‘I certainly do. Would it help to talk about it?’
He sighed, then visibly deflated before her eyes. ‘No. I don’t think so. It’s just life, isn’t it? Ups and downs all the time, especially where families are involved.’
‘I’m sorry.’
‘It’s certainly not your fault, Sophia. You are definitely one of my ups.’
‘I’m glad to hear that. But you can tell me what’s going on if you want to. As you know, my own family have been hiding things and that’s about to blow up.’
He nodded. ‘Tell you what, we’re in a lovely restaurant about to have a five-star meal. I have the best – and most beautiful – company I’ve enjoyed in ages. So let’s make a deal not to talk about families while we’re here. Tomorrow, we can talk about them all we like, but for tonight…’ He raised his glass.
Sophia clinked her glass against his. ‘Tonight we will just enjoy.’
‘Cheers!’
‘Saluti!’
‘Are we celebrating something special?’ the waiter asked as he brought two dishes to the table. ‘Something romantico, perhaps?’
Sophia lowered her eyes. ‘Uh… no.’
‘Don’t be shy!’ he said. ‘Italy is a very romantic place and Verona is a city for lovers. I will return with the rest of your meal in un attimo.’
‘Well that told us, right?’ Joe said, his eyes luminescent in the candlelight.
‘Told us what exactly?’
‘To enjoy some romance while we’re here.’
‘He did indeed.’
‘And here is the rest of your food. Would you like anything else?’ the waiter asked when he reappeared as he adjusted the white napkin over his arm.
‘No, this looks incredible, grazie,’ Joe replied. ‘Sophia?’
‘I’m fine, thank you.’
‘Then one more thing, sir.’ The waiter was joined by a colleague who handed Joe a rose.
‘For me?’ Joe covered his heart. ‘You shouldn’t have.’
‘No…’ The waiter laughed, then nodded at Sophia.
‘Oh!’ Joe smiled. ‘I think this is for you, Sophia.’
He held out the rose and Sophia accepted it.
‘You make a bellisimo couple,’ the waiter said, then ushered his companion away.
Sophia placed the red rose on the table next to her plate.
‘We make a bellisimo couple. What do you think about that, Sophia?’
‘I can see that.’
‘Me too. It almost makes you think that perhaps this could have been…’
‘More?’
‘Than just a summer fling.’
‘But it can’t, right?’
He took a sip of his wine, then lowered the glass. When he met her eyes again, she saw uncertainty in his gaze.
‘I guess not. That’s what we agreed.’
‘Our lives are too complicated at the moment. We both have things we need to sort out.’
‘We do.’
They fell silent and Sophia’s mind raced as she desperately tried to work out what Joe was feeling. She’d never been good at interacting socially and had certainly never experienced the feelings Joe evoked in her. Did he want more from her than they’d initially agreed? Could this go somewhere, then? Be more than just a holiday romance?
‘I’m starving!’
Joe’s announcement dragged her from her thoughts. He was trying to move them on, possibly regretting what he’d said.
‘Tuck in then.’ And she didn’t want to ruin the brief time they had together by filling it with ‘what ifs’.
They shared the three dishes they’d ordered, swapping plates at intervals and oohing and aahing over the rich garlicky tomato sauce, the tender chicken and al dente linguine. The sweet fragrance of the fresh basil sprinkled over the tomato dish was delicious and reminded Sophia of the kitchen at her parents’ restaurant. There was so much to enjoy about Italy and she found herself wishing she could stay longer.
‘I can’t believe I ate so much.’
They had cleared their plates and Sophia was stuffed.
‘It’s good food. I could eat more though.’
‘You could?’
‘Dessert is a must.’
While their plates were taken away, they perused the menu and even though Sophia was full, she knew she had to try a dessert. After all, how many times would she have the opportunity to eat at a restaurant in Verona?
‘My Italian is not as fluent as it should be having Italian parents,’ Sophia mumbled. ‘This sounds nice but I’m not entirely sure what it is.’
