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He turned to her. She was still the spitfire he remembered. “Listen, Petra, I have a lot on my mind.”
“Let’s grab some lunch, and if you want, you can talk to me. I’m a pretty good listener.”
He wasn’t sure about opening up to Petra, especially about Stasia, but the thought of sharing a meal and reliving some memories appealed to him. What could it hurt?
* * *
What was up with Roberto?
Why had he insisted she go on this day trip while he remained on the ship?
The questions whirled around in Stasia’s mind as she walked with Roberto’s family to the center of Sibenik. The city had that historic village feel, with monuments representing the past and architecture that had definitely been around for quite a while. There was lots to see and learn, but Stasia was having problems concentrating on what the tour guide was saying. And so she finally bowed out of the group, claiming a headache, which wasn’t far from the truth.
As she made her way back to the boat, she tried to figure out what to say to Roberto. Everything had been fine until they became engaged. With each passing day, it was becoming increasingly complicated.
Obviously Roberto had second thoughts about things—about her. After all, she did come with baggage. She was pretty certain none of the other women he’d dated had been widows.
But the thought of him backing out of her life after all they’d shared was unacceptable. She liked Roberto—really liked him. And she thought he really liked her too.
Maybe things had gotten off track. Maybe he was confused about the kiss at the wedding as much as her. If they talked, they could work things out. She was certain of it.
She went straight to his cabin and knocked on the door. “Roberto, it’s me, Stasia.”
No answer.
She knocked again but didn’t hear a word.
That was strange. She thought he’d been in his room working, but then again, it was a beautiful sunny day. Perhaps he’d decided to move to the deck. So off she went to find him.
She pulled out her phone and texted him.
Am back. Where are U?
There was no response. That was odd.
She kept walking and looking around. Surely he wouldn’t have gone ashore, would he? No. He was very determined to unravel the mystery of those files that his grandfather had given him. He had to be here somewhere—
And then she spotted him. He was smiling. He was laughing.
Her gaze moved across the table at the café to a beautiful woman who was laughing too. And then the woman reached out to Roberto, covering his hand with her own. The breath stilled in Stasia’s throat. What in the world was going on?
Roberto didn’t pull away. Instead he leaned toward the young woman and said something that Stasia couldn’t hear from this distance. He continued to smile and stare into this woman’s eyes.
Something cold and dark churned in the pit of Stasia’s stomach. Her body tensed and her hands clenched. This was why he’d blown her off today?
Why did she think he had changed? He was the same playboy bachelor he’d always been. Playing her besotted fiancé must be killing him with all these single beautiful women on board.
Not wanting to get caught staring at the happy couple, she turned on her heels and headed for her cabin. If he was already moving on from the moment they’d shared, then she needed to do the same. She had a career to settle on—a reason to get out of bed every morning—something to fill the emptiness in her life.
And Roberto obviously had nothing to do with her future.
DAY ELEVEN
Bari, Italy
THE FOLLOWING MORNING had come and gone.
And yet there wasn’t any sign of Stasia.
Roberto was certain she was upset with him for skipping out on the outing yesterday with his family. He didn’t blame her. And if he hadn’t been so conflicted about the chemistry coursing between them, he would have gone with them.
He didn’t know why spending time with Stasia was getting to him. He was thinking about things that he had no business considering where she was concerned—like pulling her into his arms and kissing her until she couldn’t think of anyone but him. And no matter how many times he reminded himself of all the reasons that getting involved with her wasn’t a good idea, when he closed his eyes at the end of the day, it was her face that he saw. And when sleep finally claimed him, she was in his dreams warming his bed.
