Someone cleared their throat rather loudly.
“That would be our fault,” the familiar female voice said.
Both Gia and Ric focused on the doorway where Bianca and Enzo now stood.
“Hey, guys.” Gia smiled. In fact, she couldn’t stop smiling.
Bianca smiled back. “I guess we don’t have to ask how this is going to work out.”
“We came to our senses,” Gia said.
“Yes, we did,” Ric chimed in with one arm holding Gin while his other arm was around Gia’s waist.
The only one not smiling was Enzo. “I suppose this means you’ll be going back to Lapri with Ric.”
Gia turned a questioning gaze to Ric. “We hadn’t talked about it yet, but there is this beautiful seaside villa that I’d love to finish fixing up.” And then a worrisome thought came to her. She met Ric’s gaze. “That is, unless you sold it.”
He shook his head. “I saw the way you looked at it. I knew it right away, even if I wasn’t ready to accept the fact that it would one day be our home.”
Gin barked in agreement.
She turned back to Enzo. “Looks like you’ve won the estate.”
Her brother didn’t smile.
“Yeah,” Bianca chimed in. “You won’t have us butting into the business. You can change things to the way you want them.”
“But if you want to keep them the same,” Gia said, “both Michael and Rosa can take over the hotel aspect.”
“And Sylvie is marvelous at planning weddings,” Bianca added.
“It just won’t be the same,” Enzo said.
Who’d have thought their strong, unemotional brother would have a hard time with them both leaving? Gia felt guilty for being so excited about this new direction in her life.
“I’m sorry,” Gia said.
“I am too,” Bianca said. “We don’t mean to leave you all alone here. But we’ll be back to visit. Won’t we?” Bianca’s gaze moved to Gia.
“Yes, we will. In fact, we’ll be here so much that you’ll get sick of us.”
Enzo shook his head. “Don’t worry about me. I’ll be fine. I just want you two to be happy. It’s what our parents would have wanted.”
“We want the same thing for you.” Gia handed Ric the puppy.
She walked up to Enzo and hugged him. Bianca joined them. At last the tension was gone and they were back to being themselves.
When they pulled back, Gia returned to Ric’s side and took the squirming puppy from him. She turned back to her brother. “What are you going to do with the villa now that it’s all yours?”
“I don’t know. I’ll give it some thought when I fly to Paris. I’m attending a wine competition.”
“That sounds exciting.” Gia smiled, hoping her brother would do the same.
He did, but it didn’t quite reach his eyes.
Enzo was about to head off on his own journey, and she wished him the very best. She knew change came with its own sets of bumps and unexpected turns. She was sure when it was all over, he would be happy to be the sole owner of the estate. Their father would be proud to have Enzo in charge. Somehow, she had the feeling things were going to work out just the way they were supposed to.
She returned to Ric’s side. Oh, yes, they were definitely working out just right.