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And ever since, they’d fallen into a comfortable companionship that included clasped hands, warm smiles and a mounting number of kisses. But where was it leading? Where did he want it to go?
The walls started closing in on him. He made his way down the passageway, not paying much attention to his surroundings or the people he passed. He kept moving up the steps, through the doorway and across the deck until he was at the rail. He stared out at the water.
He inhaled the sea air, wishing it would clear his thoughts. But thoughts of their three days in Venice kept replaying in his mind. He should have called a halt to this relationship a long time ago.
And then at the wedding, it was like it had made their engagement official. For all intents and purposes, it was—at least as far as his family was concerned—
Ding.
It was a text message. Roberto was tempted to ignore it, but he knew he was expected to accompany Stasia along with his family into Sibenik today. He wasn’t in any frame of mind to put on a show for everyone.
The question he couldn’t answer was what exactly did he feel for Stasia? When they departed the boat back in Athens, they’d each go back to their life as though none of this had happened. Wouldn’t they?
Ding.
He removed his phone from his pocket and glanced at the screen. It was Stasia.
Where are you?
I’ve changed my mind. I’m not going.
Then neither am I.
Go ahead. Enjoy yourself. I’ve got work to do.
I’d rather stay with you. I could help.
Go with the family. They adore you. I’ll see you later.
Silence. Then he sent another message.
We okay?
Sure.
Roberto slipped his phone back in his pocket. He started walking. He had no particular destination in mind. Maybe some physical activity would help wear away his frustration.
Time passed slowly. For all of the walking he was doing, he should have gone with Stasia into the city. But he told himself the distance was for the best. Being together day in and day out was confusing things, making this little fantasy they’d concocted seem like reality instead of fiction.
Later, he’d have a talk with Stasia. He’d reaffirm that this thing between them—it couldn’t last. There was no way. He was a sworn bachelor. And she was a widow still mourning her husband. And then there was Xander, who would not be pleased about any of this. Definitely too many hurdles for them to cross.
“Roberto?”
He stopped walking and glanced around, not sure who’d called his name. And then he spotted a young woman waving at him. She looked slightly familiar, but he couldn’t put a name to the face.
She rushed up to him. “Alone at last.”
He wasn’t sure what to say to that, so he pretended he hadn’t heard her. “Do we know each other?”
She smiled at him. “It has been a number of years, but we used to see each other when I visited my grandparents.”
He studied her for a moment. Upon closer look, she did look familiar. It took a moment, but then it came to him. “Little Petra?”
Her smile broadened. “Not so little anymore.”
They hugged. It seemed like forever since he’d recalled those days. Petra’s grandparents used to live down the road from his. A lot had changed since those days, but so much had stayed the same. It was funny how life worked out.
“Did my grandmother invite you on this cruise?” When she nodded, he continued. “I’m so sorry. She had no right to do that.”
Petra shook it off. “It’s no big deal. I needed the vacation. But it sounds like you were holding out on your grandmother. I hear congratulations are in order.”
“Um...thanks.”
She arched a brow. “That doesn’t sound very excited.”
Petra had been cool to hang out with when they were kids. She always seemed to have her life together and there wasn’t any argument she couldn’t win. It only seemed natural she would become a litigator. His grandmother had made sure to keep him up to date on Petra’s accomplishments and the fact that she was still available.
“I should be going,” he said. “It was good to see you again.”
When he started to walk away, she reached out to him. “Wait. That’s it. You’re just going to leave?”
