Page 8 of That Time in Venice
Chapter3
Anika peeredthrough the blinds of her second floor window as Reed took confident, long-legged strides to a navy blue Tahoe in the parking lot. The rain had stopped, but dark clouds remained in the sky, promising more showers later intheday.
He climbed his fit body into the vehicle and drove away, and her gaze followed the entire time until he turned onto the main road. Only then could she breatheeasier.
“Knock, knock.” Jasmine stood in the doorway holding a rectangular box. “This came for you. I figured you’d want itrightaway.”
“Is that the new vase for theWinthrops?”
“Ibelieveso.”
“Thank goodness.” The Winthrops were a wealthy and needy client. She’d been working with them for months, and as with all events associated with Murphy’s Law, the neediest client encountered the most problems during aredesign.
Jasmine set the box on the desk and Anika cut it open. She removed the stuffing and held the multi-colored Chinese vase up to the light, twisting and turning to see it from all angles. The last vase had arrived with two chips, one at the lip and the other at the base. This one was in pristinecondition.
“Perfect.” She could finally consider the redesigncomplete.
“You want me to have one of the interns run the vase over to theWinthrops?”
“No, I’ll do it.” They’d had so many problems, she wanted to personally deliver this last item and make sure the family was happy. “But do me a favor and call Mrs. Winthrop, and let her know I’m on my way. I’m going overtherenow.”
Anika stuffed the packing material and vase back into the box and grabbed her coat andpurse.
“Sooo, are you going to keep me in suspense? What do youthink?”
“About what?” Anikaasked.
Jasmine fisted a hand on her hip. “Don’t be coy. What do you think of our newclient?”
Anika slipped her arms through the sleeves of her coat. “Actually, Iknowhim.”
“Oh really? How do youknowhim?”
“We went to Georgia State together.” Anika flung her purse over her shoulder and picked up the box, hugging it to hertorso.
“So he’s an old collegefriend?”
“Not a friend, really. More of an acquaintance. Our work-study assignment was in the dining hall. We haven’t seen each other in years, though.” She’d never told anyone the whole story about her trip to Venice. Even her cousin Ronnie only knew bits and pieces and not all thedetails.
“What a coincidence,”Jasminesaid.
“Mhmm. See you later.” She hurried out to avoid discussing Reed any further. She worried Jasmine would pick up on herdiscomfort.
Downstairs, Anika picked up her umbrella at the door and walked tothecar.
There are no coincidences. That’s what her mother always said, a firm believer in “everything happens for a reason.” No matter how delicate or painful or damaging a circumstance, her mother found a way to spin it positively, and she’d influenced Anika’s viewpoints over theyears.
Seven years ago, Anika ran into Reed thousands of miles away from their campus. Seeing a familiar face—even if it belonged to Reed Stewart—had brightened what could have been a mediocre vacation all byherself.
* * *
Venice
She was actually inVenice!
Anika couldn’t stop smiling as she leaned on the railing of the water taxi, cruising down the Grand Canal. All of her senses worked overtime. A temperate breeze wafted through her hair and across her skin, cooling her body beneath the sun’s warm rays. Taking a deep breath, she inhaled the fresh air mingled with the scent of briny, teal-colored water and let her gaze encompass all the boats gliding in the water around them. Lifting her camera, she snapped a photo of the seascape spread out before her. Then took additional pictures of the buildings on either side of the canal, a colorful display that showcased the city’s Byzantine and Islamic architecturalinfluences.
They stopped at the water landing of Hotel Bonvecchiati, a renovated palazzo built in 1790. The hotel was located in the heart of Venice and a three-minute walk to the Piazza San Marco and the Basilica of San Marco, popular tourist stops in the citycenter.
