he murmured.
“Still cheesy,” I teased. “However, if you were a wine, I would say ... somewhat aggressive, very smooth, and...”—I tapped my finger on my lips and leaned towards him again—“I think I’d like another taste.”
* * * *
“Well, I guess this is goodbye,” Cooper said, squeezing my knee.
The car stopped in front of my pensione. We were right back where we started, yet mentally a lot had changed over the past four hours. The awkwardness between us was gone, and things were heading in a good direction. We held hands the entire ride back, and I rested my head on Cooper’s shoulder in a buzzed state of bliss.
“It doesn’t have to be goodbye, you know.” I turned my head to look up at him.
“Ah, I thought you would never ask,” he said with a wink. “I would love to come upstairs with you.” He traced my knee with his finger.
“That’s not what I meant.” I swatted his hand away.
Cooper grabbed my hand, kissed it, and then gazed into my eyes. “Well, what did you mean? Luce, there is nothing I would love more than to spend the rest of the day and night with you.”
Nerves fluttered in my stomach, and a titter escaped me. All day I had been feeling like I was back together with my best friend, and while it was fun kissing Cooper at the vineyard, I didn’t quite have a burning desire to rip his clothes off. I chalked it up to jitters and figured that the lust would kick in eventually.
“How about you come in, I’ll change into something a little more comfortable...” I paused as Cooper nodded his head enthusiastically. “Then maybe we can grab a bite and come back here to hang?”
I noticed a slight frown cross his face.
“Maybe do a little snuggling?” I quickly added. “Get reacquainted?” More than anything, I had really missed sharing my bed with someone.
“How about we just go back to my hotel? Twelve hundred count bedding, pillow top mattress, a towel warmer...a towel warmer, Luce. Need I say more?”
I paused and looked at him thoughtfully. I had somehow managed to forget that the Cooper I had pined away for had a tendency to whine.
“Oh, just come in.” I stepped out of the car gracefully, offered Cooper my hand, and pulled him out to the street. “Let’s pretend we just met and you don’t have a high horse to come down from.”
“Ooh, role play. I like that.”
“You’re hopeless.” I shook my head.
“And you’re sexy,” he murmured, leaning towards me to give me a kiss. I turned my head and his lips landed on my cheek.
“Not here.” I looked around the street, half expecting Tess and Landon to be there. I had texted Tess from the vineyard, but I conveniently neglected to say that Cooper was with me.
“If not here, then where? We’re in Italia, bella.” With that, he put his arm around my waist and dipped me low to the ground.
“What are you doing?” I cried.
“Pretending I don’t know you. Isn’t that what you wanted?”
I looked into his eyes and saw a playful glimmer.
“Alcohol suits you,” I said, after he had tipped me back up to standing.
I felt woozy from the blood that had rushed to my head and held onto his arm to steady myself. I looked around and saw a few faces staring at us from the front window of the pensione.
“I can’t remember the last time you were this relaxed,” I mused.
“Life is good.” Cooper smiled, grabbed my hand, and we walked into the pensione.
As soon as we got through the door, the first thing I saw was Tess. I could’ve sworn my heart stopped. I squeezed Cooper’s han
d so tight he yanked his hand away immediately.
“Jesus Christ, Lucy. What the hell?” Cooper whispered, shaking his hand.
I pointed my chin towards Tess. She had been pouring sugar into her coffee, and the frozen smile on her face was far from sweet. She looked at us like she had just seen the walking dead. At that moment, I wished I had told her about the ghost of my love life’s past. I cracked my knuckles.
Tess put down the coffee and walked towards me.
“Hi,” I said softly.
“Hi, Aunt Lu,” she said cautiously. “Hi, Cooper.” Tess gave him a closed-lipped smile.
“Hi, Tess.”
If Cooper noticed Tess’s lack of warmth, he certainly didn’t indicate it. He leaned in to give her a hug, and I could actually see her body tense. He cast me a look over her shoulder. The three of us stood there and awkwardly stared at each other.
“Ahem,” I heard from the other side of the room. I looked over at the window and saw Mark, of all people, standing there.
I squinted in confusion. “Mark?”
I looked at Tess. “What’s he doing here?”
“I’m sorry,” Tess said quietly. She twisted her fingers and chewed her bottom lip.
“Why should you be sorry? You’re not the only one who owes an explanation. Cooper, I’ll be right back.”
Cooper nodded as I took a hold of Tess’s hand. She held up a finger to Mark. The guys stood on opposite ends of the room as I led Tess back toward the entryway.
Tess looked at me with pleading eyes. “Aunt Lu, I really should’ve minded my own business.”
“Please,” I said dismissively. “I was going to tell you about Cooper but...” I paused. “Wait, what do you mean you should’ve minded your own business?”
Tess looked towards the couch and I followed her gaze, until my eyes landed on the infamous Yankee hat. I was suddenly sober and stood breathless with a hand over my mouth.
“Oh my God,” I mumbled from under my hand. I shook my head in disbelief and walked closer to get a better look.
Cooper rejoined me and placed a gentle hand on my arm. “Is everything alright?” His were eyebrows furrowed, and he took a step closer towards me.
I bit my knuckle and took a step back as I nodded.
Tales From a Broad Page 22