Chapter 21 Two Years Later #2
“What’s wrong, amica? Feeling okay? I’ve got a mint if your stomach isn’t feeling good,” she offered, already digging into her monster of a purse. I joked that she could live out of it for a week.
I patted her hand and said, “No, I’m good. Just thinking.”
Ren knew me better than anyone, and over the last two years, we had grown even closer. She told me she had some good news and bad news to share that weekend, but wanted to wait until we were all together. My friends and family had adopted her into our ever-growing group, and she fit right in.
“Oh. Is it about a certain man in California? Bet he’s thinking about you, too,” she said in a sassy tone.
When I didn’t answer her, she continued.
“So, how long have you been writing letters to Miles?” When she saw my wide eyes, she said, “Don’t be surprised. I saw it when I snuck up on you at the train station.”
Busted…
Unbeknownst to anyone, including Ren, I not only wrote letters to MJ over the past two years, but I wrote some to her handsome father as well.
I never sent them, but I kept them in the journal I now write in almost daily.
It helped me put on paper what I couldn’t figure out on my own sometimes.
The first time I wrote a letter to Miles, I felt as if God was telling me to keep going.
So I did. I wrote him a letter about once a month ever since I walked out of that café.
Ren was still the only one I’d told about falling in love with Miles. And, like the queen she was, she never broke my confidence. So, writing to him provided me with another way to process my feelings. Sometimes it helped, other times it just made me ache for what I’d given up.
Two years ago, when I got on that plane in San Diego bound for Rome, it took everything in me not to stand up in the middle of the safety demonstration, flee my seat, and run back to him.
But I knew I couldn’t do that. I had given him the opportunity to ask me to stay.
Even though I was disappointed in that moment that he didn’t, over the next several months, Ren convinced me that he did it from a place of love.
Miles had never confessed anything like that to me, but we had talked about our growing feelings. Whether what he felt was love or just deep affection, he was the kind of man who would put me and my dreams first. The problem was, it only made me love him more because of his sacrifice.
“I know the dates you’ve been on weren’t stellar,” she said, leaning her head on my shoulder. “But if you’re not going to send him the letters, then don’t give up on men yet.”
She knew me too well.
“Stellar? Ren, I’m scarred for life over some of those guys. Mama’s boys, guys who look at the mirror more than I do, some who checked out the servers right in front of me,” I scoffed, jumping my shoulder up so her head would fall when she started to laugh.
“Okay, so those didn’t work out. But Paolo was nice, at least,” she said, checking to see what station we were pulling into.
Paolo Renaldi was very nice; confident, with eyes that never strayed from me unlike the others. He owned several restaurants, and on our first date at the one in Rome, he had his chef prepare all my favorite dishes after having asked about them beforehand.
We’d met through Elena at a party and had some great conversations that led to phone calls and four dates.
Paolo was a perfect gentleman. Any girl’s fantasy at six-three, dark curly hair, brown eyes, and a sharp jaw.
On our last date, he kissed me for the first time.
I was nervous but excited, but his kiss, while sweet, lacked a spark.
I called him a few days later and told him that I’d love to stay friends, but only friends. He was shocked but said he understood. How could he possibly understand that I would forever compare every man to Miles Austin?
The next morning, Mama joined us but we were still waiting for Alex and his family. Even without them, Enzo’s house was filled with laughter and conversation. Corinna had cooked enough for an army, as usual, and I was running around behind Ruby trying to get her to eat.
“Don’t bother, Vicky. She will sit down when she’s ready,” Enzo said, opening his arms for his daughter to run into as I chased her. Watching my big hulk of a brother lovingly hold Ruby in his arms was heartwarming. Like so many other things, it reminded me of Miles with MJ.
“It’s a beautiful thing to see him so happy,” Mama said, sitting beside me on the floor, watching them.
“Yeah, it is. I hope she knows he’ll never let her date until she’s forty,” I joked. She put her arm around my shoulder and pulled me in close.
“And you, tesoro? Are you happy?” she asked.
Gathering my enthusiasm, I plastered on a smile and answered, “Yes, Mama. Very happy.”
“Why don’t I believe you then?”
I sat up to face her as Ren and Corinna talked about the latest Turkish show they were watching.
“I am happy, Mama. Work is busy, and Elena said just the other day that she’s having to hire another designer to help with the workload. I’m doing everything I’ve ever wanted.”
