Our Italian Summer

by Jennifer Probst

  I could practically hear the stunned silence in the room. Kate’s voice was threaded with worry. “Um, Fran, I know you have some things going on, but we can do this in about three hours max. We really don’t want to lose this account.”

  “I know. It’ll be a hard loss, but there’s nothing I can do this time. I’m tied up and don’t have three hours. If you can patch Anthony through, I’ll talk to him and see what we can do.”

  “Sure. You can convince him to wait a day or two; you’re amazing at negotiations.”

  She sent the call over.

  I spoke with Anthony, who finally made good on his threat and pulled his entire account.

  When I finally clicked off, I knew I’d let the team down. We’d worked on the account as a group, and my refusal to put in the extra hours to keep a client would affect my reputation.

  Right now, I just didn’t care.

  I sent out the text to Enzo and jumped in the car.

  On my way.

  Soon, the three dots appeared. Already? You fixed it?

  No, I lost the account.

  I’m sorry, cara. I know how important this is to you.

  I read his words, paused my finger on the button, then went for it.

  Yes, but so are you. And my family.

  When the heart emoji danced on my screen, I laughed.

  Then I drove to Lucca.

  CHAPTER THIRTY

  Allegra

  The high medieval walls surrounding the city of Lucca were beautiful, but I couldn’t think of anything but Mom and her stupid broken promises.

  I was so pissed.

  Anger simmered, but it was the hurt that made it worse. I’d actually done it again. Believed she meant it when she said no work for the rest of the week. She’d managed for a while as long as nothing big happened, but the moment a problem cropped up, she disappeared like a guy after a one-night stand. She’d been getting worse the last few years, but now the truth couldn’t be denied anymore.

  Mom cared about her career more than me. Yep, a definite slap in the face, but maybe it was time I stopped spinning my wheels and hoping for a change that would never come.

  This past week, I felt like we’d gotten closer. Since Enzo, she seemed less of her control-freak self and more open. She smiled and laughed and freely gave affection to both me and Nonni. Honestly, she seemed happy for the first time. Didn’t she realize how stressed out work always made her? Her attention constantly on her phone or computer, distracted from the world around her?

  I thought having Enzo here would make a difference, but it didn’t. None of us meant enough to her. It was a good thing she wasn’t involved in a real relationship, because it’d be impossible to maintain. No man would put up with constantly being chosen last.

  I was stuck with it. Enzo wasn’t.

  He must be pissed. Sure, he was acting nice, but I bet inside he was wondering why he’d even come out to visit when he was going to be dumped.

  We began the climb upward to walk the various footpaths on the famous walls. Enzo kept up a steady chatter, probably hoping to distract us, checking his phone for a text message now and then.

  I tried not to snort. She’d be gone for hours, then offer apologies that were too little, too late. But it was probably best he find that out for himself.

  “Ah, she made it. Just in time.”

  I tilted my head, confused, then saw my mom turn the corner and head toward us. I blinked in shock, and she stopped in front of me, her gaze fastened on mine.

  “I made a mistake,” she said firmly. “I broke my promise. So I told my team to handle things and I came right back. Because you’re more important than any client, Allegra. I need you to know that and forgive me.”

  Stunned, I needed a few minutes to register that she was not only back, but being completely direct. “Will they be able to handle it?”

  She paused. “No, I lost the account. But I needed to put my family first this time.”

  She lost a client? My eyes bugged out. “Are you sure?” I asked, a bit off-kilter from her announcement. She’d never lost an account. They were her bread and butter, her life and death.

  “Yes. He started yelling at me and it felt really good to tell him to walk.” A half giggle escaped and she slapped her hand over her mouth. “Unprofessional, I know, but he wanted to use sex to sell gym clothes. Talk about icky.”

  Enzo laughed and hugged her. “Such work is beneath you, cara. We’re glad you’re back and you didn’t miss a thing. You are okay?”

  Something passed between them, a connection and understanding I’d never seen before. Mom gave a deep sigh. “Well, I had another panic attack, but I was able to stop this one before it became full-fledged.”

  My jaw dropped. “What are you talking about? I didn’t know you were having panic attacks!”

  Nonni grabbed her arm in a worried gesture. “You should have called us—we would have come right back. You must lean on your family, Frannie.”

  Mom looked directly at me and explained. “I suffered from a panic attack right before we left for Italy. With you being in trouble and my body falling apart, I thought the trip would help. But every time I handled a work crisis, I seemed to have another breakdown. I just didn’t want to tell anyone or admit it.”

  Nonni dragged in a breath. “Frannie, I should have told you before in the hospital, but you seemed determined to ignore it. Your father suffered from the same type of attacks. They got worse over time, and though I begged him to slow down, he just couldn’t.”

  Mom gasped. “Dad had panic attacks?”

  Nonni nodded. “It was awful, but he was so stubborn, he kept thinking they’d go away. If I’d known you were having more in Italy, I would have told you sooner.”

  Mom sighed. “I had no idea. And I’m noticing my attacks also revolve around work. Stress used to give me a killer edge, but lately—well, lately it’s having the opposite effect.”

