‘Then I think you’d better check this morning’s social pages.’ Her teasing had vanished, replaced by a sombre tone that sent a chill racing down his backbone.
‘Carla—’
‘I mean it, Renzo. You need to see it for yourself.’
Minutes later Renzo was trawling through the sort of gossipy reports he usually ignored. Until he found a photo that made his eyes widen, then another. And beside it a report that had him swearing comprehensively through gritted teeth.
This was one hell of a way to start the day!
* * *
Sorry I have to cancel dinner tonight. Gone out of town on family business but back tomorrow. Can we reschedule?
As a lover-like text it left a lot to be desired, Sonia decided as she stared at the message on her phone. But then she’d missed two calls from Renzo while she was with a client. Clearly he’d tried to talk to her and resorted to leaving the message.
It was pathetic to wish he’d added something more intimate than ciao at the end. What did she expect? Hugs and kisses? Renzo might be a demonstrative lover in the flesh but she couldn’t expect soppy romanticism. It wasn’t part of their deal.
Firming her lips, and ignoring the little judder of disappointment she felt in the region of her heart, Sonia put the phone away. It would be nice to have a night alone for a change. A night to do whatever pleased her.
Except what pleased her most was being with Renzo.
The knowledge swamped her like an ocean wave, crashing through all her pretences.
It was only last night, or more precisely very early this morning, that she realised she’d fallen in love with him. That took some getting used to.
The shock of it, the mingled excitement and terror, still tingled through her blood and drew her skin tight.
How naïve she’d been before, when she’d dated Eric. She’d thought that was love. Now she realised her mistake. She’d been looking for romance and it had been the idea of Eric, rather than the man himself, that she’d fallen for.
Now in Rome, telling herself she was avoiding romantic dreams by having a no-holds-barred affair without any strings attached, Sonia suddenly found herself in deeper than she’d thought possible.
So deep she didn’t have a clue how to get out.
Deliberately she’d left the apartment early this morning, needing time to put her game face on before seeing Renzo, sure that her feelings glowed so strong he must recognise them in an instant.
Now she wouldn’t have to try pretending, at least for another day. A pity that instead of relief she felt bereft.
The enormity of what she’d done, falling for Renzo, slammed into her, making her rock back on her heels. But she refused to give in to fear. She’d get through this...somehow.
For a moment she let herself imagine what it would be like to discover Renzo loved her. That he cared about her, not just for a short-term fling.
A second later Sonia tossed her phone back into her bag and turned around, setting her shoulders. Dreams like that did more harm than good. She refused to live in daydreams. This was real life and she knew already that dreams rarely came true.
She’d already had one come true, the opportunity to work at the House of Conti. It would be ridiculous to expect more.
Sonia lifted her chin and strode towards the work room, almost colliding with Marietta on her way back in from lunch.
‘Sorry.’
‘No, no, it was my fault.’ The other woman smiled. ‘I was too busy reading this.’ She waved her phone. ‘Her dress caught my eye but then I saw him. Why don’t I meet men like that? Handsome and rich too.’ Marietta grinned as she held the phone out.
Sonia opened her mouth to say something suitably flippant, but then something strange happened. Her vocal chords refused to work. She felt her throat constrict and her mouth gape and all she could do was stare down at the photo.
‘Told you he was something special, didn’t I?’ Marietta purred, enlarging the picture.
As she did, any frail hope died that Sonia’s eyes deceived her. For it was Renzo Veracini in the photo, arm wrapped around the waist of a petite brunette in deep plum that matched the glossy colour on her pouting lips.
No wonder the dress had caught Marietta’s professional eye. It was cut to make the most of the woman’s hourglass figure and it succeeded. There was no mistaking those bountiful breasts and that tiny waist. Add to that the exquisite perfection of her features and she was simply stunning.