Chapter 11
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Carly
It feels like we’re living in a movie. The adults are sitting around the longest table I’ve ever sat at, while children run around us playing with a ball.
Vineyards and rolling hills stretch for miles in all directions.
The table is filled with a feast of cheeses, meats, vegetables, and wine. It’s decadent, yet homey.
I can see why Vito and Drew love it here.
“More?” Bray asks as he lifts a bottle of red wine.
I nod, feeling slightly buzzed, but also content to drink more. We have nowhere to go and nothing to do today except relax and acclimate to our new surroundings.
I sip the wine and smile. I needed this. I only have one more week back at home, and then I have to start getting my classroom together. I’m not sure where the summer went, but it flew by while I was busy working. I wish I could have stayed home and spent time with Ava.
Bringing the glass to my lips again, I drink to forget that last thought.
“Whoa there, slow down,” Bray teases.
I roll my eyes. “I’m an off-duty mom. I need this,” I groan.
He chuckles and puts his arm over the back of my chair. I lean my head on his shoulder and close my eyes. I feel warm and safe. Bray feels like home.
“You falling asleep?” he asks as his thumb absentmindedly rubs my shoulder.
“Maybe,” I whisper.
I hear another laugh from him. “Well, we have nothing to do, so go for it. There’s plenty of eyes here to watch the kids.”
I start to drift asleep until I hear Drew’s voice. “Who wants a tour?”
I giggle and raise my hand. Bray slaps it down. “We can tour later. Take a nap.”
I push up from his warmth and look into his eyes. “I want to walk barefoot through grapevines,” I announce.
He grins. “Well, OK, then.”
He stands and helps me up as others stand. I kick off my shoes.
“Are we stomping grapes?” I ask.
Vito starts laughing. “Uh, no. I hate to inform you, but we don’t do that anymore.”
Frowning, I cross my arms. “Can I at least walk barefoot through the vineyard?”
He shrugs. “I guess so. But if you hurt your foot, that’s on you.”
“Cool beans,” I say with a hiccup. Cam giggles and links arms with me.
“I’m going barefoot too, then,” she announces as she spins us in a circle.
I plant my feet on the patio, bringing us to a stop. “No spinning,” I announce.
She sways and giggles again. “Fine. Party pooper.”
The older family members and Al, Margie, Cornelia, Jessa, and Troy decide to stay and watch the kids. But Ava sees me leaving and runs after me.
“Mom, where are you going?” she asks with a look of concern. Damn. This kid has massive separation anxiety.
“Just going on a quick tour of the property. You can stay and play with your new friends if you like,” I suggest, crossing my fingers that she’ll take the bait.
“Oh, that’s OK. I’ll come with you,” she says with a smile.
I force a smile, and she takes my hand as Vito starts to show us around. He tells the story of how his great-great-grandfather bought the original land for the price of two goats, which became the name of their wine.
We walk leisurely through vineyards, tasting rooms, a cavern where they store barrels of wine, and then down a hill along an old stone wall that is against the steep incline, seemingly holding up the giant mound of dirt. When we come across a small door, Vito stops.
“This is the mystery of Due Capre,” he says as he waves a hand over the door. “Since our family has lived here, no one has been able to open this door.”
“Mr. Vito?” Ava says with her hand raised.
Vito smiles. “Yes, Miss Ava.”
She grins. “Why don’t you just knock it down?”
Vito chuckles. “Many people have suggested that, but our family believes a story a local told us. So, we never have.”
“A story?” she asks.
“Well, sort of a legend. It goes that whoever finds the key and unlocks the door shall bring through it a wealth of love that unites two souls. So, keep a lookout, because you never know,” he explains.
“Are there any princes here?” Ava asks.
Vito shakes his head, and Ava frowns.
“Oh well. I thought maybe if you open it and there was a prince, you could become a princess,” she says.
“Well, you never know what riches lie beyond it,” Vito says.
Ava shrugs, and with that, we continue our walk. Bray turns to Hutch and asks, “Think we should get out the mystery machine?”
“I mean, we’re all pretty good at solving mysteries. Except for that pesky flower thing,” Hutch teases.
