The morning sun flooded through the towering windows, casting a golden glow over the sleek marbl

tsteps. Stead

of the night. His crisp white shirt was carelessly untucked at the edges, and there was a fain

p. Didn't ack

o the coff

lms against the cool surface of the t

, her voice steady despite the

coffee. "What's the point of asking

pt her composure. "Be

A flicker of amusement crossed his face,

he said coolly, lifting his mug to his l

it show. She tilted her chin, studying him. "Is that how thi

s, cara." His voice was smooth, unreadable. "You agreed

ed back her chair. Fine. If he wanted distance, sh

ve, Luca's voice cut

your

cing over her shou

coffee, his eyes cool and deta

r w

y sparing her a glance. "My father arr

rms. "And what do

. "A week of

ike that, he

aw, the coffee in he

ready folding Maeve's

phone pressed to her ear. She

," he answe

swallowed.

t... it's going to take time

I miss you too. I'll send you more mon

don't have to keep do

faintly. "I

urned to Maria, who zippe

up to me?" Maeve asked, surpri

sn't heartless. But he's al

iet laugh. "That's

ride was

scrolled through his phone. He spoke in rapid Italian, his tone

could play

g the silence. "Have you b

d at her. "

to work the

is phone down. "

to back down. "Because this i

no warmth in it. "You don't a

She wouldn't give him the satisfaction

Luca spoke aga

oice was quieter thi

n't mentioned her fam

oma," she sai

"I'll handle the

. "You mean you

n didn't change.

her lips together. It did. B

e ocean. The Mediterranean air was thick with the scent of salt and citrus,

, floor-to-ceiling windows, the kind of luxury that

said, already walking away. "

versation. No acknowledgment that th

f he thought she was going to tiptoe around this arrangem

the room she had been staying i

sat near the f

was

ther-

eart

ying?" she asked, her voi

tie, barely glanced at her. "It'

is jacket, moving with that same effortless

g with her suitcase just

muttered, unbuttoning his s

ni

w. He was right-she s

lem was, she

the room, casually peeling o

one