The Sweet Life by Sharon Struth

Author:Sharon Struth
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Kensington
Published: 2017-04-13T12:38:13+00:00

Chapter 13

“Peter, sbrigati. Siamo in ritardo.”

Mamie opened her eyes and lifted her head. Right near the blanket where she and Julian had lain down to relax then fallen asleep, a woman holding a child’s hand hurried by.

Staying on her side, Mamie nestled her cheek into the soft blanket. The owner of the deli where they’d purchased a bag of olives, bread, and sliced meats for their lunch turned out to be a friend of Julian’s. The two men had spoken in lively Italian and next she knew, the gray-haired owner handed Julian the blanket they now used, winked at them, and sent them along with a bottle of wine.

From this angle, her gaze trailed the line of connected gold and tan stucco buildings with terra-cotta tiled roofs separating the park from the busy city. Beyond the buildings, the sky opened and the tall tower she and Julian planned to climb this afternoon jutted into the sky.

Julian. An awareness of his arm draped at her waist and his slow breaths close to the back of her head swept over her. How had they ended up in this position? They’d been on their backs, side by side, staring up into the blue sky and puffy clouds. Then she shut her eyes for just a second and rolled to her side... That’s the last thing she could recall.

His nearness offered comfort. Same as when he’d take her hand out of the blue. Maybe he was just a guy who touched people easily, but part of her wanted it to mean more.

The cathedral tour should’ve been wonderful. Well, it was at the start. But while Julian discussed works done by Michelangelo, Donatello, and Bernini, she couldn’t stop thinking about Ted and how he’d have loved this tour, loved this country.

At least she’d told Julian the truth about her marital status and why she was single. She couldn’t quite mention Zoe. Her daughter’s wide, dark eyes and freckled nose flashed in her mind’s eye, causing Mamie’s gut to quiver. Talking about Zoe brought her back to life, leaving Mamie clinging to precious memories where she’d later drown in her grief. No, she couldn’t share that loss with him. Not yet.

“Ready to climb the campanile?” Julian’s tired voice rumbled near her ear.

“The what?” She rolled over to face him, burying the angst over losing her daughter and forcing a smile.

He watched her through sleepy eyes. “It’s another name for the tower.”

“How many steps did you say?”

“Five hundred.”

“It doesn’t look so bad, so I’m game. The real question is, are you?”

He narrowed his eyes. “Did you just throw down the gauntlet?”

“Did you forget about our bet? Ten euros are at stake, although I think the incentive should be greater.”

“Oh? What do you want?” His voice shifted, huskier than before.

His smile faded and his serious gaze made her still. She wanted to reach over and touch the soft grain of his beard, run her fingers through the waves of his hair. Kiss him and let the thin mustache above his upper lip tease her skin.

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