‘I have nothing but the utmost respect for medical professionals,’ he said slowly, unfurling the fists his hands had balled into, unsure why he was confiding such personal matters with her. ‘When I look at you, Dr Chapman, I see a woman filled with compassion, decency, and integrity. The world I inhabit is driven by money, power, and greed.’
‘You have integrity,’ she contradicted. ‘A whole heap of it.’
‘On that we will have to disagree.’ He nodded towards the waiter heading cautiously towards them. ‘It looks as if our main courses are ready. I suggest we move on from this discussion or both our meals will be spoiled.’
She flashed him a smile of such gratitude his entire chest compressed tightly enough that for a moment he feared his lungs would cease to work.
CHAPTER SEVEN
THANKFULLY, FRANCESCO KEPT the conversation over the rest of their meal light, with mostly impersonal questions about medical school and her job. His interest—and it certainly seemed genuine—was flattering. In turn, he opened up about his love of motorbikes. It didn’t surprise her to learn he owned a dozen of them.
When their plates were cleared and Hannah had eaten a dark-chocolate lava cake, which was without doubt the most delicious pudding she’d ever eaten—except hot chocolate-fudge cake, of course—Francesco looked at his watch. ‘I need to check in with my head of security before the poker tournament starts. Do you want to come with me or would you like me to get one of my staff to give you a tour of the tables?’
‘Are you entering the tournament?’
‘No. This one is solely for members. It’s the biggest tournament that’s held here, though, and the members like to see me—it makes them feel important,’ he added, and she noticed a slight flicker of amusement in his eyes, which made her feel as if she’d been let into a private joke. It was an insight that both surprised and warmed her.
‘You don’t have much time for them?’
‘I always make time for them.’
‘That’s not what I meant.’
‘I know what you meant.’ His lips, usually set in a fixed line, broke into something that almost resembled a lazy smile. He drained his glass of wine, his eyes holding firm with hers. ‘Do you know the rules of poker?’
‘Funnily enough, I do. It’s often on late at night when I’m too brain-dead to study any longer and need to wind down before bed.’
‘You’re still studying?’
‘Yes. Plus there are always new research papers being published and clinical studies to read through and mug up on.’
‘Doesn’t sound as if you leave yourself any time for having fun,’ he remarked astutely.
‘It’s fun to me. But you’re right—it’s why I’m here after all.’
‘When you said you’d spent your whole adult life dedicating yourself to medicine, I didn’t think you meant it in a literal sense.’
She shrugged and pulled a face. ‘It’s what I needed.’
‘But that’s changed?’
‘Not in any fundamental way. Medicine and my patients will always be my first priority, but my accident... It made me open my eyes...’ Her voice trailed away, unexpected tears burning the back of her eyes. It had been so long since she’d spoken properly about Beth.
Hannah carried her sister with her every minute of every day, yet it had felt in recent weeks as if she were right there with her, as if she could turn her head and find Beth peering over her shoulder.
Blinking back the tears, she spoke quietly. ‘I don’t know if heaven exists, but if it does, I don’t want Beth to be angry with me. She loved life. We both did. I’d forgotten just how much.’
She almost jumped out of her seat when Francesco placed a warm hand on hers, so large it covered it entirely. A sense of calm trickled through her veins, while conversely her skin began to dance.
‘Would you like to enter the poker tournament?’
‘Oh, no, I couldn’t.’
‘Think of the experience. Think of the story you’ll have to tell Beth.’
With a stab, she realised how carefully he’d been listening. Francesco understood.
The sense of calm increased, settling into her belly. ‘Well...how much does it cost?’
‘For you, nothing. For everyone else, it’s one hundred thousand euros.’