Jocelyn elbows him.
“The only mystery you’re looking into this week is—” Hutch grabs her and places a hand over her mouth. Jocelyn giggles.
I sway as I walk, and Bray puts his hand around my waist.
“Steady there, tiger,” he whispers.
I wave him off as we continue walking. “I’m fine.”
He keeps his hand on the small of my back as we walk. I find myself leaning into it. It’s been so long since I felt a man touch me with anything more than a friendly gesture. I can’t be lusting after Bray.
By the end of the day, as I sober up, I decide it’s time to fire up that dating app. Italian men, here I come.
I’m lying by the pool and looking at men on the dating app. Some are cute, some are not. I’ve swiped right a few times, but so far, no messages. I’m beginning to think I’m cursed when I see a notification.
It’s a man named Francesco. He’s from Milan and is thirty-five. He works in the clothing industry and likes wine.
Francesco: Buongiorno, Carly.
OK, not a bad start.
Me: Buongiorno. Do you speak English by chance?
Francesco: Of course.
I grin and giggle as I try to imagine what his voice sounds like. I feel like I’m in middle school and just discovered boys.
“What’s so funny?” Bray asks, his voice coming from behind me.
For reasons I don’t entirely understand, I toss my phone in my bag like it’s on fire and turn my head to see him walking toward me.
“Oh, uh, nothing,” I say way too quickly.
He raises an eyebrow, and I bite my lower lip.
His gaze watches as my teeth clench the plump skin before releasing it.
Slowly, his attention travels back to my eyes.
I swallow as I see his dilated pupils. Was he checking me out?
No. That’s crazy. I mean, the man has seen me naked, and we’re still just friends.
Shaking my head, I turn back around and pretend that the pool is the most fascinating thing I’ve ever seen.
I hear my phone vibrate with another message.
Bray sits down next to me. “You gonna check that?” he asks as his eyes look down at my phone.
I shrug. And then slowly pull my phone out and look, deciding not to look would be weirder. Why am I so shy suddenly in sharing dating stuff with Bray? I take a deep breath and open the app again. Probably because I haven’t dated since knowing him. Or at least that’s what I’m telling myself.
Francesco: Do you live in Italy or just visiting?
I hold the phone a little away from Bray so he can’t see it.
Me: Just visiting for the week and thought I’d see who was in the area that might like to meet up for dinner some night.
Francesco: Where are you staying?
I pause. Do I tell him? What if he’s a serial killer?
Me: Near Broni.
Francesco: Well, that’s serendipitous. I’ll be down that way in a few nights. When do you leave?
Me: I’m here for another seven days. I have wedding stuff for the next three days, but I’m free after that.
Francesco: Perfect. I’ll be there in five days for a business meeting. I’ll find a restaurant in Broni.
Me: That sounds lovely. Looking forward to it.
I’m a little freaking out. Is it too soon to go on a date? Should we talk longer? I may need to ask the ladies for advice on this one.
We continue to chat for a few minutes, and then I notice Bray watching me. I tell Francesco I have to go help with wedding things, and he says he’ll message me later.
“What was that about?” he asks.
“Just talking to some guy,” I say.
Bray’s eyebrows shoot up. “What? Since when?”
Shrugging, I close my eyes and lean back, letting the sun warm me. “Since today.”
He’s quiet, and I steal a glance in his direction. He’s frowning as he looks at the vista in front of us. Is he pouting? He needs to chill.
“How did you meet this guy?” he finally asks.
I sigh. “Don’t worry about it. I’m allowed to date, you know?”
“I know that,” he grumbles under his breath.
I decide to get up. I don’t want to sit with a mercurial man who is acting like a teenager who just got grounded. He’s killing my vacation vibe.
“Where are you going?” he asks as I pack up my things.
“Back to the villa to get dressed. Vito and Drew said they were going to oversee the decorations for the rehearsal dinner, so I guess I’ll go see how it’s going,” I state as I toss my bag over my shoulder and walk away while Bray is practically growling.
Why is Bray being so infuriating? Why does he care if I date?
It’s not like he would ever ask me out. Does he expect me to be celibate forever?