Chapter 10
10
ROSE
The village of Bellemilia was small and quaint.
Multiple shops, a bakery, two restaurants, a bar and church were all positioned on a long main road following the dip of a wide valley, which was surrounded by emerald wooded hillsides.
The road was cobbled, but trees had been positioned at intervals along the pavements to shade visitors from the hot sunshine.
Rose almost tripped on the uneven pathway as she spotted a shop named, Elegante , which had two mannequins in the window dressed in stylish, expensive-looking clothes.
‘Is that it?’ she asked, feeling hopeful.
‘That’s the one,’ Ben said.
‘Have you been here before?’ Rose asked.
‘Once, a long time ago.’ Ben’s expression shuttered and he turned and marched through the doorway before Rose could ask more.
Looking mournful, he waited for her just inside.
Had he had an embarrassing fling with one of the retail assistants that he didn’t want to talk about?
It was cool in the shop and Rose took a moment to enjoy the air conditioning, trying to discreetly flap the neckline of Aurora’s dress to let in cool air as she scoured her surroundings.
There were racks of clothing set along both of the main walls, with smaller stands and tables positioned at intervals in between.
Rose saw handbags, shoes, dresses, T-shirts, costume jewellery, trousers, swimwear and jeans.
Towards the back of the store, she spotted a selection of underwear and nightwear and wanted to cheer.
She appreciated Aurora’s kindness but had missed being able to dress in plainer and more elegant clothes.
‘You don’t need to stay.
I can take it from here.
’ Rose waved at Ben, hoping he’d take the opportunity to leave.
An older woman dressed in a bright red trouser suit appeared from the back room, her face lighting when she spotted them.
‘Ben!’ she said in a thick Italian accent, managing to sound both sexy and businesslike.
Was anyone immune to this man’s charms, aside from her?
‘It’s been a long time.
’ The woman skipped across the floor in a pair of heels that would have made Rose dizzy, and wrapped him in her arms. She was tiny but somehow managed to envelope him.
Was this another of Ben’s exes?
Rose just stopped herself from shaking her head in irritation.
Exactly how many lovers did one man need?
According to her father, dozens and sometimes all at once…
Was Ben cut from the same cloth?
‘How are you?’ The woman pulled away so she could look up into Ben’s face.
‘That bad?’ she asked, her voice filled with sympathy which made Rose pause.
Why would anyone feel sorry for him, was he having a bad eyebrow day or something?
‘It’s been a busy few days,’ he said gruffly.
‘More importantly how are you?’ He flashed her one of his trademark smiles and Rose stopped worrying.
The flirt was back, the world was revolving back on its axis.
‘I’ve become a nonna since I last saw you,’ the woman gushed.
‘I’ll be at the party tonight, so I’ll bore you about our bambina later.
I will show you pictures, and you will tell me how beautiful she is and how you can’t wait to have at least four of your own.
I insist.’ She laughed aloud when Ben paled and shook his head.
‘You know that’s not part of my future,’ he muttered.
‘Isn’t it?’ The woman raised an eyebrow.
‘Who’s this ?’ She turned and cocked her head, her eyes lively with interest, as she noticed Rose.
Now they were facing, Rose could see she was older than she’d first thought – perhaps in her late fifties – although her elegant clothes and perfect figure made her seem younger than her years.
‘ La fidanzata?’
‘She’s not my girlfriend.
’ Ben snorted. ‘More like my arch-nemesis. Think Captain Hook and Peter Pan.’
‘You’re Peter Pan in this scenario I suppose?
’ Rose asked dryly. ‘Never grew up, adored by women everywhere. I could go on…’
‘Does that make you Wendy?’ Ben teased.
‘Ah! I see.’ The woman looked between them and grinned.
‘These are the most passionate types of relationship. I once—’ She stopped and pressed a fingertip to her lips, her smile enigmatic.
‘Perhaps you don’t need to know the details.
’ She gave Rose a half smile as she looked her up and down critically, her eyes widening as she took in Aurora’s dress.
‘You work with Aurora Gallo and have recently shrunk and lost some weight?’ she guessed.
‘No!’ Rose stepped closer.
‘My luggage went missing on my flight to Italy, so I had to borrow her clothes. I’m going to need a new wardrobe.
’ She scoured the shop.
‘Do you have any cream linen suits?’
The woman choked.
‘I’m Madame Francesca Rossi.
I once dressed the stars.
I think we can do better than that.
You!’ She snapped a finger at Ben who was still standing beside the door.
‘Why don’t you take a seat, bello ?
You know where it is.
