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“Because you never got wedding pictures.”
There are tickets for a luxury cruise from Salvatore and Marialena, a painting of the ocean from Tosca. A monthly subscription to spa services, a beautiful diamond necklace, and a few other special things. There's a family recipe book from Eden, with handwritten notes on little recipe cards. "These are the beginner ones," she says with a smile.
"As in, open the microwave and push a button?”
Adriano shrugs. “Food is food.”
Right, right, weirdo.
We get money, and more gift cards, but the one I'm most fascinated with is a little envelope Tosca gives us with a key inside. "That's your key to our family home in Tuscany. Visit anytime you like."
I reach for Adriano's hand, suddenly choked up. What would it be like to go back to Italy with him? “Thank you.”
Eden presses little ivory notecards into my hand. “For later,” she says.
Mario and Tavi bring in trays of dessert and people begin to wander about the huge estate, leaving me and Adriano alone.
“It’s later,” I say, because curiosity is killing me.
Adriano takes one of the notecards and unfolds it, reading the top line.
“Ah.‘What’s your advice for a happy marriage?’”
I unfold mine, which says,
Never let the sun go down on your anger.
“Easy,” Adriano says.
“Oh, really? Do you think sex and a session at the club will solveallof our arguments?”
He pretends to think it over. “Yes.”
I laugh and take another card from his hand.
Make sure to listen more than you talk.
Adriano grimaces. “Please don’t do that. I like your chatter.”
“Good, because you just bought me a chocolate shop.”
I hear the advice, though. Prioritize my husband’s need to communicate as much as my own.
He reads another.
Always give your spouse the benefit of the doubt.
“Now that’s a good one,” I say, shaking my head. “So much heartache could be avoided.”
“Agreed. What’s yours say?”
Take time for your friendship. Infatuation doesn’t last and beauty fades, but friendship is forever.
“I love that.” We’re quiet for a moment while I hold the heavykey to Tuscany in my hand and finger the fancy edges.
“Adriano? Would you take me to Tuscany? Would you be alright going back to Italy?”
“Are you kidding me? I haven’t had good pizza in fucking years.” He sobers and nods before he pulls me to him and kisses my forehead.
“Quinn, I’ll go anywhere with you.”
He holds my hand. “Maybe that’s the most important thing of all?I’ll go anywhere with you.”
* * *
