Page 56 of Ciao, Amore

“Nah, it was a big deal back then. Lots of wealthy merchants from Rome and Greece, lots of trade. Goes to show you, money can’t save your ass when Mother Nature decides to take it all back.”

She didn’t ask but wondered if he was referring to the troubles with the vineyard. He’d be taking on a huge task if he decided to stay with Nonno. His entire life would change fundamentally. The suggestion that he would say yes because of her, if that’s not what he would have done otherwise, set off a small alarm in her chest.

Behind them, Tino and Vanessa were in good spirits after whatever they were fighting about the night before. Tommy had on the shades, as usual, while Merelys talked to Tori, Angelo, and Steffi. Brizio had stayed back with Nonno, which was fine by Nico.

They stopped at the ancient courthouse with an enormous statute in its courtyard of a naked man. “Is that how lawyers dressed for court? I’d come listen to trials every day,” Dani joked.

“If you liked that, you’re gonna love the bordello.”

Finally, they walked through some wealthy Roman’s home. It held two of the plaster figures that were scattered around the complex, Pompeii’s unlucky inhabitants who hadn’t managed to flee by boat. Again, reading about it and seeing it in person was markedly different. She and Nico stared at the glass box holding casts of two people embracing in their last moments as the sky rained ash and smoke.

Love, no matter what came at them. Love till the bitter end. The image wavered in front of her eyes as they misted. She didn’t know why she was being so emotional. This wasn’t like her.

“I’m ready to go,” Dani said. Nico hugged her tightly.

“Okay,amore. Let’s go have lunch in Sorrento. I know a place that makes a lasagna that’ll blow your mind.”

She grinned at him, borrowing some of his cheer. “Blow my mind? Tino, is that you?”

Sorrento was much more upbeat and gorgeous. The lunch was every bit as delicious as Nico had promised, and everybody had a good time eating and talking. They strolled through the side streets, and she took several pictures of the colorful stalls with hanging red, yellow, and green peppers and the windows of old pawn shops. Of course, they had to have some gelato.

Even Lina was more pleasant that night at dinner, presenting them with a great meal she and Nonni had prepared. Pasta with spicy sausages and a hearty, seasoned marinara sauce that had been simmering all day hit the right spot as they laughed at some outrageous stories Patrick told about his Irish relatives back in the Bronx.

“If I don’t stop eating like this, my little fupa is going to be a giant one,” Dani said, patting her lower belly.

Nico leaned over and spoke in her ear. “More for me to bite,amore. I love it.”

She hid her embarrassed grin behind the rim of her water glass. After realizing he was seriously into his fitness, she’d sometimes wondered if he cared that she didn’t work out as much. During Year Zero, she’d counted every calorie and every step like a zealot in hopes that becoming slimmer would automatically attract her love.

Screw that mess. Now she danced and took walks because it felt good to move. She’d wondered if Nico might prefer a woman who’d get up at 6 a.m. to work out with him and turn down dessert. But when he said he loved her body the way it was, she believed him.

Later in bed, he showed her how much he loved that little extra belly by kissing and nibbling on it and everything below it. When she came not long after, his cock erupted scorching-hot cum inside her as deep as he could go. She arched her back and took all that lava.

That next morning, after his workout, Nico came back to the room with their breakfast on a tray so they could have it in the garden. She was already showered and dressed.

“Hey. I thought we’d have a beach day,” he said, indicating her floral blouse tied at the waist and her capri jeans and sandals.

“And I thought this would be a good day to get my paperwork started,” she said. “In Milan. After that, I want to check out the room I’ll be renting with that coworker.”

Nico seemed taken aback by that announcement. He stood for a moment, staring at her, then remembered he was carrying the tray. He set it down and sat.

“Alright, after we eat breakfast, let me get some clothes on and we’ll go.”

“I’ve already booked a flight. Steffi and Brizio are coming with on their way back to the vineyard. I thought you might want to take the day and spend it with your family. Them kids were already in here looking for you when you were downstairs. Isa wants to play bocce.” She sipped her espresso. Nico had drowned it with milk and sugared it exactly how she liked it. “This is perfect. Thank you,amore.”

He looked perturbed. “Your Italian is pretty good, but maybe not that good yet. I can get a seat on your plane. I’m sure something will still be available since it’s a weekday morning.”

“Thank you, but Steffi said she’ll help.Non ti preocupare, amore mio.” She grinned, leaning over to kiss his cheek. “Unless you’re worried I’ll elope with Brizio. How’s that for an Italian fantasy?”

His mouth lifted into a smile at one corner, but his eyes went darker. With quiet seriousness in his tone, he said, “Then I’d have to find him and kill him and make you a widow. Don’t play like that.”

“It was a bad joke. Sorry. I’ll be back before you know it, and I’ll be very single.” Dani got up and slid onto his lap, kissing him slowly with her hand caressing his face.

“Not for long,” he said cryptically. “Alright. I’ll try to survive while you’re away. Kiss me some more, sweetheart.”

He was still subdued when he kissed Steffi goodbye on both cheeks, and downright stiff when he shook Brizio’s hand with warning in his eyes. Nico pulled him close to say something Dani couldn’t hear. Brizio nodded curtly, said something in response, and that was it.

When he turned to her, Nico made certain Brizio saw him draw her close for a long, hard kiss before releasing her. He was still watching, hands in his pockets, as the hired car pulled away.

---