’
‘I’d rather go to a bar,’ he pleaded.
‘I’m sure it would be better if I got out of your way.
’
‘He doesn’t need to stay,’ Rose agreed firmly.
‘I can make my own decisions about my wardrobe.’
‘But where will we get our male perspective from?’ Madame Rossi asked, prodding a chic red fingernail towards Ben and then at the grey sofa outside the changing room.
‘Sit!’
Ben gave Rose a thoughtful look.
‘I’m more afraid of her,’ he whispered as he walked to where Francesca had pointed.
‘Then I’ll have to work harder on being scary,’ Rose shot back.
‘We don’t need him,’ she insisted as the older woman began to wander around the shop, scooping up various pieces in multiple colours.
‘From the look of that outfit, I’d say you need all the help you can get,’ Francesca joked.
‘I told you, it’s not my dress,’ Rose insisted.
‘Are you sure you don’t have anything in cream?
’ she checked, feeling a little nervous now.
She was used to being in control, but somehow this situation was getting the better of her.
Madame Rossi gave her a sympathetic look.
‘You fit a forty, si ?’ she checked, her eyes scouring Aurora’s dress.
‘I think that is more of a forty-two.’
‘Yes, I’m a twelve,’ Rose confirmed, widening her eyes when the woman grabbed a dazzling navy dress with a plunging neckline from one of the racks.
There were subtle sparkles in the material.
‘I’m definitely not going to wear that,’ she stammered.
She preferred her outfits to be more serious – so she could fade into the background and people-watch.
She wasn’t looking to draw attention to herself, and she definitely wasn’t looking to recreate Aurora’s wardrobe in a smaller size.
‘Why not try it?’ Francesca asked smoothly.
‘It might suit you? Besides, you need something bellissima for the engagement party. Everyone in the village will be there.’
Rose sighed and shook her head.
It was like shopping with her mother when she was a teenager.
She’d never listened either.
Although then Rose had been far more worried about pleasing her than herself.
‘I’ll try it if you find me a linen suit,’ she bargained.
‘ Sì . I have one in red.’ Francesca flashed a wicked smile as she picked up trousers, a pair of red pyjamas and a tiny blue T-shirt which looked like it would be a perfect fit for Coco.
‘You need lingerie? Of course you do.’ She picked some out, studying the tiny, lacy scraps intently as they dangled from their hangers.
Ben, who was sitting a few metres away from her, nodded enthusiastically as she held each of them up in turn.
Seriously ? Rose could feel a blush forming on her cheeks and fought to control it.
‘I prefer white, and it hardly matters if Ben approves. He’s not going to see it,’ she muttered as Francesca waved a crimson set.
‘I don’t mind offering advice.
I’m very experienced in these things,’ Ben said, grinning as the older woman turned and swished a heavy velvet curtain aside, exposing a pretty dressing room with four large mirrors, and a voluptuous chair.
Then she hung all the items she’d chosen onto a set of hooks on the wall.
Ben, who was still sitting on the sofa facing the changing room, grinned.
‘Do I get a drink while I’m waiting?
’ he asked.
‘How about hemlock?’ Rose suggested darkly.
Why wouldn’t he just leave?
Francesca laughed looking delighted.
‘Depends how useful you are, caro ,’ she said to Ben.
‘I have some for—’ She stopped abruptly and waved a hand at Rose.
‘Rose Loveheart,’ Ben filled in.
‘Also known as the Love Doctor. She’s friends with Marco’s bride.
’
‘Ah.’ Francesca nodded vigorously, her short brown curls bouncing against her cheeks.
‘Of course. Aurora mentioned you’d be visiting when she called me earlier in the week.
We’re friends too,’ she explained as Rose started to ask how the two of them knew each other.
‘But how did she know I was coming?’ Rose gasped.
She’d only found out herself two days ago.
‘Aldo told her – he told her a few other things too.’ Francesca’s eyes sparkled as her gaze switched between Rose and Ben and then she laughed delightedly.
‘I’m just teasing, cara .
Marco messaged to tell me you were on your way.
’
Rose shut her eyes for a moment.
Was everyone in Italy unhinged or was it just the people who knew Marco’s family?
She might have to write a new set of rules just for them.
‘Shall I try on the clothes?’ she asked wearily, nodding towards the changing room.
‘ Sì !’ Francesca clapped her hands.
‘While you’re there, I’ll get you a drink of Franciacorta .
That’s Italy’s version of champagne.
’
Rose was about to say she didn’t want another drink but decided better of it.
She knew from her parents and clients that it was best to choose her battles.