‘Which one?’
‘The… tortino di pere e pinoli con pralina alla nocciola.’
‘Hold on…’ Joe frowned for a moment, then said, ‘It’s pear and pine nuts, I think. With…’
‘Some sort of praline?’
‘Yes… Hazelnut praline.’
‘Yum. I’ll have that.’
‘I’m spoilt for choice.’
‘Between what?’
‘Torta al cioccolatos fondente con gelato al cioccolato e salsa di scorze di arancia, which I think is basically chocolate fudge ice cream with chocolate sauce and orange peel, or…’ He ran his finger over the menu. ‘Tiramisu.’
‘The first one sounds delicious but you can’t beat a good tiramisu.’
‘Hmmm…’ He stroked his chin as if struggling to decide.
‘Order them both.’
‘That would be greedy and you’d think I was a pig.’
‘No I wouldn’t. You’re just enjoying the day.’
‘You persuaded me. Perhaps we can even find a way to work it off later…’
‘I’m sure we can think of something.’
They ordered desserts and coffees and Sophia listened as Joe pointed out the dishes on the menu that his uncle’s hotel restaurant also served.
‘I know how to make a lot of them now.’
‘Lucky you.’
‘I’ll make some for you one day if you like.’
‘One day?’
‘Yes.’
Joe leaned over and opened the rucksack. Sophia thought about what he’d just said. One day… Wasn’t that just something vague that people said when they knew there was no chance they’d see someone again? Or had Joe meant it? Would he actually invite her to dinner when they were back in the UK and cook for her? The more time she spent with him, the more she was starting to hate the idea of never seeing him again. He was so vibrant, energetic and alive and his energy was addictive. He made her feel that there could be so much more to life.
‘Smile!’ He pointed the camera at her.
‘Oh no…’ She covered her face. ‘Not now.’
‘I want some pictures of you in here.’
‘I look terrible. My hair’s all over the place.’
‘It’s lovely. Very beach ready.’
‘Aha!’ The waiter had returned. ‘Here are your desserts. Would you like me to take a photograph of you together?’
‘That would be great.’ Joe got up and came around the table and crouched next to Sophia. He slid his arm around her waist and pulled her closer. As the waiter told them to smile and the camera clicked away, Sophia tried to ignore the heat that came from Joe’s proximity and to stop her heart beating faster as she breathed in his scent.
But she failed.
She found herself turning towards him, taking in his strong jaw and his broad shoulders, and…
‘That’s it… Give him a kiss!’
Joe turned to her. She was so close that their lips brushed. As if it was a sign, Sophia pressed her mouth against Joe’s, not caring where they were as they kissed for the second time that day. Joe froze for a moment, then kissed her back, holding her head and bringing her closer to him.
‘I think there’ll be a proposal this evening,’ the waiter said, his voice warm filled with laughter.
Joe gently released Sophia but he held her with his green gaze. ‘I guess I got carried away on the moment there. Again.’
‘Let’s have one more picture with the lady holding the rose.’
Joe handed the flower to Sophia and she smiled again for more photographs, wishing that Joe would kiss her again. Although, simultaneously, another part of her hoped he wouldn’t. Because she was slowly losing control.
Joe was making his way into her heart, breaking down the walls she’d subconsciously built growing up to protect herself from the pain others could cause, and it absolutely terrified her. It was as if she was unravelling like a ball of string dropped from a skyscraper.
*
When they left the restaurant, it was gone eight-thirty and much cooler outside, as if the rainstorm had cleared away some of the afternoon’s heat and humidity. Joe secured the rucksack on his back then automatically reached for Sophia’s hand. She let him take it as if it was the most natural thing in the world.
And it should be, after that kiss! He couldn’t believe it had happened in a busy restaurant as a waiter took photographs of them, but he’d been overwhelmed by the need to hold her. Sophia’s warmth, the softness of her body as he’d put his arm around her and her incredible vanilla-peach perfume all made him inclined to act on impulse. Add to that the waiter’s encouragement and it was game over for him: no more resistance. He was hooked.
