“And little Connor as the ring bearer,” Maggie said. “He’s my nephew. He’ll be twenty-one months old when we get married. Pity we didn’t have a little niece in the family to be a flower girl.”
Rose’s mouth dried. She grabbed her glass of water and swallowed a gulp. “So, Davis…” She cleared her throat and tried again. “Who are all your groomsmen?”
“My best friend, Jonathan will be my best man. Because none of Maggie’s sisters are involved with anyone, the others will be two close friends and two cousins. I’d like you to be a groomsman, too, Joseph.”
Joseph’s face lit up. “Are you serious?”
Exactly her sentiments. Why would Davis even entertain the idea of having his fashion designer as a groomsman? Didn’t he have other closer friends, or family?
Rose fidgeted with the serviette in her lap, the high of the tranquilizer beginning to wear off. She focused her gaze on her future brother-in-law. She might not have met Davis until last night, but her sisters hadn’t missed the chance to fill her in about his history. And his family’s history. She drew in a breath. Nothing like grabbing the bull by the horns. “What about your younger brother? Can’t you find him? I mean…this is important. This is your wedding.” If his brother would pop back on the scene, hopefully Joseph would be out of the groomsmen running. Knowing Maggie, she’d think it an excellent idea to pair off the dressmaker and the tailor.
Releasing a heavy sigh, Davis looked from Rose to Maggie, and then back again. “We don’t even know if Paxton is alive or dead. Searching for him for over a year has proven futile.”
“We could pray,” Rose ventured. “I believe in miracles.”
Davis smiled at her. “So do I.” He turned his gaze and his smile to Maggie. “I have one right beside me.”
“Well, take me off the groomsmen list if you get your miracle.” Joseph took a sip of wine. “I won’t be offended.”
“Nonsense,” Maggie said. “We’ll just add another bridesmaid. I know, Jayne, my faithful assistant. Besides my sisters, she’s my closest friend.”
Groan, another dress. Rose pursed her lips and released a soft sigh. Why had she opened her mouth?
She straightened in her chair and rested her hands on the table, gathering herself. She’d get through this. Somehow. Her siblings might think her the softie in the family, the weakest, most timid one. And despite her own insecurities about not being the cleverest, the most successful, the most creative, or the prettiest...she had strength none of them knew of. She could, and she would, make it past December 31st in one piece. As would the gown of the year, six or seven bridesmaids dresses, and the groom and bride’s mothers’ outfits.
Chapter Three
JOSEPH SMOOTHED HIS TONGUE OVER his lips before dabbing them with the white linen serviette. That was the tastiest rib-eye steak he’d ever eaten. He’d barely positioned his knife and fork side-by-side on his plate, when a waiter swooped in and removed the empty dish.
He glanced at Rose, picking at her meal, and leaned toward her. “Fish no good?” With this restaurant’s reputation, he couldn’t see how that was possible.
She shook her head. “The salmon’s delicious. I’m no longer hungry. I shouldn’t have had that appetizer.”
She should have only had the appetizer. Always did eat like a little bird. Peck. Peck. Peck. No wonder she remained so petite.
He should stop looking her way so much, but he couldn’t help himself.
“And that? What’s wrong with my fish?”
The voice drew Joseph’s gaze to the light-auburn beauty with a wide smile who placed her hands on the back of Rose’s chair. On the top left corner of her white chef’s jacket, a single word was embroidered.
Clover.
So this was the little cook of the family.
Rose’s head snapped around. “Clover!” She dumped her linen serviette on the table beside her plate and pushed to her feet. Turning, she wrapped her arms around Clover in a hug. When she released her sister, Rose turned back to the table. “Insane to think we work and live in the same city and barely see each other.”
“That’s because we’re both always too busy.” Clover hurried to the opposite side of the table, arms open wide.
Maggie waited to fold her in another hug.
“We live in the same city, and we don’t ever see each other.” Joseph smiled and waggled his brows at Rose as she sank back into her seat.