Besides, a bit of alcohol might make this more bearable.
She walked into the changing room and heard Francesca swish the curtains closed.
Then she stared at her reflection in the long mirror, wondering what had happened to her carefully managed life.
Since she’d met Ben, nothing had gone to plan, and no one was doing anything she asked – including her own wayward hormones.
There was a tight ball of excitement in the pit of her stomach that she hadn’t experienced before.
Was this how Luna felt?
Because Rose hated it, hated the feeling of chaos, the lack of control.
‘Here, drink this.’ A hand appeared through the curtain holding a delicate glass filled to the brim.
Rose took it. The alcohol she’d had in the restaurant a few hours ago had worn off, so she shut her eyes and took a large gulp.
She’d need Dutch courage if she was going to try on the clothes Francesca had selected.
And she’d have to buy some; she didn’t have much choice.
From her brief walk down the high street, it was clear this was the only place to buy women’s clothes and she doubted she’d get the chance to go anywhere further afield.
She’d be too busy trying to advise Luna.
‘Everything okay in there?’ Ben shouted from outside the curtain.
‘Do you need any help?’
Rose knew he was joking because she could practically hear the laughter in his voice.
She narrowed her eyes at the midnight blue dress with the plunging neckline.
What would he say if she put it on?
Surely the surprise would wipe the smug smile from his face.
He thought he knew her; it would be fun to show him he had no idea.
‘I’m fine,’ she shouted back, quickly taking off Aurora’s dress, feeling a wave of relief when it hit the floor.
She frowned at her underwear.
She’d washed everything in the sink last night while she’d been wearing Ben’s T-shirt and thankfully it had dried, but she’d definitely be taking most of Francesca’s selection back to Villa Paradise with her, even if the styles were far smaller and more colourful than she’d normally go for.
She stroked a piece of red lace – it was softer than she’d expected and the finish was stunning, so it wouldn’t be a hardship.
‘Are you staring at yourself in the mirror?’ Ben asked, and his guess was so accurate Rose quickly checked there wasn’t a gap in the curtain.
When she was sure there wasn’t, she turned to frown at her reflection.
Then she pulled the navy dress up and over her hips.
‘Francesca, can you help me with the zip please?’ she shouted.
‘I’m happy to step in,’ Ben joked.
‘Zips happen to be a speciality of mine. I practically have a degree in them.’
Rose laughed.
She couldn’t help it.
Ben was charming and funny, a heady combination for any woman.
She was pleased she was immune to his charms. Or at least aware they were all for show.
He was just a pretty face – she reminded herself – shallow and self-centred and only looking for the next woman to impress.
Like the last three of her mother’s husbands and Luna’s ex-fiancé too.
‘I’m sure you do,’ she said.
‘But I’m guessing you’re more adept at undressing women, whereas I need someone to help me put my clothes on .
It’s probably best if you stick to your usual lane,’ she shot back.
‘I’m willing to give it a try – in the interests of evolving,’ Ben joked.
Rose chuckled again.
Ben might be shallow, but he was funny.
‘We wouldn’t want you getting confused,’ she said.
She stared at herself in the mirror, waiting for Ben to respond.
Her cheeks looked flushed and there was an odd brightness in her eyes.
She wasn’t used to flirting.
She liked her interactions with men to be more serious, preferring to find out more about them via a series of questions designed to expose their faults, than to fall into the easy back and forth of seductive conversation.
But it was fun when you didn’t mean it.
More fun than she’d realised.
Perhaps this explained why her parents both did it so much?
‘I’m sure I could handle a change of pace,’ he countered as the older woman slid through the curtain, somehow managing not to flash any of Rose to Ben.
‘ Cara ,’ Francesca gasped, clutching her hands to her collarbone.
‘The colour is spectacular on you and the sparkles divine. I really am talented.’ She grinned as she approached, spinning Rose around.
‘But you need to remove your bra!’
‘That’s a speciality of mine too,’ Ben murmured from outside.
Rose ignored him. ‘You want me to take it off now?’ she asked, clutching the dress tighter to her chest.
‘You won’t need it,’ Francesca said.
‘The underwear will bunch under the silk, and it’s cut so low you won’t be able to stop it from showing.
’ She stared Rose down until she carefully removed and dropped it onto the chair.
Francesca nodded as she paced the room, checking Rose from the side and back, making various approving noises before quickly sliding up the zip of the dress.
Then she spun Rose around to face the mirror.
‘You look magnifica !’ she declared, clapping her hands again.
Rose didn’t usually get pleasure from shopping.
She kept her wardrobe tidy and unimaginative – always aiming for professional.
