I quickly wash. Wanting to look my best for today, I decide to apply makeup. Oh, who am I kidding? This is entirely about Luca. I’d like to put my contacts in, but my eyes are burning today. It has to be my glasses. I’ll just remember to remove them when Luca arrives.
I select one of my new outfits, a baby blue wrap dress that Madeleine talked me into. She said it does wonders for my figure and I decided to believe her. I know she wouldn’t steer me wrong. I unbraid my hair and leave it down, dragging my fingers through it to break up the waves. Finally, I spritz on some perfume and join Madeleine in the kitchen.
“Well, well, look at you.”
I curtsy and laugh. “You said you wanted us to dress up today, so I did.”
“That you did. You look brilliant.”
“Thank you.”
“Have you lost weight?”
“I don’t know. I haven’t weighed myself in ages.”
“That dress seems a bit looser than it was when we bought it.”
“Well, that’s not a bad thing.”
“No, it isn’t.”
We hear a knock at the door and Madeleine giggles. “He’s here!”
“Oh, calm down, Maddie!” I say, laughing as I go to answer the door.
I continue laughing as I open the door and greet my parents and brother. Devon kisses my cheek and hands me a bouquet of flowers.
“What are these for?”
“It’s a celebration. I have some for Maddie, too.”
“Yes, okay. A celebration.”
“We have much to be thankful for today, don’t we?”
“Indeed. Come on in.” I hug and kiss my mum and dad and take their coats.
“It smells delightful in here,” my mum says.
“Thank you. I’ve been up early to roast the turkey. Maddie is making a pie.”
She appears from the kitchen, smiling widely. I’m impressed that she heads straight for my parents instead of Devon. It’s nice to know that in spite of her mad crush on my brother, her manners are still firmly in place.
“So good to see you,” she says to my parents. “I’m tackling a pie in there. Wish me luck.”
“I’m sure it will be lovely, dear,” my dad says.
“Here, Maddie, these are for you,” Devon says, handing her a bouquet. He kisses her cheek and I’m sure I saw her swoon. It makes me giggle.
She shoots me a look and smiles at my brother. “How thoughtful, thank you, Devon.”
“Thank you for you cooking.”
“Would anyone like tea?” I ask.
“Yes, please,” my mum replies.
“I’ll take some,” my dad says.
“Londyn, why don’t you sit with Mum and Dad,” Devon offers. “I’ll make the tea. Maddie will help me, won’t you?” he asks.
“Absolutely,” she says, beaming from ear to ear.
“How are you, dear?” my mum asks as I take my seat. “You look wonderful. Have you lost a bit of weight?”
I run my hand over my tummy. “I think a bit, perhaps.”
“I hope you’re eating well and not starving yourself.”
“Not starving, Mum. I’m good. My job is going very well. In fact, you’ll meet my boss today.”
“Oh, you invited him to supper?”
“No, I left my boodle at work and he was kind enough to offer to bring it by.”
“Left your boodle! Goodness!” my mum exclaims.
“Oh, I know. I nearly died. He assures me he won’t read it, though.”
“Well, I look forward to meeting him. Devon says he was very difficult to handle before meeting you and you’ve calmed him considerably.”
“Yes, I suppose I have.” I take her hand in mine. “He’s really quite nice, though. Just misunderstood.”
“As long as he’s kind to you, dear. That’s all that matters.”
“I agree. How are you feeling, Dad?”
“Oh, good. I’ve lost a few stone,” he says, patting his belly. “I’ve had to give up some treats, but the doctor says my blood pressure has improved.”
“That’s important.” My phone vibrates across the coffee table. I excuse myself to take the call. “Hello?” I answer.
“Happy Thanksgiving,” Luca’s sexy voice says.
“To you as well.”
“How are you today? Did you make it through the night without your boodle?”
“Barely survived, thank you.” I laugh.
“Well, I can be there at about eleven if that works for you.”
“Yes, that will be fine. I really appreciate it.”
“It’s my pleasure. Can I bring you anything?”
“Hmm, no, I think I have it all. Oh!”
“What?”
“I forgot a veg.”
“Oh, well, no problem. I made too much of what I have. How about I bring half of it to you? Do you like Brussels sprouts?”
“I do. Are you sure it’s no trouble?”
“None at all. It’s already made.”
“Well, thank you. That’s very kind.”
“I’m glad I can help.”
“See you soon.”
“You will.”
I hang up and sigh. I wish he didn’t have this effect on me. I wish he were old and ugly and mean, but he is none of those things. He is young and vibrant and gorgeous and kind. Bloody hell.
AFTER I HANG UP with Londyn, I hurry back to the kitchen to put some of my extra vegetables in a new dish for her. I’m glad I can offer this to her. This in addition to her beloved boodle. My heart races knowing I’m going to see her very soon. Even more so to meet her parents. I wish I could pull her father aside and tell him I will take care of his daughter, but of course, that would be ridiculous. It’s very possible she doesn’t even want me to take care of her. Besides, all along it has been her taking care of me.
Pressing the lid on the dish, I stick it in my bag to take to Jake and Priscilla’s. I take a last look around the house and then laugh at myself. I almost forgot the damn book! I hurry back to my study and grab it out of my messenger bag.