His comment brought a guffaw from Davis. “Good one. You won’t be able to say that for much longer, and likely by the time of our wedding, you’ll be sick of each other.”
“I hope not!” Maggie turned to Joseph. “As you’ve already gathered, this is our little sister and culinary queen, Her Royal Icing Highness, Clover Blume.”
Joseph pushed his chair back and stood. He smiled and bowed low. “Your Royal Icingness.”
Clover laughed. “Royal Icingness? I like that. And you are?”
“I’m sorry. Where are my manners?” Maggie gestured to Joseph. “This is Davis’s clothing designer, Joseph Digiavoni, but you might know him simply as JoDi.”
Clover’s eyes widened, and her hand covered her mouth. “Oh–my–word. Not the JoDi—Italian fashion mogul?”
Both Joseph and Maggie nodded.
“I didn’t know this was your other guest.” Clover rested her hand on Joseph’s forearm. “I absolutely love your clothes.”
Joseph’s grin spilled to a chuckle. “And I loved your rib-eye steak.”
Clover leaned closer. “You and I need to talk. We could trade—clothes for rib-eyes?” She raised her brows.
“Sounds like a good deal.” Especially at the price of a steak in this establishment. But, she probably thought the same about the cost of his clothing.
Joseph’s gaze flicked to Rose. She blinked hard and fast before shifting her glistening eyes from him to Davis, and then Maggie. Had the light banter between him and Clover upset her?
Clover released his arm and swung back round to Maggie. She looked past her. “This must be your fiancé.”
Davis rose from his seat
“Hello, future brother-in-law.” Clover stepped past Maggie and nearly bowled Davis over with her hug. “It’s so good to finally meet you.”
“You, too,” Davis said. “You’ll definitely see a lot more of Maggie and me at this restaurant. Best rib-eye ever.”
“Salmon.” Maggie grinned as she took her seat again.
Guessing it wouldn’t be bad manners to sit down now, Joseph followed her example.
Davis sat, too.
“I take it then you all enjoyed your meal?” Without waiting for an answer, Clover focused on Rose and pouted. “Except for Rose.”
“I–I did enjoy the meal, Clover. Really. I just wasn’t hungry anymore.”
Clover’s face softened. “I’m joking with you, Rose. Don’t worry about it. Happens to me all the time…losing my appetite. Especially when I’m on a bad blind date.” She glanced at Joseph. “Not that that’s your problem.”
Rose shook her head. “Oh no, we’re not on a date. This is business…wedding stuff.”
Clover held up her hands. “You don’t have to explain.” With a grin she clasped the backs of Davis and Maggie’s chairs and leaned forward. “What about dessert? Can I tempt anyone with something sweet?” She raised her gaze to Rose. “If you don’t want a lot, I can recommend the minty Italian Kisses. They’re to die for.”
Would Rose really think so? Probably not if her thoughts had detoured from bite-sized chocolate encrusted ice cream to the kisses they’d shared in Tuscany.
Rose caught him staring. Again. He really needed to find something else to focus his attention on during this dinner. But that was difficult. There was only one place he was drawn to. Her.
“I— Please excuse me.” Rose shoved to her feet, grasped her small clutch bag, and made her way to the exit. She disappeared through the door.
“What did I say? Do?” Puzzlement washed over Clover’s face as
she shook her head.
“I’ll go and check on her. She’s been a little…different tonight.” Maggie pushed back her chair and started to rise. “Perhaps she’s just tired. I know she’s been working hard on a Lady Hamilton’s dress.”
“I’ll go.” Joseph rose from his seat. “You know what it’s like in families. Sometimes a sibling is the reason for another being upset, often over something small. I should know—I have eleven brothers and a sister.” He flashed a smile. “I’m sure you’re aware of the stereotyped large, traditional Italian family… Well, the Digiavonis still hold to the old ways.”
Half standing, Maggie leaned forward on the table. Small wrinkles formed between her eyes. “Are you sure you’re the right person to go? She barely knows you.” She couldn’t hide her desire to be the one running after Rose.