Sophia made him feel as if everything would be all right. He wasn’t used to that, had never experienced it before, and he knew he should be erecting emotional barriers to keep her out but he just didn’t want to. He found it hard to believe that Sophia would be capable of hurting him or that she would be capable of hurting anyone.
They walked carefully across the cobbled ground, gazing around them at the colourful buildings and then at the amphitheatre itself. It was an amazing monument to the past, rooted in the first century yet entwined with modern life and the passing of time.
‘Joe, I’m so excited about going in there.’
‘Me too. I can’t believe how old it is and how long it’s been there. Imagine what things have played out inside and what the walls would say if they could talk.’
She squeezed his hand. ‘I bet there are some terrible things.’
‘Oh there were, like gladiator games and, apparently, it was once a house for prostitutes. But there have been good things too. And lots of music.’
The exterior of the arena consisted of two tiers of arches built out of what looked like pink and cream limestone. The bottom arches had iron gates across them and some of these bore bright red posters with information about current and future shows, as well as details of where to buy tickets.
‘Do we need to buy tickets?’
‘Got them already. I printed them at home. So if you’re ready we can head inside and find somewhere to sit.’
‘We don’t have reserved seats?’
He shook his head. ‘I thought that sitting on the stone steps would enhance the experience. Make it feel more authentic. However perhaps we should buy some of those cushions that vendor is selling over there. I don’t know about you but I think my behind will complain if it’s subjected to cold hard stone all night.’
They went over to the stall and selected two of the flat cushions with handles. One was purple and one was blue and each one had a print of the amphitheatre on it.
‘Right, let’s go watch an opera,’ Joe said as he tucked the cushions under one arm and slipped the other one around Sophia’s back. She stepped closer to him and he felt her arm slide around his waist and her hand take hold of his shirt at the base of his spine.
Something inside him loosened, as if he’d had a knotted rope there, and somehow, the knot was no longer so tight.
*
Sophia found it hard not to jump around with excitement. The inside of the Arena de Verona was even more spectacular than the exterior. Rows and rows of stone steps lined the walls while in the middle were rows of red seats. It was huge. Atmospheric. And exhilarating.
Joe led her in the direction of the stage at the far end. ‘We have to go higher up as we don’t have numbered seats but I thought it would be better anyway for the view. We can also get a look at the city outside then as dusk falls. If that’s okay with you? Unless you have a preference… I could always see if we can exchange the tickets for the central seats if you’d like? There are probably some spare.’
‘No, Joe. I like your idea best.’
He smiled and his face lit up.
Again, Sophia wondered how he was so perfectly thoughtful. He left nothing to chance, nothing unconsidered and it was nice for her to enjoy being looked after for a change. He’d made it clear that he respected her and her opinions and that if she had a different wish, then he would go along with it, so she didn’t feel that he was controlling or overpowering. She was just happy to enjoy letting him take the lead. And the way he always seemed pleased if he did something she approved of made her heart ache for him. Was this wonderful man not used to having his suggestions accepted or approved of? Had he been let down or hurt in the past?
Sophia wanted to get to know him a whole lot better. But she wouldn’t pry tonight. Because they had sworn to focus on enjoying the experience. And that was what she intended to do.
*
‘I’m going to use the toilet. I knew I should have gone before we came up here. Won’t be long.’ Joe flashed her a smile before descending the stone steps.
Sophia took Joe’s camera from the rucksack. As she was waiting, she thought she might try to snap a few photographs of the arena while it was still light. She switched it on and a photograph appeared on the viewing screen.
Her heart fluttered.
Her stomach flipped.
And she sighed.
The waiter had captured her and Joe engaged in their very passionate kiss. She flicked back through the photographs and found that the waiter had taken several as they’d cuddled then kissed and each one suggested they were a loving couple. Anyone who didn’t know them might even believe that they were, in fact, about to become engaged – as the waiter had suggested.