In the car, I put in one of my favorite classical CD’s and start the drive to Londyn’s house. On a holiday, it should take me no time at all to get there.
Pulling up in front of Londyn’s place, I look down at my watch. Five minutes to eleven- perfect. I get out, bringing the side dish and the boodle with me. I climb up the stairs to her place and take a deep breath before knocking on her door.
Seconds later, she opens the door and smiles. My breath catches at the sight of her. She looks stunning and she’s wearing glasses I’ve never seen before.
“Hello, Professor,” she says.
“Londyn.”
“Please, come in.”
I walk inside and feel self-conscious as two people, who I assume to be her parents, look up at me from the couch. They smile warmly and I am instantly welcomed.
“Here, let me take the dish,” Londyn offers.
“No, no. Let me take it for you. It’s still very warm.”
“Okay, the kitchen is this way.” She turns to her parents. “I’ll introduce you in a moment.”
The lady nods her head as we pass them on our way to the kitchen. When we walk in, I see Londyn’s brother Devon and her roommate. They look rather intimate from here.
Londyn clears her throat. “Excuse us.”
Devon spins around and smiles. “Ah, hello there. Madeleine was just showing me how to make proper pastry.”
Madeleine grins, but says nothing. Londyn’s eyes shift back and forth suspiciously between them. She isn’t buying it and quite frankly, neither am I.
“Anyway,” Londyn says, “Luca brought a veg. Isn’t that nice?”
“Oh, very nice,” Madeleine says to me. “Are you a cook?”
“I do alright,” I say, setting the dish on the counter.
“He’s a very good cook,” Londyn says. I watch as her brother’s eyebrow goes up.
“Has he cooked for you?” Devon asks.
“Just the time she was helping me with some research,” I interject.
“Yes,” Londyn confirms.
“Will you be joining us today, Professor?” Madeleine asks. “You’re more than welcome.”
“Thank you, but no. I have plans to visit with some friends. I came by to bring Londyn her boodle.”
“That’s sweet of you,” Madeleine says.
“She would do the same for me.”
I glance over at Londyn, who is very quiet, and I desperately want to know what she is thinking.
“Shall we go meet my parents, Professor?” she asks.
“Yes, of course. I’ll see you two around?”
“Definitely,” Madeleine says.
“Professor.” Devon shakes my hand. “I’m glad to hear things are working out well with my sister.”
“Quite well. She’s been a blessing to me.” I look over at Londyn, who blushes. It’s one of her most endearing traits.
“Come on now,” she says and we head back to the living room.
Her parents stand as soon as we enter the room.
“Dad, Mum, this is my boss, Professor Luca Di Roma.”
I extend my hand to her father first. “Pleasure to meet you, Mr. Harper.” Taking her mother’s hand, I plant a gentlemanly kiss on it. “Mrs. Harper.”
She blushes just like her daughter, bringing a smile to my face.
“Nice of you to stop by,” her father says. “Are you joining us?”
“No, I’m afraid I have plans today.”
“Oh, that’s too bad,” her mother says. “We have more than enough. Londyn’s roasting a turkey and we’re having a proper American Thanksgiving.”
Londyn smiles. “Well, I hope it’s proper.”
“It smells very good in here,” I add.
“Stay for a cup of tea?” her mother asks.
“Mum, he has plans. He was nice enough to bring my boodle back.”
“Some other time,” I state.
“But we’re only here a few days,” her mother persists.
“Well, if Londyn doesn’t mind, I could stay for a bit.”
“Of course I don’t mind,” she says softly. “I’ll go check on the tea. Devon was supposed to bring it.”
I sit in the chair next to her parents and wonder what we’ll talk about while Londyn is in the other room.
“Are you from Massachusetts?” her father asks.
“Mostly. I came here as a small child, but I was born in Italy.”
“Oh, you don’t say. What part?”
“Near Florence.”
“I love Florence,” her mother says. “We summer there quite often. Do you go back much?”
“Yes, as often as possible. I have some family there still.”
“And your parents?” her father asks.
“They live here. Cape Cod.”
“Londyn has told us so much about you,” her mother says. “She enjoys working for you very much.”
“She is very competent and bright. You did a fine job raising such a wonderful woman.”
“Well, thank you,” her father says. “We can’t take all the credit, though. She is a headstrong girl and always had her face buried in books. She learned a lot about the world through reading.”
Londyn returns with a tray of cookies, a teapot and cups and saucers. “Are you talking about me?” she asks, smiling.
“What else would we talk about?” her father says.
“The weather. American football. Tryptophan in turkey. Many things.”
I laugh and select a cookie from the tray. Her father picks one and takes a bite.
“These are the best biscuits. I wish we could get them back home,” he says.
“Biscuits?” I ask.
“Yes, that’s what we call cookies,” Londyn clarifies.
“It’s a whole new language,” I add, smiling.
“For us as well.”
I notice as she speaks her accent is stronger than usual, a result of being near her parents, I assume. We sip our tea and chat and although our gathering seems rather formal, I feel very comfortable here. I don’t really want to leave, but I need to. I look up just as Devon and Madeleine come back in the room, looking more than a little guilty.
