Chapter Twenty-two
RONAN
Nine Years Earlier
NEW YORK CITY
Central Park was buzzing with life around us as my Papa and I strolled along.
“How’s med school, mio figlio? It’s been too long since we had you back home.”
“Va... bene,32” I replied, the words feeling clumsy. Truth was, I’d missed my family more than I could put into words, but I wasn’t about to admit that to him now.
As we walked, I spotted a single, bright peony standing proudly among the green of the garden. “Mamma would like that one,” I murmured, already picturing her smile.
Then, as I moved forward, my hand brushed against someone’s—a soft, gentle touch that felt surprisingly electric.
I looked up, and there she was: deep, chocolate-brown eyes meeting mine, long, curly hair catching in the breeze, a natural blush on her cheeks seemingly from the heat, and the most glowy melanin skin I’ve ever seen in my life.
She smiled, the smallest, hesitant curve of her lips, and for a moment, I forgot how to breathe.
“Oh, I’m so sorry,” she apologized, her voice soft and lilting.
Wait, she has an Italian accent.
I shook my head, completely taken aback. “You never have to apologize for bumping into me.”
She glanced down, laughing a little as she brushed a strand of hair behind her ear, and I turned to my papà, who was watching us. The corners of his mouth quirked up with that all-knowing look parents have.
“I’ll see you back at the house, figlio,” he said, a grin in his tone as he waved. “Buona passeggiata!33”
The goddess of a woman looked at me, still smiling, and I took a breath, turning to her fully. “Would you like to go on a walk?”
She raised an eyebrow, her eyes sparkling with amusement. “I bump into you, and now you want to walk with me?”
“Absolutely,” I grinned. “You’re far too beautiful for me to leave behind.”
Her blush deepened, and she laughed, soft and warm. “How could I say no to that?”
We walked together, the city fading around us, the rhythm of her voice and our steps filling the space. Something about her felt comforting, familiar, like I’d known her forever. Then I caught a familiar lilt in her words and smiled.
“Are you Italian, by any chance?”
“Tuscany.” She laughed, surprised. “I’m here visiting family. And you?”
“Milan,” I replied, nodding. “I’m here for med school.”
“Ah, a future doctor,” she teased, arching an eyebrow. “Very serious and studious?”
“Occasionally,” I grinned, nudging her playfully. “But on special occasions, like today, I can be quite charming.”
“Oh, really?” she laughed, rolling her eyes. “You seem pretty confident in your charms.”
“Only because they seem to be working,” I shot back, feeling a little more daring with every step. “But enough about me… what about you? Surely you don’t spend your days wandering Central Park, waiting to bump into strangers.”
She shrugged, her gaze drifting to the trees ahead. “I needed a bit of a break, actually. My cousins told me it’s good for thinking. Sei d’accordo?34”
“Sono d’accordo.35” I nodded. “It’s a much better classroom, in my opinion.”
“And far less stressful, I bet.” She laughed, giving me a sidelong glance. “It must be nice to take a break from all that responsibility.”
“Nice doesn’t even begin to describe it,” I replied, meeting her gaze, feeling lighter than I had in months. “Besides, a chance encounter with someone like you was something I didn’t expect today.”
She gave me a shy smile, looking down for a moment. “I think… It’s been a good surprise for me, too.”
“And here we are,” I replied, pausing beneath a tree with blossoms overhead, the setting sun casting a golden glow around us. “I don’t want this day to end.”
Her gaze met mine, soft and warm, her voice barely above a whisper. “I was thinking the same thing.”
I hesitated, knowing I didn’t want to let her walk away without a way to find her again. “By the way, I don’t even know your name. We can’t be strangers forever, can we?”
She gave a small, amused smile, eyes meeting mine. “It’s Nina.”
“Nina,” I repeated, letting the name settle on my tongue. “Perfect name for a perfect day. I’m Ronan.”
“Well, Ronan,” she murmured, her voice filled with that same quiet warmth, “nice to meet you.”
Finally, I took a step back, unsure if I could leave without a promise to see her again. “Would it be too forward if I asked for your number?”
She tilted her head, eyes bright with a hint of challenge. “You tell me, Ronan.”
“How about I give you mine instead? You can text me… if you want to.”
She pulled out her phone, and I typed in the number before glancing up and smiling softly. “Alright, Ronan. Maybe I will.”
As I stared back, she added with a little laugh, “Thank you. I needed to clear my head, and… well, I definitely did that.”
I nodded, feeling lighter than I had in a long time. “I’m glad I could help.”
With one last smile, she turned to leave, and all I could do was hope I’d see Nina again.