Page 26 of An Italian Wedding Adventure

‘Very serious,’ she agreed, still trying not to laugh. ‘“No one gets married until I say so,”’ she imitated him, pitching her voice low. ‘I couldn’t help it,’ she defended herself when he pinned her with a dubious look. ‘I get it. Their dreams of getting married somewhere unique aren’t worth twenty people slipping to their death – or one person breaking their leg. We can have a special signal. “Are we all clear for the wedding?” “Roger that, all clear. Code green. They’re getting married.” “Copy that, code green.”’

‘Have you ever spoken into a radio?’ he asked doubtfully.

Sophie snatched a piece of bread and tore it apart as she answered. ‘I have, actually.’

‘Ah, wedding radio? A big event where you had to keep in touch with your minions to avert the champagne emergencies.’

‘The best tool for avoiding champagne emergencies is good planning,’ she imitated him. ‘And I don’t have minions. It’s usually just Ginny with me or one of the casual managers and occasionally, we wear portable radios.’

‘Ginny’s the one with the—’ He gestured to the spot on his own chin where Sophie’s colleague wore a stud in her labret piercing.

Sophie nodded.

‘This wedding will be a bit different to your usual.’

‘There is no “usual”. That’s what I like about destination weddings. But yes, this is quite a bit more complicated than the other outdoor weddings I’ve arranged.’

He drained the last of his wine, his knife and fork lay neatly on his plate. He didn’t quite have a smile on his face, but he was leaning back in his chair, his posture relaxed. Perhaps this was the right time.

‘You do realise,’ she began, not meeting his gaze, ‘that you said no one gets married untilyousay so.’

With a long sigh, he rested one hand on the table. ‘I did notice that.’

‘Reshma is keen for this wedding to be a success – a blueprint of sorts. Proof of concept. I’m pretty sure Willard is eager to see everything turn out well too, as a sign that this merger could actually work.’ She paused. ‘And I don’t think you’re going to be able to bow out once you’ve helped me plan this part. You’ll need to see it through to the end.’

When she risked a glance up, she found him watching her thoughtfully. ‘Do you want me to? Really?’

No. Yes!She paused to gather her thoughts, marvelling at how quickly he’d turned this back on her.

‘I want this wedding to work.’

‘It’ll work, with or without me. Kira and Laurie are both experienced guides and Willard has another twenty names on his books. It doesn’t have to be me.’

His words took her back to that disastrous day when she’d asked him to marry her. She couldn’t remember exactly what he’d said, but the sentiment had been the same, as though she’d be able to replace him with a snap of her fingers. She bristled at the memory.

‘You’re right, it doesn’t have to be you. But my boss is also right, you are the best choice for this area, this situation. You know that. Whether I want you on my team for personal reasons is beside the point.’ She caught herself, wondering if those words had come out wrong. ‘As long as you refrain from mentioning your views on marriage – and we don’t start… reminiscing in front of the wedding party?—’

His eyebrows shot up and Sophie could have choked on her words – definitely poorly chosen this time.

‘I don’t mean?—’

‘I didn’t think you meant?—’

‘I was obliquely referring to our arguments, not… getting reacquainted.’ She blushed so completely, even the tips of her ears burned.

‘You’re full of pretty ways to say things this evening,’ he said with an irritatingly straight face. There was a softness in his eyes that drew her in, as though the good memories of their time together could banish some of the bad – for him at least.

The restaurant manager who’d taken their order set their desserts on the table with a flourish – tiramisu for Sophie and panna cotta for Andreas. He leaned his elbows on the table and studied her, obviously taking his time to formulate his next sentence.

As punishment for his lengthy hesitation, she stole a blueberry from his bowl. But instead of a scowl, he smiled and pushed his dessert in her direction.

‘Have whatever you like.’

Lifting her spoon hesitantly, she gestured to her bowl. ‘Do you want to try?—?’

He shook his head. Waiting until she’d taken a spoonful of strawberry and thickened cream – okay, two spoons – he said something she would never have expected. ‘Euphemisms aside, I think it would be good to get reacquainted.’

‘You do?’

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