She’d never wanted to dress to attract a man based on looks alone.
Which meant she preferred keeping things simple.
But for the first time in a long time, Rose wondered if that was a mistake.
The navy suited her and brought out the colour of her eyes and the low neckline looked sexy, giving just enough away but not too much.
It wasn’t like Aurora’s dress, but it did have sparkles – plus, this one cut in at the waist and dipped at the front, exposing her pale skin and making it almost shimmer in the light.
She tried to take a step forward so she could see better and found herself almost tripping on the hem.
‘It’s a little too long,’ she said, disappointed and oddly relieved that it was unsuitable.
‘You just need some heels,’ Francesca sang, drawing back the flap in the curtain again and disappearing.
‘You have shoes?’ Rose asked, turning to gaze at herself.
Perhaps it would be nice to dress up?
Usually, Luna dazzled when they were out together and Rose was happy to take a back seat.
She wasn’t looking to outshine her friend – especially not at her own engagement party – but it might feel good to stand in the same bright light.
She twisted around, trying to find the price tag, but couldn’t see one.
Rose had a strict monthly budget for her wardrobe updates.
Looked like she might be blowing at least half a year of it today.
Francesca returned dangling a pair of glittery shoes from her fingers.
‘I guessed your size – thirty-eight?’
‘I’m a five, yes.
I’m impressed,’ Rose said, taking them and staring.
They were high and the straps were dainty.
‘I’m not used to wearing heels outside of work,’ she said slowly.
The older woman waved a hand towards the chair and indicated Rose should sit.
When she did, Francesca put the shoes on her, then encouraged her to stand.
‘Try walking! Slowly…’ she said as Rose hitched up the skirt so she didn’t accidentally tread on the material.
The dress was exactly the right length now and the shoes were more comfortable than she’d anticipated.
‘You will be fine after some practice.’ Francesca waved a hand.
‘Why don’t you show Ben?
’
‘I don’t need his opinion,’ Rose spluttered.
‘Is that a rule too?’ Ben, who was obviously still eavesdropping, asked from the other side of the curtain.
‘Yes, it’s called dress for yourself and no one else,’ she told him.
‘Don’t give up your style or change for anybody.
’ She frowned. She’d seen too many clients trying to change themselves for their partner.
Even Luna had gone through a phase when she’d only wanted to wear cargo trousers because her latest boyfriend was obsessed with them.
Luckily, she’d finished with him, although it had taken her months to see she was being manipulated.
Francesca sighed. ‘Of course you should dress for yourself, cara .’ She nodded towards the curtain.
‘But it doesn’t hurt to share if you look this good.
’
‘Is it cream?’ Ben asked, his tone still teasing.
‘No,’ Rose said, twisting around and ripping back the curtain, feeling her stomach drop to her toes when Ben’s mouth gaped and his smile disappeared.
She didn’t need or want his approval – but that didn’t stop the punch of satisfaction in her stomach at his reaction.
It might be weak and irresponsible of her – but she decided to just enjoy it.
It didn’t have to be complicated.
Ben wasn’t even a friend.
‘You look…’ He trailed off as Rose stepped out into the main shop aiming to get a feel for the new outfit, to see if she’d be comfortable wearing it this evening.
‘ Bellissima ,’ Francesca filled in as she followed Rose out.
‘So now we have an outfit for this evening, we need to get you sorted for the rest of your visit.’
‘You’ll need a bikini,’ Ben said, his smile returning.
‘And something to wear to bed. Unless you’re planning on keeping my T-shirt?
’ he teased.
Francesca’s eyebrow rose, but she looked pleased.
‘Ah, this chemistry isn’t in my imagination,’ she cooed.
‘It certainly is,’ Rose countered.
‘It’s good.’ The older woman regarded Ben as he went to sit back on the sofa.
‘I never thought he’d get over Sophia.
’
‘He seems perfectly over her to me,’ Rose said.
Hadn’t he been joking about the wedding presents back in the hotel?
And what about all his constant flirting?
Unless that was just a coping mechanism?
The thought made her pause.
‘Is he?’ Francesca asked enigmatically before turning away.
‘Why don’t I pick you out some swimwear now – and you’re going to need a dress for the wedding.
Luna’s already been in touch with some ideas,’ she said loudly, leaving Rose floundering as she watched the older woman go to gather up more clothes, all the while chatting with Ben.
Was there more to the man than she’d first suspected?
Did he actually have a heart, after all?
Time would tell, but suddenly Rose wondered if she’d misjudged Ben.
And if she had, what did that say about her?