Before all the past had tumbled out in a torrent of pain and confusion, she’d known that time would fly by in each other’s arms. But to indulge in that now, even a kiss, would make their parting all the more heartbreaking. At least it would be that way for her.
She wanted to leave here the way she’d arrived. Chin up, determined to keep a careful distance from Luciano Duchelini.
“I’d better go now. There is so much I’ve left to do.” She set her Scotch on the desk as she rose and started toward the door.
“Caprice,” he said when she opened the door, and she steadied her nerves to look back at the most handsome man she’d ever met. “Would you join me for dinner tonight?”
She summoned up a polite smile. She’d been too nervous to eat much more than a few bites today, but all thought of food sickened her now in anticipation of their eventual parting. “I’d love to, but today is already packed. I have a meeting with the new staff now, and I want to find a flight out in the morning. Tonight I’ll pack for the trip home.”
His lips thinned, but he inclined his head once. “I’ll arrange your transportation needs for you.”
“Thank you.” Did he have to sound too eager to see her off? She shook her head, refusing to show the pain this caused her, and told him the time.
She closed the door behind her and calmly strode through the outer office when every instinct in her begged her to run, to scream. If his PA noticed her state of distress, she held comment and continued sitting at her computer, diligently working.
Halfway down the hall Caprice gathered enough composure to return to the therapy pod. It took an hour to go over last-minute details with the staff. The pleasant surprise was seeing they’d received close to sixty applications for enrollment today and the phones were still ringing.
Success tasted sweet, but the sourness of heartbreak erased any pleasure. If she could just hold at bay the eventual breakdown of her emotions until she was away from her, until she was alone, she would be grateful.
Darkness had crept over the lodge by the time she found her suite. She’d no more than locked the door and kicked off her shoes when a knock came at the door.
She bit her lip, debating if she should ignore it. “Who is it?”
“Room service, Signorina Tregore.”
A red flag waved before her eyes, but she fished several euros from her purse and opened the door. A smiling young man on the wait staff pushed a cart inside, the plate covered with a gleaming silver dome. Beside it sat one single yellow rose in a crystal vase.
“Shall I serve?” the waiter asked.
She shook her head and pressed the bills into his hands. “Thanks, but I’d rather wait awhile before I eat.”
“Grazie!” he said with a bow and backed out the door.
A twist of the lock secured her privacy and a lift of the white drape over the table ensured there wasn’t another surprise waiting for her there. The sealed white envelope on the cart stared back at her.
She knew before she broke the seal and pulled out the note that it was from Luciano, written in his bold, clearly read hand. “It is for the best this way. Luc.”
Was it?
The note fell from her hands and her vision blurred. Pain knifed through her, drawing emotional blood. Yes, her mind agreed with him, but her heart wasn’t buying it. Her heart wanted the man. Wanted his love.