Page 37 of A Very Italian Wedding
‘I remember from the picture, and Aurora saw him in the garden yesterday. I think I saw him too, but he wasn’t at the party last night,’ she said.
Ben nodded. Usually, Cesare loved spending time with his family and was often the life and soul, but Marco had told Ben that he was lamenting the problems in his marriage and didn’t want to spoil the evening. Also, he’d got absorbed by a particularly difficult crossword, which he’d been keen to solve.‘I believe he didn’t want to cause a problem at the engagement party,’ Ben said.
Rose’s forehead pinched. ‘Cesare and Isabella are still married, but they live in different houses?’ She turned to gaze at the buildings again, and Ben could almost hear the click of her brain, knew exactly what she was going to ask next.
‘They’ve recently separated,’ he said, guessing it was best to tell her what he knew. The Marinos didn’t want outsiders to know about the fallout, but Leonardo had said Rose was a part of the family now. Also, after Isabella’s outburst last night, it was hardly going to be a surprise. ‘I’ll tell you the full story in the car—’ he promised. ‘If we leave now, we’ll be able to stop for coffee and pastries on the drive. I know this place?—’
Rose frowned and cocked her head. ‘Are you sure this isn’t just a way of keeping me from Luna?’
‘I’m sure.’ Ben pursed his lips. ‘Marco figures he can handle whatever you throw at him. He loves Luna and he’s got no intention of letting you talk her out of marrying him.’
He didn’t add that his friend wouldn’t be averse to doing anything to protect his impending nuptials. The fact that he’d asked Ben to seduce Rose had proven that. But some things she didn’t need to know.
‘So, why’s this so important?’ Rose asked. ‘Why has it all suddenly happened now?’
‘The family were spooked by Aurora’s reading,’ he told her. ‘Nonnacan be difficult. Especially at the moment. Everyone wants the wedding to go well. They don’t want anyone kicking off, refusing to go or getting upset. If we get the statue andNonnagives it to Marco and Luna, she might stop telling them they’re making a mistake. It’s as simple as that. It’s all about keeping the peace, making sure everything runs smoothly.’
‘A statue isn’t going to help someone get pregnant,’ Rose said seriously. ‘Even if they wanted to, which they might not.’
Ben held up his palms. ‘I know that. But this isn’t about me, or you. It’s about helping Marco – andLuna,’ he drew out her name. ‘It’s about what they want. Which is to get married with everyone’s blessing.’
‘Not with mine.’ Rose sucked in a breath and her eyes flashed as she turned to him. ‘But fine. Why don’t you go and get the car ready while I get dressed and—’ Her eyes narrowed. ‘Make sure you pack your phone charger. I need to let Luna know where I’m going. We were supposed to be speaking about the wedding this morning, I’ll have to cancel I suppose.’ Her lips thinned. ‘But I’ll be rearranging our chat for later today.’
Ben nodded. He had a feeling whatever Marco threw at Rose, she’d eventually have that conversation, present her rules and try to talk them both out of getting married so quickly. He only hoped Marco’s fiancée wouldn’t back out, but he’d done all he could do for now.
‘Maybe pack that new bikini and a towel,’ he suggested as Rose opened the door and stood back. ‘We’ll pass some beautiful coastline on the journey. It’s going to be hot and there are some pretty restaurants on the beach where we could stop for lunch.’
‘Breakfast and lunch?’ Rose huffed. ‘This isn’t a date.’
‘We need to eat,’ Ben shot back, feeling a flutter of temper. ‘If it makes you feel any better, we can sit at separate tables,’ he said, trying to reinstate his teasing tone.
He shouldn’t be irritated by Rose’s lack of trust; he had to keep things light. This wasn’t personal and he had no intention of letting it become so.
‘And I’m going to swim even if you don’t – you’re welcome to ogle me while I do.’ With that, he walked through the door and shut it without waiting for Rose’s response.
13
BEN
‘I need to be back by four o’clock,’ Rose said to Ben after sending and receiving a flurry of texts as he careered down the motorway heading for the village of Montotta, where the seller of the statue was located. ‘So I can meet with Marco and Luna before we make the wedding favours. Luna says it’s the only free time she’s got before the wedding,’ she grumbled. ‘We’re cutting it fine.’
‘We can make that and there’ll still be plenty of time for lunch and a swim,’ Ben promised.
Rose sucked in a breath as a car squealed past and Ben had to stop himself from reassuring her. He saw a café on their right and quickly indicated so they could stop.
‘I’m just going to pick us up some coffee and breakfast,’ he said. ‘Black for you I know, do you want something to eat?’
Rose pulled a face. ‘I’ll have whatever you’re having,’ she said eventually. ‘That way if I don’t eat it, you can finish mine.’
Ten minutes later, Ben returned with a bag and coffees for both of them. ‘I had to beg the waitress for these. Italians donotbelieve in takeaways,’ he complained. He hopped in the car and handed the coffee and bag to Rose before getting back onto the road again. They remained silent for a few minutes while shesipped her drink and he did the same. When the caffeine hit his brain, he began to wake up.
‘You promised me a story,’ Rose said abruptly, after a few more moments of silence.
‘Sorry?’
‘About Isabella and Cesare. You mentioned there’d been a fight?’ Rose said, fiddling with the bag on her lap.
‘Could you pass me something to eat first please?’ Ben said. The café owner where he’d stopped would probably shoot him if he knew he was eating one of his famouscornettiwhile driving. Food was something to be savoured in Italy, but if they were going to have time to pick up the statue and make it back with a detour to the beach, they didn’t have time for a leisurely breakfast.