  “Please, Frannie. I couldn’t help your dad, but Allegra and I need you. You have to learn how to balance better.” Nonni’s face was carved out in stress and worry.

  “I’m finally realizing that.” She pulled me and Nonni into a quick embrace. “I meant it when I said I wanted things to change. How about we enjoy the day, and I’ll try not to keep any more secrets from both of you. Deal?”

  Joy leapt inside along with a steady flare of hope. She’d come back. She’d lost a client. Maybe there was a chance for our relationship to be different. God knows, I only had my mom and Nonni. I was beginning to realize how important family really is, since they’re the people who know you the best—good and bad—and love you anyway.

  I hugged her hard. “Deal. Thanks for coming back, Mom.”

  “Thanks for not cursing me out or sulking. Now, let’s have some fun.” I almost gasped when Enzo leaned over and kissed her right in front of us, and Mom didn’t flinch. In fact, she glowed.

  He snagged her hand and they walked ahead, leading the way.

  I shared a glance with Nonni. She grinned and gave me a thumbs-up signal, and I smothered a laugh.

  Yeah. Looks like we both fully approved of Mom’s summer romance.

  CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

  Francesca

  “How do you really feel about losing the account?” Enzo asked, his voice low in my ear. I leaned against his chest, with his arms wrapped around my waist. We stood outside in the gardens by the vineyard, enjoying the quiet of the evening and the spill of the shadowy hills in the distance. A firefly lit up and floated around us, then disappeared into the woods.

  “It wasn’t easy,” I admitted, resting into his strength. “It’s a habit for me to jump in and fix things. More than a habit. I love feeling like I’m the only one who has the answers—it gives me a rush of power. This was the first time in my life I dropped a client because I couldn’t give him what
he needed. I’ve built my reputation on being able to deliver whatever a client asks, no matter what time of day. Twenty-four-hour customer service.”

  “It’s scary to change a habit. Do you regret coming to Lucca and not working?”

  “No. Once I made the decision, a weight lifted off my chest, and my panic attack eased. Thank you for the breathing techniques, by the way. They helped a lot.”

  “I’m glad. But I have no doubt you can tackle the attacks as long as your mind is clear and you remember not to fight your body. You were brave to share the truth with your family. It’s hard to open up.”

  “I feel like we’ve all been keeping secrets from one another. Mom told me some truths last night that made me realize I never knew her as a woman—just as a parent. And I had no idea Dad suffered from panic attacks too. It’s time I stopped blaming her for things that I misunderstood when I was growing up. And after Allegra got busted for pot, I figured she was just spinning out of control with her whole future at risk. Now I think she desperately needed my attention.”

  He rocked me gently back and forth. “It’s good to share our secrets. Allegra looked so happy when you came back.”

  “The look on her face was worth everything. We’ve made such progress this past week, and I knew if I let her down again, I may not get another chance. You were right when you told me to think about the consequences of both actions. It helped make my decision. How’d you get so smart?”

  A chuckle reverberated in his chest. “My sisters. They drove me insane, but I learned a lot. Women know more about their inner emotions than men and aren’t afraid to dig deep. They forced me to pay attention.”

  “Your sisters sound amazing, but I still think it’s you.”

  “Me?”

  I pressed a kiss to the back of his hand, his strong, tapered fingers entwining with mine. “Yep. You, Enzo Gagliardi, are an extraordinary man. You didn’t try to bully or influence my decision. You supported me and took care of my family with a smile. I’ve never met anyone like you before.”

  He turned me in his arms and tipped my chin up. I studied the hard angle of his jaw, those gleaming dark eyes, his lower lip quirked in a lazy smirk, his stubble-roughened chin. “I loved spending the day with you, Francesca,” he said, his gaze delving deep into mine. “For the first time, I didn’t have to worry about someone spotting us or how to get close to you without anyone noticing. I loved holding your hand and kissing you in the sunlight, in front of your daughter and mama.”

  “I loved it too,” I whispered, stroking back his hair.

  He’d given us a perfect day. We’d walked on top of the famous walls and gazed down on the town, which reminded me of a hidden jewel in a queen’s crown. The Piazza dell’Anfiteatro was once a Roman amphitheater, and we strolled the elliptical shape lined with various shops, bakeries, and cafés, admiring the merging shades of yellow, cream, and white buildings, all with matching green shutters. He’d brought us to lunch at the popular Da Pasquale, which was usually only open for dinner, but Enzo had arranged a special meal for us. We feasted on ravioli and caprese salad and drank tart limoncello from tiny little cups. The day ended with a visit to the Palazzo Mansi National Museum, where we lingered in the lush gardens.

  When we got home, Allegra and Mom had retired to their rooms, and we’d spent some time chatting on the terrace, my feet in his lap, his hands stroking my legs, while the sun beat down on us. We’d cooked dinner together—rosemary lamb chops with baby potatoes and arugula salad—and finished our wine while taking a long walk on the grounds.

  Now we were left alone, under the star-filled night sky.

  Enzo’s question pulled me out of my reverie. “They understand about us? They seemed to accept me today as more than your tour guide.”

