‘But you said you come twice a week, most weeks.’
‘And I do. On my own.’
She swallowed. Men like Rollo didn’t dine alone.
‘I don’t understand.’
He shrugged. His face looked shuttered, remote.
‘It’s like a home to me. I’ve been coming here ever since I was thirteen. The owner, Joe, his father, Vinnie, gave me my first job.’
He smiled—only it was a smile that made something inside her shift and crack open.
‘What did you do?’ she said hoarsely.
‘I washed dishes at first. Then I was a waiter. Just a waiter,’ he amended, his eyes meeting hers. ‘They wouldn’t trust me in the kitchen.’
She nodded. ‘Very wise.’ She tried a smile of her own. ‘I’ve seen you incinerating toast. I definitely wouldn’t trust you with veal.’
He smiled again, but this time it touched his eyes and she felt a rush of happiness and surprise—for when had she started wanting to make him happy?
‘Would you like that cannoli?’ He was back in control, his hand half-raised towards the waiter.
Groaning, she shook her head. ‘Yes. But I can’t. I would love a coffee though.’
The coffee arrived, together with a small dark green box.
Daisy made a face. ‘Are those chocolates?’
He nodded. ‘But they’re very small. Go on.’ Smiling a little, he pushed the box towards her. ‘Have one, otherwise I’ll never hear the end of it.’
Sighing, she picked it up and pulled off the lid. ‘They’d better be small,’ she grumbled, ‘otherwise you’ll never...’
Her voice trailed off.
It wasn’t chocolates. Instead, nestling on top of pale green paper was a beautiful diamond-and-emerald ring.
She stared at it—stunned, mesmerised.
‘I hope you don’t mind. I asked Joe to help out.’
He gestured to where a large dark-haired man stood beaming.
She looked up, groping for the right words—any words, in fact. But her mind seemed to have stopped functioning.
‘Yes—I mean, no... I don’t mind,’ she managed finally. ‘Oh, Rollo, it’s beautiful. I love it.’
‘Here. Let me.’
She watched him slip the ring onto her finger, his hands warm and solid against hers.
‘So, will you marry me?’
His voice was soft. For a split second she forgot it wasn’t real. Forgot it was all just part of their performance. Then slowly, she nodded. ‘Yes, I will.’ She hesitated. ‘But why here? Why now?’
He shrugged. ‘Why wait? I want everyone to know that you’re going to be my wife.’
He hadn’t planned on giving her the ring until later. But last night everything had changed. Finally she’d been honest with him, admitting her desire in the most blatant of terms. Saying that she wanted sex, that she wanted him.