Total pages in book: 55
Estimated words: 51166 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 256(@200wpm)___ 205(@250wpm)___ 171(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 51166 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 256(@200wpm)___ 205(@250wpm)___ 171(@300wpm)
It’s been a wonderful and exciting day, but also very long, more like two days once I factor in the start of our travel yesterday and the time zone differences. I’m expecting to creep quietly into their home without disturbing anyone, but instead, I get a big surprise.
What can only be described as a welcome party – and a big one at that – is assembled in the Bestia home. Smiling people of all ages crowd around us and call out greetings in Italian: “Welcome,” “We missed you,” and other things I don’t understand.
Their attention isn’t just focused on Matteo and Fiero. I’m included too, and I’m instantly overwhelmed. Everyone is so excited and talking over each other, hugging me, and kissing me twice, once on each cheek. All my shyness seems to return in force.
It hits me that I never asked the men how they’ve explained me to their family. Am I a friend, a girlfriend of one of them, or what? I highly doubt they’ve told their family the truth. The woman who introduces herself as their mother probably wouldn’t be smiling at me if she knew I was dating both of them and refused to choose.
After my teary breakdown, neither of the men has asked again for a decision – they’re both probably too afraid I’d cry again – and I haven’t brought it up because, of course, I still can’t decide.
Just as I spot a huge table across the room nearly overflowing with food, a deep voice behind me says, “Daniela.”
I turn, and my heart stops.
They Are Men Now
Of course, I knew that Giovanni existed, and I hadn’t forgotten about him, but after all this time, he seemed more like an abstract idea than an actual person.
Somehow, I wasn’t prepared to meet him, but here he is, very much flesh and blood, and as stunningly handsome as Matteo and Fiero.
He’s coming toward me, in jeans and a button-down shirt, with keenly familiar eyes but a warm, easygoing air that seems uniquely his own.
My body responds to him instantly, and I have to curl my nails into my palm to fight the impulse to touch him. He leans in to kiss each of my cheeks and I shamelessly inhale his spicy, masculine scent. Which is a mistake, because I get lightheaded and nearly lose my balance.
All of the attention I’ve been receiving is instantly doubled as the family rushes in to take care of me, escorting me to a chair and bringing me a glass of water. Signora Bestia, the men’s mother, and their grandmother, who was introduced to me as Nonna Sofia, fuss over me in Italian, only parts of which I understand, especially since everyone is still talking at once.
I let them do as they like, because my mind is swimming.
How was I not prepared to meet Giovanni?
“Are you okay, Daniela?” Signora Bestia has a strong voice and an equally strong accent.
As I start to answer, Fiero edges a couple of adorable children out of the way to get close. “She’s tired, Mamma. She needs to rest.”
I want to object, because it seems like it would be rude to leave the party when we’ve only just arrived, but Signora Bestia instantly agrees. “Va bene. Sì certo.” She helps me stand, keeping a firm hand on my arm, and leads me up a set of stairs and into a cool, dim room with crisp white linens on the bed.
Matteo and Fiero carry up my luggage, but after they set it down, they tell me to sleep well and leave. Their mother has everything under control. She shows me where the bathroom is and gives me a set of bath linens, along with a very sweet welcome basket filled with things like a candle, soap and shampoo, and personal items I may have forgotten: a toothbrush and toothpaste, a hairbrush, even hair clips.
“Sleep as long as you like, Daniela,” Signora Bestia says before closing the door behind her.
I find what I need for the night in my luggage and quickly get ready for bed in the adjoining bathroom. Returning to the bedroom, I notice the fresh scent in the room and realize the window is open a few inches. Back home, it’s still much too cold for that, but it’s very comfortable here. It will be a perfect sleeping temperature.
I can’t see much of anything through the window in the dark night, but I can hear the soothing sounds of the sea somewhere in the near distance.
Expecting that Matteo or Fiero might sneak in to say goodnight, I linger a bit longer before getting into bed, but when they don’t come, I crawl under the covers and let out an audible sigh at the cool comfort I find there.
I hold out hope for the men to visit, but I’m probably only awake for a minute or so before I fall into a deep sleep.