I knew I hadn’t convinced her when she stood up and shooed me into the kitchen.
“Victoria, my beautiful girl, you are doing everything you set out to do and more. I’m so proud of you and the neighbors are tired of hearing me talk about you.
” We both laughed because I knew it was true.
Whenever I visited the house, the neighbors hurried into their own.
It was wonderful to have my own apartment, my own space again.
“Why do I feel like there’s a ‘but’ coming?”
“Because there is. Do you honestly think I didn’t notice how sad you’ve been since you got home?
It didn’t make sense then, and now I’m worried even more.
You’d kicked butt and took numbers in San Diego and came back having proved yourself to this Elena,” she said with conviction. “I don’t understand.”
“Kick butt and take names, Mama, not numbers,” I gently corrected. Her English had improved lately, even though I had been so busy. “And I’m fine.”
“I’m not sure I believe you. You’re keeping something from me.
” She put both hands up in frustration, her silver bracelets tinkling with the movement.
Taking a closer look at her, I wasn’t sure how I’d missed the makeup she was wearing.
Taking her all in now, I could see that her hair was different, too.
“Mama, you look amazing. You’re almost glowing. New hair, new makeup. Jewelry,” I said lovingly. “What’s going on?”
She pursed her lips, a sure sign she was holding back something she wanted to say but was hesitating.
“Mama?” I teased. “Have you met someone?” I asked, all of it falling into place.
In a second, she was shushing me wildly. “Don’t let your brother hear you,” she hissed.
Before I could get the scoop, the doorbell rang, and while I was still teasing her to give me an answer, Leonardo Rossi walked into the kitchen.
He and Mama’s eyes met immediately as mine widened. I bit my cheek to keep from laughing out loud.
“Good afternoon, Katerina,” he said, producing a gorgeous bouquet. “Oh, hi, Vicky.”
Mama blushed adorably and took them from him. I waved but was pretty sure he hadn’t noticed.
“Thank you, Leon. They’re beautiful.” As they stared at one another, I was putting it all together.
Leonardo was Sofia and Alex’s father. He owned Aura Cosmetics here in Positano. Being a widower, I could see how he and Mama would find things in common. I couldn’t wait to get the details.
When he finally took his eyes off her and walked into the living room, I pushed her into a corner.
“Leonardo Rossi? You little minx. Or should I call him Leon?” I teased, my voice deepening at her nickname for him.
“Victoria, behave yourself,” she said, trying to be upset but suppressing a smile.
“I know you guys have met before, but how did this happen?” I asked excitedly.
“We met on the Facebook,” she whispered, making me snort.
Her face turned serious, and she asked, “Didn’t I say it right? He’s been helping me practice my English.”
“Ah, I see. Anything else he’s helping you practice?” I teased. She gasped and turned beet red.
“Hey, get in here, Ren has an announcement,” Corinna yelled from the other room.
When Mama and I walked in and sat down, Ren said, “I do have an announcement. You’re all family to me and Vicky, you’re like my sister, so I hope you won’t be mad at me for not telling you first. I’m just so excited.”
“Ren, it’s fine,” I said enthusiastically. “We’ll all find out soon enough anyway. Go on!”
Clapping her hands with a little squeal that made Ruby do the same, she said, “I’ve been offered a position with Palazzo Design Group in Tuscany. They’ve been watching my career and want to bring me on as a senior designer!”
“Ren, that’s amazing,” I said over everyone’s congratulations. “Girl, they’re a big deal. But what’s the bad news?” Her face fell just as the lightbulb went off in my head.
“Our plans to start working on opening our own firm would have to wait if I took this job. But I don’t have to take it. I’d rather work with you any day,” she hurried and said.
“Absolutely not. You’re not passing this up. Think of the experience you’ll get from working for them. This will open doors for you like Elena did for me. No way are you turning them down,” I said adamantly.
“Thanks, amica. If you’re willing to wait a few more years, I’d still want to do this with you when we both have more experience.”
“Then take it,” I said, grabbing her hand. “I’m so proud of you.”
We all hugged her and talked over each other as she shared the details with us.
Later that evening, when everyone had gone to bed, Ren and I were still sitting outside.
“What were you and your Mama whispering about in the kitchen earlier?” she asked.
Looking around, I leaned in closer and said, “You can’t tell anyone. She’s talking to Leonardo.”
Her eyes bugged out of her head, and she clamped her hand over her mouth.