Page 61 of Ciao, Amore

There was more sniffling, then a silence, one that took a slice out of his soul with every second that passed.

Finally, her voice shaky, she said, “I’m in Positano.”

20

THE SWEETNESS OF LIFE

DANI

“Daniela.”

She was sitting at an outdoor table at the hotel bar overlooking the beach when Nico arrived. The white-walled, red-roofed boutique hotel was on a terrace in Lower Positano, only a few terraces up from the beach.

Even though it was the shoulder season, she would have had trouble getting an affordable room in this spot if it weren’t for a quick call to Jade to find it and make the booking for her. When Jade asked why she was getting a room there, by herself, she blithely played it off like nothing was wrong, and she was there to get a different taste of the Amalfi Coast. No big deal. Everything was great.

As gorgeous as it was, with its captivating view of the shimmering water, it was nothing compared to seeing Nico’s worried face smoothing out with relief when he laid eyes on her. Nothing compared to how her throat squeezed with restrained emotion to see him. After the revelation that the ruse was over and her presence wasn’t necessary anymore, she believed there was a strong chance she wouldn’t see him again.

He'd proven her wrong. His coming here to be with her, the way he pulled her out of her seat to enfold her in an embrace that went on and on, proved to her that Nico was in this with her.

Rubbing her back with a slow hand, he finally allowed an inch or two of space between them, planting a soft kiss on her mouth. They were alone on the patio, but the way he was looking at her, focused solely on her, it wouldn’t have mattered if they were surrounded by hundreds of people.

“Hey. We were supposed to visit this town together at some point during this trip. What’s the matter with you, coming without me?” Nico’s smile was teasing, but his eyes still held traces of worry. “And you came without any of your stuff. You must’ve really wanted to get away.” He hesitated, then asked, “From them? Or from me?”

She didn’t want to deliver yet another lie and say he was wrong. Yes, she’d left because of the embarrassment of the revelations, but being honest, she had run from him, from the enormity of these unexpected feelings for a man she’d met a little over a month ago.

When she didn’t respond, he sighed. “I talked to Tino and everyone else. I always knew my family was a little codependent, but this was crazy. I can give you a rundown on what I was told, but we can save that for later.”

“Yes, please, later. Not now, not while we’re here.” Dani turned her head to look at the placid water, couples strolling arm in arm, and the pretty houses perched on the fantastically steep cliffs. “At my old office, I had a poster of this view on the wall across from my desk. Jade would snap her fingers in my face to get me to stop daydreaming about it. Maybe this is going to sound corny…”

At her pause, Nico kissed the side of her face with soft, warm lips, leaving her weak. “Corny is my jam. Go on.”

“I want this place to be as magical as it was in my daydreams. No more talk about your family or what’s going to happen when we leave here. Let’s justbe. For a few days longer.”

Nico’s arms tightened around her body, the way he’d tightened his hold on her heart. “I’m all yours,amore. If you’ll be mine.”

She trembled at the pounding of his heart against hers, vibrating her, battering her defenses. Another crack in the armor appeared.

Dani whispered, “Yes. Yes, I am.”

* * *

Magic.

That’s what Dani asked for, and over the next few days, that’s what Nico delivered.

It started simple, with him saying, “We need stuff.”

They bought backpacks from a travel-gear shop and filled them with everything they would need—new swimsuits, a few simple changes of clothes, and toiletries. Hair care products for her, of course. She’d have to make do with gel, mousse, and a basic shampoo and conditioner.

“I’mma do your hair, girl,” he quipped as they left the market, making her laugh.

She gave him the side-eye. “Whatchu know about Black hair?”

“I am a trained professional in all hair types. I can do anybody that walks into my shop. Take a chance on me, baby, and I’ll hook you up.”

“Hook me up? Okay, Jack Harlowe. I’ve been forgetting you’re the jack-of-all-trades. Firefighting, barbering, plant science-ing. CEOing. I’m sure your one-day certificate from EZ Kutz prepared you for many things, but it’s gonna be a no.”

Although she had to refuse him again when he jokingly offered to help her do her hair for dinner that night, he couldn’t seem to keep his hands out of her fluffy curls. After their fresh seafood meal, when they danced at a sensuous small club on the Spiaggia Grande, his face was pressed in it. The steady inhale and exhale of his breath near her ear as he filled himself with her scent made her shiver.