But he was the only one around this table who knew what Rose’s problem really was.
Him.
“If nothing else, Rose and I can talk fashion which would likely take her mind off whatever is bothering her.” Joseph wrapped his fingers around Rose’s coat and slid it from the back of her chair. He turned to follow her escape route.
Outside the sun had just set. Despite the cool night air, several people milled about the walkway that hugged the Thames. It took a few seconds for Joseph to spot Rose standing close to the balustrade beneath one of the tall lamps that formed part of the divide between dry land and the water below. A myriad of lights lit the view across the river. To the right, Tower Bridge stood tall and majestic. And slightly to the left, the oval-shaped tower that was home to JoDi.
The sight before his eyes was magical. The lights were quite spectacular, too. He eyed Rose’s shapely stockinged legs, the high-heels accentuating her calves. Joseph moved his gaze to her hourglass figure and the black sands of time coloring both the top and bottom of the curved form. He knew that style. Versace. Pity the dress hugging her body wasn’t one of his designs.
“You shouldn’t be alone out here in the cold.” He draped her coat over her shoulders.
She started, gasping audibly. Her clutch bag fell from her hand onto the gray paving, spilling the contents. Something rolled away from the open bag.
Joseph went down on his haunches to retrieve the bag and its contents.
Rose fell to her knees beside him, seeming not to care about her stockings, high-heels, and tight, above-the-knee dress.
His hand wrapped around the runaway item before she could catch it.
“Give me that.” She reached for his hand.
Joseph stretched his arm farther from her, turning his palm toward him. The bottle of pills staring back sent alarm bells in return.
He looked at Rose and swallowed hard. “You’re on tranquilizers? Why?”
“Give that to me. Please.” Hot tears pricked Rose’s eyes as she held out her hand. Keep it together. If she broke down now in front of him, she might never stop crying. She might tell him everything, too. And she couldn’t have that happen. He’d hate her. Rose couldn’t bear that. Dealing with her own self-loathing was hard enough.
Why didn’t she have the wisdom then that she had today?
And why hadn’t her lipstick rolled out her bag instead?
Her eyes fixed on his. What must be going through his mind right now? Confusion? Shock? Disgust? Judgement? Pity?
So hard to tell. Any one of those emotions could explain the look on his face.
Joseph glanced back to his hand. Without a word, he placed the bottle on Rose’s palm. He folded her fingers around it and whispered, “Does this have anything to do with Tuscany?”
Despite being out in the fresh air, Rose struggled for breath. She broke both her hand and gaze free, and then shoved the pills back into her bag. She pushed to her feet.
Joseph scooped up her coat that had fallen from her shoulders in her scurry to retrieve her secret. He straightened, standing a head taller than her despite her heels. He wrapped the coat around her again and smoothed it over her shoulders. Taking Rose by the arm, he led her to the balustrade where he leaned his forearms on the round metal railing and clasped his hands together. He stared across the river.
As did she.
Joseph breathed out a heavy sigh. “Do you think fate brought us together again tonight? I mean, what are the odds of my best client and your sister meeting through their own strange twist of fate, and then wanting us to work together on their wedding outfits?”
Fate? No. She didn’t believe in that. She believed in a God who was involved and interested in the most miniscule details of His children’s lives.
I know the plans I have for you…plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Joseph back in her life? That wasn’t hope. That wasn’t a future. That… That felt like the worst punishment.
Exactly what her sin deserved.
The truth will set you free.
Free? Truth? Two words she couldn’t deal with right now. If ever.
Rose focused on the beautiful city lights and their reflection in the waters below. “Fate? No. This was inevitable. We’re starting to move in the same circles, in the same city. Our paths were bound to cross sometime.”
She should go back inside, before he asked her any more questions. But her legs wouldn’t listen to her brain. Neither would her heart.
“Do you see those lights over there forming an oval shape?” He leaned closer to her and pointed across the river to her left.
