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“Besides,” he says, turning toward me, “everything I love comes from there.”

My heart does something funny at those words, and I decide not to examine it too closely.

“So, Mr. Future Restaurant Mogul.” I tuck my legs beneath me. “What exactly are you putting on the menu?”

“Everything.”

I laugh. “That's not an answer.”

“It is if I'm ambitious enough.”

“I love that you’re so sure, not afraid to believe in your dream.” I look down at our joined hands. “I don’t know if I’ll ever publish my cookbook.”

“You will.”

“Why are you so sure?”

“Because when you talk about cooking, your whole face lights up. People should learn from someone who loves it that much.”

For a second, I can't speak.

Nobody has ever believed in me so easily.

“So, when I open Tirreno and become rich and famous, you'll be writing your cookbooks and teaching people how to make fresh pasta and bread.”

“And what if your restaurant never happens?”

He looks horrified.

“Vita mia, have a little faith.”

I laugh.

“And what if my cookbooks never happen?”

He lifts my hand and presses a kiss against my knuckles.

“Then I guess I'll have to make sure those dreams happen.” He leans in and kisses my lips softly. “I can’t wait to see your cookbooks in every bookstore someday.”

“You really believe I can do that?”

He looks at me like I've asked the stupidest question in the world.

“Vita, there's nothing you can't do.”

“Nothing?”

“Nothing.” His fingers close around mine. “And I'll spend the rest of my life reminding you of that.”

I don't know why, but I find myself trying to memorize the moment. The warmth of his hand around mine, the sound of his voice, all the ridiculous, impossible dreams we're building together. I want to hold on to every second of it.

The conversation fades and we sit quietly for a while.

The city glows gold across the water. Somewhere behind us, a dog barks and a sailboat drifts slowly across the lake.

I rest my head against Damiano's shoulder, and his arm immediately wraps around me, easy and natural, like it belongs there.

For a while neither of us says anything.