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Torture for them both.
If she did not extend to him the traditional farewell it would give rise to comments. Her omission would be noted and it would be awkward indeed.
He sat at the head of the table, and as she bent she put her hand on its surface to make as little contact with Nico as she could.
His cheek was cool when her lips brushed it. His scent she tried to obliterate by not breathing in. But because her brother leaned forward to ladle out more pasta she had to move quickly and put out a hand on Nico’s shoulder.
It was solid and warm.
One cheek to go.
Both were holding their breath.
Their desire was like the cattails and the bulrushes, waiting to be snapped open and for a million seeds to fly out and expand.
‘Be safe,’ he told her, in a voice that was somewhat gruff.
She gave the tiniest unreadable smile, and in it was a glint of danger as she straightened up.
‘I’m not your problem, Nico.’
She was, Nico knew, looking for trouble tonight.
Hell.
CHAPTER FOUR
Later on the night that neither can forget…
‘WE SHOULD HAVE got out.’
Aurora turned and looked at Antonietta as the three friends sat on the hillside, watching the ominous glow.
‘We’ll make it,’ Chi-Chi said. ‘There is soon to be a storm.’
‘And with storms come lightning,’ Antonietta pointed out. ‘I wish I had left. I wish I had taken off to…’ She thought for a moment. ‘Paris.’
‘But you don’t speak French,’ Aurora said.
‘I’m learning it.’ Antonietta shrugged, and then was silent for another moment before continuing. ‘Pa says we shall have a proper party after the fires. I’m getting engaged.’
Chi-Chi let out a squeal and jumped up in excitement.
‘To Sylvester,’ Antonietta added, and she looked to Aurora, who had to fight not to pull a face.
For Antonietta and Sylvester were second cousins, and Aurora was sure this was a match to keep money within the family rather than for love.
‘Are you happy?’ Aurora asked carefully.
Antonietta was silent for a very long time, and then she shrugged an odd response. ‘C’est la vie!’
Aurora didn’t really know what that meant, but she could hear the weary resignation in her friend’s voice and it troubled her.
‘I hear your Nico is back,’ Antonietta said.
‘He is not my Nico,’ Aurora said.
‘No,’ Chi-Chi agreed, and made a scoffing noise. ‘You should forget about him,’ she said. And then she nudged her as a fire truck turned into the hillside, bringing weary firefighters for a break, some food, and maybe a kiss…
