I found Mariano outside at his little breakfast nook by the pool.
“Hungry?” he asked, not looking up from his phone.
“Yeah, I am.” I took a seat and helped myself to a scone. He pointed to the espresso machine while he typed away on the screen. Carefully, I poured myself a cup.
“Are you feeling better from last night?”
“Yes, I think the wine went right to my head.”
“It’ll do that.” He finally set his phone on the table, but when he went to speak, it rang again, and he held up a finger, stepping away from the table.
Turning away from him, I sipped my espresso as I admired the grounds. My eyes went up to the grand house on the hill where the party was held. It was all very private. There were a few homes around, scattered in a circle pattern. I wondered who owned them all and why they chose to live there. One neat thing that Mariano had pointed out to me was if you stood on either the west or east side of the house, you could see a car coming miles away, so no surprise visitors.
I finished eating and pushed back my chair as I brushed the crumbs from my fingers then relaxed and continued to sip my espresso. I couldn’t deny it was a lovely place to be.
“A meeting came up that I can’t get out of,” Mariano reached for his keys, “so if you want to get out and look around the town, it’s not too far from here.”
That actually sounded like a great idea. I knew my head could use it.
“Sure. That sounds nice.”
“You’re so easy to get along with.” He grinned. “Oh, and dinner tonight with my parents?”
“Should I cook?”
He laughed. “No, we are eating at the Hill House. They have all the cooks we’ll need.”
“Oh.” I looked around, thinking it was a shame for such a nice kitchen not to get used.
“I’ll be back later. You have my number if something comes up.”
And just like that, he was gone, and I was alone in his house.
Wyatt: You are near a local market. See attachment.
That was just another of the reasons I loved my friend so much. He knew I would want and need to get out. I tapped on the attachment and was delighted to see the market was already open. I hurried to get ready.
“Keys.” I searched the bowl on the table in the entryway. “If I were keys, where would I be?” I opened the little drawer and spotted them. “There you are.”
I couldn’t help but notice a copy ofFab Magazineunderneath them. My stomach twisted at my face on the front. The photographer had captured the depth of all the pain I held inside, and there it was for the world to see. Not to mention it opened me up for people to come to their own conclusions about who I was. It was exhausting to think about. I noticed that one of the pages was turned down, and I quickly flipped to it. Circled in pen was the line about me moving from Sicily to Florence and that I had gotten a job at the paper. Strange. Closing my eyes and feeling a little guilty for snooping, I tucked the magazine back in its place and stepped outside.
“Good morning, miss.” I jumped about ten feet in the air. “Sorry.” The driver from the party the night before smiled at me. “I didn’t mean to startle you, but would you like me to drive you somewhere?”
“Oh,” I was pleased to see Mariano hadn’t left me completely alone, “yes, actually. I’d love to go to the market if that’s not too much trouble. I was going to drive myself, but it would be nice to go with someone who knows where things are.”
“I don’t mind at all.” He opened the door. “I never miss an opportunity to get some of Miss May’s pastries.” I happily climbed in as he chattered about the deliciousbomboloni.
“Do you live around here?” I enjoyed the small talk, and as there was only the two of us, it was easy.
“Yes, ma’am, I do.”
“Any kids?”
“No, I’ve been too busy driving to settle down and start a family.”
“Have you been working for Mariano for a long time?”
He paused for a moment then looked in the side mirror. “I don’t normally drive for Mariano, but I have been known from time to time to drive for the boss.”