  “Oh yeah, I spilled the beans on that one.” He quirked his brow and I laughed. “I told them the truth—that we both really, really liked each other.”

  “Am I sneaking into your room tonight?”

  “Definitely. That’s why I took the only room on the main floor. But watch the second and third stairs—they creak.”

  “If I get caught, I’ll tell your mama I couldn’t sleep.”

  “Don’t do that. She’ll make you warm milk and sit up with you all night at the kitchen table, talking your ear off. Just tell her you’re sleepwalking and head right into my room.”

  We laughed together, and I felt silly and giddy, drunk on him and the fresh air and the Italian landscape laid out like a visual gift.

  “You are here until Saturday?”

  I nodded, not wanting to think about the end of this. Of us. We had three precious days left and I didn’t want to waste them worrying about the passage of time. “Yes. But right now, it seems like a lifetime away.”

  His eyes crinkled at the corners when he smiled, and he kissed me slow and sweet and deep. “You’re right. Quel che sarà sarà.”

  “What will be will be,” I repeated.

  We slowly made our way inside. Later, he quietly entered my room, and I pulled back the covers to invite him into my bed. His hands tugged off my clothes; his lips burned every inch of my skin; his mouth covered mine when I shook and cried out his name during the long hours of the night. I gave myself to him, body and soul, and finally fell without a safety net, not caring about the future or how he fit into my life or what would happen when I left on Saturday. All I knew was I was happy, and he was with me tonight, and for now, that was enough.

  CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

  Allegra

  “I can’t believe we’re doing this together.”

  I looked up at Ian and my heart did a crazy flip-flop in my chest. From the moment he’d arrived, my body had been acting up. It was like we couldn’t stop sneaking in touches here and there, craving a closeness between us that only intensified after our days apart. He’d regaled me with tales of Assisi, eating nun-cooked lasagna by the monastery and spending his time reflecting and praying. He had an innate calmness that intrigued me—it was as if he carried a glow wherever he went, because it came from the inside. The spillover seemed to bring a light to anyone who was in his presence.

  Including me.

  Now we were cooking in Chef Bernini’s restaurant after shopping at the market. There were only four other people in the class, so Chef spent a lot of time with us individually. I learned how to properly handle a knife for chopping, how to use my senses of smell and taste to balance seasonings, and that I needed to use more salt overall. The kitchen was hot with the ovens on, and the work was hard—he pushed us like students rather than a leisurely cooking class, but I loved it. We rolled and pinched ravioli, created an amazing pesto sauce, and learned how to properly braise broccoli rabe to get it to the perfect texture.

  By the time we sat down to eat our creations, I was starving. Ian shoveled food into his mouth and groaned. “So. Good.”

  I shook my head. “This is incredible. I learned so much—I can’t wait to go home and try all these new recipes.”

  “Well, I learned I’m the sloppiest cook in history. Did you see how many times I got yelled at to clean up my space?”

  I giggled. “He was trying to teach you to clean as you go. But he said your pesto was impressive.”

  “Not as good as yours. You were the star pupil.” His eyes shone with pride. “You have a gift, Allegra. I had no idea you were a boss behind the stove.”

  I flushed with pleasure. “Thanks. I’ve always been interested, but since we came to Italy, I’ve figured out I definitely want to do more. Take some classes this year. Maybe get a part-time job in a restaurant. We have so many farm stands and organic butchers, I’d love to start prepping more food that’s healthy and simple.”

  “You can even help with the food pantries,” he pointed out. “There are many poor people who get fed from a can or box because it’s cheap. But they deserve real food to eat also, especially
the kids.”

  I’d never thought of that. “Nonni’s church has a food pantry. Maybe I’ll look into it.”

  “How’s it going with your mom?”

  “Really good. For the first time, she said no to a work emergency. She even lost the client—which has never happened to her.”

  “That’s huge. It seems like you’re both finally listening to each other. When my parents accepted my decision to go into the seminary, I felt like we got to rebuild our relationship. I’d been so resentful of them, and they were always pissed at me and my stubbornness. We reached a breaking point, and I didn’t even return home for Christmas two years ago.” His blue eyes held a gleam of sadness from the memory. “It sucked. It took me a few times to be the one to try and explain why it was important to me. They admitted they were trying to get me to live a life they wanted—which I actually understand. Hell, if I had kids, I’d probably bully them into what I felt was good for them. I’m just glad we broke through and communicated.”

  “Yeah, same thing with my mom. Every time I brought up cooking, she’d wave it off like I was being silly. Said I hadn’t worked so hard to do something beneath me. But she’s finally listening to me and seems to really be interested in what I want. Enzo is good for her.”

  “I had no idea they’d hooked up on the tour. Did you?”

  “No! Not until the last leg when I noticed them on the bus. I’ve never seen my mom even have a date before. It’s like she’s been a nun since I was born.”

  He laughed. “Is it weird for you?”

  “No, I love it. God knows, I’ve craved a dad in my life forever. Or even some type of male role model—other than her and Nonni, I had no one else. It got lonely.”

  “Yeah, me too. I always wanted a sibling, but I do have a bunch of cousins, so that helped. Though one of them was a bully and liked beating me up.”