Chapter 28
Marco’s apartment was only a few streets from the rowing club with views over the lagoon.
Two floors up, the high-arched windows let in the bright golden light.
The décor was muted creams and soft browns, like an interior designer had devised everything for ‘executive living’.
The small kitchen had dark, modern units but the space didn’t feel bleak; it felt serene and calm, like entering a spa.
Beth suddenly felt like she was seeing a whole new side to Marco.
A part of him he kept hidden from most people.
There were pictures of his family on shelves in the living room, his nieces and nephews smiling out at her, and it reminded her of the connection she and Marco had had.
Something special and strong. There were books too, more than she’d thought he’d have, of all different genres.
‘I’m going to take a shower and warm up,’ he said, his teeth still chattering after the short walk.
People had stared at him in his soggy, dishevelled state, but he’d kept his head down and spoken to no one but her.
‘Help yourself to anything you like. You must need a strong coffee after what happened.’
‘I definitely could.’
He took a few steps towards his bedroom before pausing and turning back. ‘You were magnificent looking after Emilio, knowing exactly what to do.’
‘I could say the same about you. You saved him.’
He dropped his eyes shyly. ‘I don’t know. I’ll – I’ll be back soon.’
He stepped into the bedroom, closing the door behind him.
She heard the sound of the shower and hoped the hot water would revive him.
Images of his body flashed across her mind, but as the adrenalin began to subside, she felt worn out, her eyelids heavy.
If she sat down he might come out to find her fast asleep on the comfortable-looking sofa.
They both needed a large, strong cup of coffee.
While she found cups and coffee, Marco emerged, dressed in clean, dry clothes, towel-drying his dark hair.
He’d never looked more handsome, and swoon-worthy and she forced herself to keep a tight hold on her feelings.
Her heart still hurt whenever she thought of him asking her to leave his parents’ house and the humiliation still burned the back of her neck as the moment replayed.
She didn’t want to be hurt like that again.
She handed Marco a cup of coffee. ‘How are you feeling now?’
‘Warmer.’ He smiled and she looked away.
‘This is a beautiful apartment.’
‘It is. I like being here. It’s calmer, peaceful. Murano always feels busy and noisy – probably because of my family always being there. But here – this is my refuge.’
He sat and Beth went to the window, eager to see the views of the city. She cupped her hands around her mug, warming her fingers.
‘Beth,’ Marco said, drawing her attention. ‘I need to thank you again for helping Emilio.’
‘I didn’t do much, Marco. It was you who acted quickly. I just kept him warm and called an ambulance.’
‘No, you didn’t panic once we got him out.
You did everything right and you helped Francesca.
I’m forever grateful you were there. And—’ He grabbed his still-damp hair at the back of his head and Beth knew he was nervous.
‘I’m sorry. I’m sorry for everything that happened at dinner that night.
When I found out about Cesca and Emilio, I was angry, and I shouldn’t have directed that at you.
It wasn’t your fault Cesca had made you keep a secret. ’
So they were finally going to have a conversation about it.
‘I was friends with her before I even met you. When she told me, I didn’t know what to do. I couldn’t do anything without betraying my friend and as we … grew closer, I did everything I could to get her to tell you, but it wasn’t my secret to share.’
‘I know. I was wrong. I’m so sorry. You said Francesca told you about my first business partner?’ She nodded, drawing her eyes back to him. ‘I shouldn’t have trusted him and since then, I try not to trust people at all.’
‘That’s not very healthy, you know.’
‘I know. But I felt like Emilio and Cesca had betrayed me. They could have just told me.’
‘And you’d have listened?’ There was a teasing edge to her voice, but she felt it was a point she had to make.
Marco sipped his coffee, glancing at her over the rim.
‘I know I wouldn’t have taken it well no matter when I was told, and I shouldn’t have blamed you for that.
I’m sorry. Today I saw how much Emilio and Cesca really care for each other.
And I – I’d already realised how much I want you in my life. How much I love you.’
The words reverberated around the silent apartment, ricocheting in her head, bouncing from one side of her skull to another. He’d said it before but hearing it now, after everything had happened that day, it was like he was speaking a foreign language. One she wasn’t fluent in. ‘You love me?’
‘I do.’ He stood, placing his cup down and moving towards her.
Beth’s hands and legs began to shake, and she leaned against the wall for support.
He cupped her cheek, his thumb brushing her skin softly.
He dipped his head to kiss her and though she wanted this more than anything, pain and anger shot up inside her.
Hurt rippled through her body that it had taken a near-death experience for him to realise it wasn’t her fault when he could have just spoken to her, but instead, he’d closed himself off and returned to the distant businessman she’d first met. She stepped backwards.
‘What is it?’ Hurt flashed across his features and suddenly anger burned inside her.
‘Marco, we can’t just go back to where we were before.’
‘But … why? I’ve apologised. I am truly sorry for what happened, and I promise you it won’t ever happen again. And I want the same as you. I want us, not necessarily a family – children, but us.’
That he wanted the same things as her almost swayed her, but she needed to say what was on her mind. If she didn’t, what sort of future would they have anyway?
‘I believe your apology, but do you not understand how hurt and humiliated I was? You made me leave your house, in front of all your family.’ He dropped his eyes, stepping away from her and swallowing.
‘And then you just went to ground, causing everyone to worry about you. Cesca was beside herself. She felt she was to blame for everything. So did I.’
‘I just needed some space to think. I love you, Beth. I’m sorry for the way I behaved. I didn’t mean to humiliate you. I – I wasn’t thinking.’
‘I understand you needed space, Marco, and that things have happened to you that have caused wounds, but you pushed me away so fiercely and now, now you’ve decided you’re over it you want to just start again?’ She took a deep breath.
‘Beth—’
‘I was falling in love with you too and you just shut me out.’
His head snapped up, hope flashing across his features.
‘I just … I think I need some time too. Because if this is how you react to things, if you’re going to always shut me out when something goes wrong, or when you’re upset, I don’t think I can deal with that. I need someone who’s going to talk to me, who wants to fix things together.’
He took another step back and spoke softly, defeated.
‘I understand you’re still hurting and I’m sorry.
I – I didn’t mean to mess everything up.
If you need more time, I’ll respect that, but please know I won’t ever do that to you again.
Like you, I’ve always been focused on my work and relationships … I have a lot to learn.’
She wanted to believe him, but pain was still pulsing inside her.
It had been such an emotional and terrifying day she didn’t think it was the right time to make any decisions at all, let alone one so important.
She smiled softly at him and kissed him gently on the cheek, then went to the kitchen and placed her cup on the side before grabbing her coat and closing the door behind her.
In turmoil, she didn’t know if she’d made the right or wrong decision and part of her wanted to run back in and throw her arms around him, but another told her she needed to think slowly and logically.
She’d spent the whole year so far making off-the-cuff, rash decisions and look where it had led her: with a business she loved but with a heart in tatters.
It was time to revert to her old ways. Her careful, practical, safe ways and protect her poor broken heart.