Fighting commenced over dinner.
Four bottles of wine all but disappeared, and I knew, one day, maybe not soon, I'd be okay. Because I had family — I really had family.
CHAPTER FORTY-SEVEN
Andi
I FELT IT.
Maybe that was normal — maybe not. But it was like an alarm clock had suddenly gone off in my heart, beckoning me, calling to me. And a peace like I'd never experienced in my entire life fell over me. It was warm, like a blanket on a cold winter's night.
I woke up from my sleep and smiled a real smile — like the ones I saved for Sergio and only Sergio.
I looked around the room. Things had been set into motion, the plans for his life set, even though he had no idea.
I'd done what I could.
And I'd done well; I knew that in my soul. The peace I felt in that moment was enough to help me get out of bed.
I wrapped an afghan around me and kissed Sergio on the top of his head. He stirred, then woke up just as I walked out of the room.
He would follow.
He would always follow.
But this was the last time he'd do such a thing. It was the last time he'd follow me, and that was how it should be, how it was supposed to be.
I ran my fingers along the wood banister as I made my way down the stairs, my naked feet sinking into the warm plush carpet. The house smelled like pasta; I imagined they'd had a really good meal the night before — with wine and laughter.
Good. He would need that.
A lot of it.
Night blanketed the house, its shadows casting a comforting glow as I finally found myself in the main entryway.
I heard Sergio's soft steps behind me.
I opened the front door and walked outside. The moon was starting to set, the sun just beginning to peek from the east.
The smell of winter was long gone, and spring was starting to seep its way into the atmosphere with its growth, its life.
It was poetic really, if I thought about it. The timing… more perfect than I'd originally thought.
One step.
Two.
Three… and I was walking out into the field, the same field I'd run into in my wedding dress when my husband had pissed me off.
Again, so poetic, so romantic that this was where life had brought us.
Together.
In that same field.
I blinked back the tears as I watched the sky swirl with life.
I would miss him.
Desperately.
Our time had been short.
But it had been good.
And that's how life is measured — not by the length, but by the strength of those moments spent together.
I turned around as Sergio slowly approached, his hair disheveled, his face calm, his body strong. I'd remember him always — his sharp jaw, his defined lips, his gorgeous icy-blue eyes, long shaggy pirate hair… or as I'd remember… historical-romance duke hair that would make any girl with a pulse swoon.
He was my hero.
My white knight.
Granted, he was missing a horse.
But his heart — damn, it was strong.
He didn't have armor… then again, men like Sergio? Rarely needed it.
His steps were purposeful, his full mouth curving into a sad smile.
Beautiful… and mine — a gift I'd never deserve but forever cherish. I winked and then sat down, the grass tickling my legs. I pulled the afghan tighter against my body as I waited for his approach.
For the final moment.
CHAPTER FORTY-EIGHT
Sergio
I'D KNOWN IT BEFORE SHE'D EVEN woke me up.
Something in my soul had stirred… maybe it was because we were connected at such a deep level that her thoughts were my own; her feelings, the same.
I followed her into the field, grinning when she gave me that coy look I'd been so used to seeing — the same one that had been missing from her face for the past week.
"Wanted to go for a midnight run, huh?" I teased.
Andi laughed. "Yeah, well, you know me. I like to keep you on your toes and all that. Italians aren't known for their spontaneity."
"Who uses big words this early in the morning?"
Her eyebrows arched. "Russians."
I held out my hand.
She stood and gripped it.
"Twirl."
"Huh?"
I kissed her softly. "This…" I stood back and glanced at her pajama pants and T-shirt. "…is a two-twirl outfit — maybe three."
"Oh yeah?" Tears welled in her eyes.
"Yeah." I nodded then slowly twirled her, one, two, three times, bringing her into my arms and kissing her again, slowly dancing side to side. "You're beautiful."
"Nope." She pulled back. "Not doing this. You know we never would have worked, right?"
I sat on the ground and pulled her into my lap. "Oh yeah?" My hands danced across her arms, rubbing them back and forth, trying to bring warmth into her cold body. "Why's that?"
"You hate vodka and never even finished the honeymoon list!"
I laughed. "We finished the important parts."
"True." She laid her head against my chest and let out a huge sigh. "You know you don't really love me, right?"
"Yes, I do. Don't tell me how to feel." I pulled her against me and kissed her nose, feeling semi-aggravated she would doubt me.