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His grandmother’s eyes widened. “So you’re saying you’ve been seeing her for quite a while?”
He paused. It all depended on what she meant by “seeing.” He’d spent quite a bit of time with Stasia since her husband passed away. Xander had been trying to get Stasia started in his business, and when he was preoccupied with working things out with Lea, Roberto had strived to make Stasia feel welcome.
“What is this inquisition all about?” He cut to the chase. “If you want me to end things with Stasia, it’s not going to happen.”
He surprised not only his grandmother but himself with such a declaration. The fact it was true was all the more startling. He didn’t want this thing with Stasia to end.
His grandmother’s gaze widened. “So you’re telling me you care about this woman?”
He nodded. It was true. But caring was different than loving someone. He was a long way from that.
His grandmother’s gaze searched his. “In that case, I have something for you.”
She reached over and pulled a small black velvet box from her purse. She placed it on the table and pushed it toward him. The box sat there in front of him like some ominous apparition.
“Go ahead and open it. It won’t bite you.”
He had a feeling it would do much worse. He knew what was in the box without opening it.
His grandmother was calling him out on his story. She was going to make him prove his commitment to Stasia. Could he do something like that?
He reached forward and took the box in his hands. He pried it open and found a stunning diamond ring inside set in white gold. His first thought was that it would look perfect on Stasia’s delicate hand. And the next thought was that he was in trouble—very big trouble.
He tried to form words to say something and utterly failed. There was a disconnect between his shocked mind and his dry mouth. He sat quietly staring at the dazzling ring.
“That belonged to your great-grandmother. My mother. I’ve been saving it all these years and now I want you to have it. I want you to give it to the woman who you pledge your heart and life to.” She glanced at her wristwatch. “Look at the time. I have to go meet your grandfather.”
And with that, they parted ways. He slipped the ring box in his pocket. It felt like it was burning a hole through his clothes. He’d had absolutely no idea that his grandmother had been saving this for him.
Part of him was touched that his grandmother entrusted him with a family heirloom, but another part of him was angry that she had his life planned out for him. His grandmother had this ring and this ship full of women because she was bound and determined he should be married because it was the way things were done—even though he’d told her marriage wasn’t for him. It obviously wasn’t for his absent parents either and look where that had gotten them.
And then there was his grandfather with this problem that needed to be solved. Was there a problem? Or was his grandfather trying to lure him back into the family business?
Roberto got the distinct impression that he was being played. And he didn’t like it one little bit. And the more he thought about it, the less guilty he felt about his fake engagement.
DAY SEVEN
Venice, Italy
WHY HAD HE worked so late?
Today there was no room for tiredness.
This was their first day in Venice. And most important, it was Stasia’s birthday.
After a cold shower and two espressos, Roberto was feeling so much more like himself. And he couldn’t think of anything he wanted to do more than to make Stasia smile. When she was happy, her radiance lit up everything in her orbit, including him.
He’d wanted to throw her a party with all the trimmings, but she’d firmly refused. He would have to do something low-key, but that didn’t mean it couldn’t be special. And he had the perfect thing in mind. He was keeping it a surprise.
They weren’t the only ones going ashore. The ship practically emptied at this stop. He glanced over at Stasia. She was beaming with anticipation.
“Where are we going?” Stasia watched as some passengers went one direction while Roberto took her hand and headed in the opposite direction. “Roberto?” She dug her heels in and they came to a stop. “I’m not going any farther until you speak to me.”