“You are staying!” Madeleine squeals.
“No, I really can’t. I would love to, but my friends are expecting me.”
“Oh, poo,” she pouts and Londyn laughs.
“I’ll walk you out,” Londyn says. “Otherwise, you’re never getting out of here.”
“Pleasure meeting you,” I say to her parents. “Good to see you both,” I say to Devon and Madeleine. I guide Londyn out the door, but her father stops us.
“Keep an eye on our daughter, Professor,” he says. “It’s hard for us that she is so far away.”
“I plan to, sir.”
Londyn and I walk downstairs quietly. Outside, she offers her lovely smile.
“My parents are rather excitable when they are in the States.”
“They are delightful. It was nice seeing the people responsible for making you.”
“That’s very sweet, Luca. Thank you so much for bringing my boodle back and the veg dish. It smells very good.”
My heart races when I realize she has used my first name again. “My pleasure, Londyn.” We stand awkwardly in front of my car. “It’s cold out here.”
“Is it?” she asks.
“May I say something?”
“Of course.”
“You look very lovely in your glasses. They highlight your eyes.”
“I do?” She touches the bridge. “I don’t like wearing them.”
“Why?”
“I don’t know. Men don’t make passes…” She laughs.
“Then you’ve been hanging around with the wrong men.”
“That much is true.”
I slide my hands in my pockets and stare at the beauty before me. I would love to stay here all day with her. The last thing I want to do is get in this car and drive away. Why can’t I just tell her?
“Londyn…” Say it. Just fucking say it!
“Yes, Luca?”
“Your family is great.”
“I think so, too. Sure you can’t stay?”
“I don’t want to impose and Jake and Priscilla are waiting for me.”
“Why aren’t you spending it with your family?”
“I will see them for Christmas. They’re in Florida now, visiting with my grandmother.”
“I hope you don’t mind my asking.”
“You can ask anything you want of me. You know that by now, no?”
“Yes.”
I lean close to her and whisper in her ear. “I didn’t read your boodle. Although I was mighty tempted.”
She gazes up at me with those gorgeous eyes and grins. “I’m very glad I don’t have to murder you on such a lovely day.” She pretend punches me in the chest. “Thank you for respecting my privacy.”
“You’re welcome. If I ever get to read it, it will be with your permission.”
“Don’t hold your breath,” she says, laughing.
“I won’t. You should go back upstairs. You’ll catch a cold out here.”
“Thank you again.” She extends her arms. “Happy Thanksgiving.”
I pull her close, so thankful for another opportunity to wrap my arms around her. “Enjoy your day. I’ll see you Monday.”
“Yes, you will.”
“Good. I need you.” I smile and do everything in my power to prevent myself from brushing away the hair that blows across her face.
“It’s nice to be needed. Well, see you Monday.”
“Yes. Goodbye, Londyn.”
“Goodbye.”
I watch Londyn walk up the stairs. She turns around and waves. She’s warming up again and maybe I have another chance. If I can just manage not to blow it again.
WILL A DAY EVER come when I don’t get all gushy inside when Luca is around? I walk back up the stairs. I ha
ven’t a clue if it’s cold outside. I could be standing in the middle of a bloody snow bank and it would melt from the heat generating deep within me. I’m hardly excited to face the barrage of questioning from my parents on the other side of the door. If anyone wonders where I get my curious streak, they only need to have one conversation with my parents.
I open the door and do my best to act as though nothing has happened. My mum sits on the edge of the sofa sipping her tea and listening to Madeleine tell crazy single girl stories.
“Ah, Londyn,” my mum says. “Luca is off?”
“Yes.”
She pats the sofa next to her. “Sit with us.”
I take my seat and pick up my boodle that sits on the coffee table, noticing the elastic band keeping it closed. It makes me smile.
“Shame he couldn’t stay a bit longer,” she adds.
“Well, he has his own life, Mummy,” I add. My eyes shift to Madeleine and then to Devon. He gazes at her and smiles. Hmm.
“Dinner should be ready soon,” I announce. “Hope everyone is hungry.”
“I’ll help you in the kitchen,” my mum says.
We walk together and I open the dish Luca brought and smell it. The aroma is amazing. Everything about the man is.
“Luca is a charming man,” my mum comments.
“Yes, he is.”
“You’re in love him, aren’t you?”
“Mum! No!”
“You can tell me. I can see it in your eyes. I’ve never seen you look at a man like that before.”
“He’s my boss, and yes, he’s amazing, but there is nothing there.”
“Londyn,” she says and cups my face. “I know my own daughter.”
Tears begin to well in my eyes and I realize it’s useless to pretend. “It’s hopeless. He’s my boss and he’s most definitely not in love with me.”
“I beg to differ. I saw his eyes, too.”
“It’s not like that. He…”
“What?”
“He doesn’t want to be in love with me or anyone else. At least, I don’t think he does. I’ve spent some time with him and he’s made it clear our relationship is strictly professional.”
“I’m sure he feels he needs to keep it that way, but I am positive I just witnessed a man madly in love with my daughter.”
Londyn Falls Page 25