She breathed in deep of the spicy cologne that had drifted her way far too many times already this evening. Only stronger this time, but not quite as strong as when she’d landed in his arms earlier in her home. Couldn’t get closer than that.
She banished the aroma from her mind, concentrating on the smell of fresh air instead. And the lights he still pointed at.
“The Gherkin?”
A deep laugh rumbled from his chest. “Yes. Those are my offices on the twenty-eighth floor. Opened there two years ago.”
“I know.” She shouldn’t have said that. What if he thought she’d followed his every move? Which she hadn’t. It was hard not to read about him and his successes. She turned to face him. “I–I mean, it was pretty big news in the industry when you opened a London office.”
Her gaze moved toward his lips, and she suddenly remembered what had her bolting out of the restaurant in the first place. “We should go back inside. They’re waiting on us for dessert.”
Rose turned on her heel but Joseph gripped her arm.
“Why did you leave Florence without a word? Why did you leave me?” His eyes searched hers for the answers. “I think after all this time I deserve some explanation, some closure. Don’t you?”
So much for charming the truth out of her. Wasn’t anything charming about that approach.
Joseph loosened his hold on her. “Please.”
Rose stared at him, like a frightened rabbit caught in the headlights, ready to bolt. “I— There’s nothing to tell. I wasn’t in love with you anymore. That’s all. The reason I left without telling you is because it wasn’t any of your concern. We’d already broken up.”
“I don’t believe you, Rose. You’re lying. What we had…it was a forever kind of love.”
She hugged herself. “Pfft. We barely knew each other. A few months doesn’t constitute forever.”
For me it did. Still does. But so much has happened. If only she could be truthful with him, perhaps forever stood the slightest chance.
“Was it because of what happened in Tuscany?”
Her chest rose and fell as she inhaled and exhaled. She gazed back across the river. “Tuscany changed everything,” she whispered.
He pulled her toward him.
She didn’t resist.
“I told you how sorry I was. Why couldn’t we have put what happened behind us? We were so in love. Surely that love was strong enough to overcome anything?”
Rose pushed him away. “I–I have to go. I’ll catch a taxi back h
ome. Please tell Maggie and Davis I wasn’t feeling well. I’ll see you all at my boutique tomorrow morning at nine.”
“I can drive you home. Just give me a minute to let them know.” Joseph started toward the restaurant then stopped. “In fact, I don’t even have to go back inside. I can call Davis from the car.”
“No!” Rose shook her head. “Don’t you get it? I can’t be around you right now. Y–you’re confusing me. Dredging up old feelings and scars I’ve tried so hard to heal from.” She huffed out a breath. “I don’t know how we’re going to work together over the next few months.”
Scars? What she’d done was by choice.
Would she try to back out of making Maggie’s dresses? He couldn’t let her. He wanted…needed this time with her. He’d have to stop pressing about Tuscany and Florence—forget about even mentioning her time in Milano—and wait patiently for her to open up. Perhaps time together, with no pressuring questions about the past, would bring her to the place of being able to be honest with him. Then he could open up to her. And hopefully, all would end well…for everyone’s sakes. But for now, this had to remain strictly business.
Chapter Four
STANDING IN THE KITCHEN, Rose set the cutting board on the counter then sliced off two thick pieces of cucumber. She placed them in a plastic container and popped that into the freezer. While the cucumber chilled for ten minutes, she’d take a quick shower.
She glanced at her puffy eyes in the bathroom mirror before stepping under the warm water. Why did she have to go and cry herself to sleep last night? Hopefully cucumbers and makeup were enough to hide the fact. Last thing she needed today was an inquisition from Maggie, or questioning stares from Davis and Joseph.
Hair wet, Rose squeezed shampoo into her hand, then set the bottle back in the shower caddy. Her thoughts drifted to the night before as she lathered the creamy liquid. What would’ve happened if she’d opened up to Joseph? She almost did when she admitted that Tuscany had changed everything. Did he suspect the truth? Had he ever had an inkling?
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