There were others of her that Joe had taken that day, as well as some of him in the courtyard at Juliet’s house. She kept going backwards, admiring photographs Joe had taken of Malcesine and the lake, of his uncle’s hotel and…
Who was that?
She froze as she stared at the beautiful young woman on the screen. Her skin was golden, emphasised by her tiny white shorts and turquoise vest top, her white blonde hair long and luscious, her legs never-ending. Her bright blue eyes sparkled at the camera and she had that air of confidence that only women who are truly happy in their own skin have. She even had a tiny smattering of freckles on her button nose that gave her a cuteness factor.
Sophia looked up from the camera and around the arena, suddenly feeling she needed to ground herself. What was wrong with her? This was Joe’s camera and if he had photographs of gorgeous women on it then that was up to him. She had no claim on him at all. So they’d agreed to spend some time together and shared a few kisses, but he’d even spoken briefly about a woman named Charlotte. Perhaps this was her! Or perhaps there were more women and Charlotte was one of many. Joe was a very attractive man and he had every right to see whoever he wanted to.
He wasn’t even actually dating Sophia – they had made no long-term commitment to each other – so why wouldn’t he see other women?
Then why was her heart pounding and her hands shaking as she lowered her eyes to the screen again?
And though she knew she shouldn’t; she continued to flick back through the photographs. This time, she found pictures of the beautiful blonde in the castle, smiling as the wind whipped her hair about. Then there she was in a cafe, her legs stretched out in front of her as she poked her tongue out and crossed her eyes. Another showed her in the lake, water up to her shoulders, her wet hair gleaming
as she grinned for the photo looking exactly like a Bond girl.
So different from Sophia.
She turned the camera off and stuffed it back into the rucksack.
A bitter taste filled her mouth and she buried her head in her hands. What was she to do now? It was her own fault. She’d allowed herself to like Joe, to trust him and to believe that he could actually like her too. But he must have been teasing her with his kisses and compliments, or maybe it was just his way. Maybe he wasn’t teasing but was like that with all women. And Sophia would just be another woman on his camera, another memory for him to enjoy, another summer fling—
‘Sophia?’
She jumped and sat up.
‘What is it? Are you ill?’
He sat next to her and pushed her hair behind her ear, then rested his hand on her shoulder. It was warm and strong and a lump rose in her throat. Why had this happened? Why was life so unfair? Just moments ago, everything had seemed so positive. Joe had appeared to be the perfect man, the ideal friend and companion with the possibility of more – but perhaps that had been in her imagination, her reading into things more than was actually there – but now… Now Sophia knew different. Joe was involved with someone else, a woman far more beautiful than Sophia and much younger too. Sophia couldn’t compete with that, she would have her heart broken for sure. So she wouldn’t even try.
‘No I’m fine. I was just resting. I…’ Tell him! ‘I, uh… I had a look through the photographs on the camera.’ Her mouth was dry, her heart beating so hard she thought she might faint.
‘And?’ His smile was genuine. ‘Good so far?’
He didn’t appear to be concerned.
Was he hiding it or had he forgotten that he’d kept photographs of another woman?
‘Yes. Very good. Very… beautiful.’
‘Great.’ He nodded, then retrieved the camera. ‘Well let’s take some more this evening, shall we?’
Sophia swallowed her disappointment. She was too much of a coward to confront him over it. But then she felt she had no right. And perhaps, by some amazing stroke of luck, that woman was just a friend.
And they were here, in Verona, about to watch the first opera she had ever seen. She could create a fuss over the blonde but what would be the point? It would ruin the evening, she would probably get upset and their summer would likely be ruined. Surely it would be better if she kept quiet about it for now, then after this evening, she’d just cool things off with Joe. After the way her feelings towards him had been developing, it would probably be for the best.
Love at the Italian Lake Page 17