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Chapters (66)
  1. Cover
  2. Title Page
  3. Dedication
  4. Chapter One
  5. Chapter Two
  6. Chapter Three
  7. Chapter Four
  8. Chapter Five
  9. Chapter Six
  10. Chapter Seven
  11. Chapter Eight
  12. Chapter Nine
  13. Chapter Ten
  14. Chapter Eleven
  15. Chapter Twelve
  16. Chapter Thirteen
  17. Chapter Fourteen
  18. Chapter Fifteen
  19. Chapter Sixteen
  20. Chapter Seventeen
  21. Chapter Eighteen
  22. Chapter Nineteen
  23. Chapter Twenty
  24. Chapter Twenty-One
  25. Chapter Twenty-Two
  26. Chapter Twenty-Three
  27. Chapter Twenty-Four
  28. Chapter Twenty-Five
  29. Chapter Twenty-Six
  30. Chapter Twenty-Seven
  31. Chapter Twenty-Eight
  32. Chapter Twenty-Nine
  33. Chapter Thirty
  34. Chapter Thirty-One
  35. Chapter Thirty-Two
  36. Chapter Thirty-Three
  37. Chapter Thirty-Four
  38. Chapter Thirty-Five
  39. Chapter Thirty-Six
  40. Chapter Thirty-Seven
  41. Chapter Thirty-Eight
  42. Chapter Thirty-Nine
  43. Chapter Forty
  44. Chapter Forty-One
  45. Chapter Forty-Two
  46. Chapter Forty-Three
  47. Chapter Forty-Four
  48. Chapter Forty-Five
  49. Chapter Forty-Six
  50. Chapter Forty-Seven
  51. Chapter Forty-Eight
  52. Chapter Forty-Nine
  53. Chapter Fifty
  54. Chapter Fifty-One
  55. Chapter Fifty-Two
  56. Chapter Fifty-Three
  57. Chapter Fifty-Four
  58. Chapter Fifty-Five
  59. Chapter Fifty-Six
  60. Chapter Fifty-Seven
  61. Chapter Fifty-Eight
  62. Chapter Fifty-Nine
  63. Chapter Sixty
  64. Chapter Sixty-One
  65. Chapter Sixty-Two
  66. Acknowledgments

“I’ve been so busy, and there are a lot of places in Italy I would like to see. I’ve been researching it. I want to go to Rome, Venice, and Florence, to the small villages around Tuscany and the vineyards of Umbria. I just don’t want to be gone from the restaurants for two or three weeks.”

“The world won’t stop if Griffin Hardwick takes a holiday, you know.”

“I know. Changing subjects, though, are you really okay, Bae? You seem to be working too much. Maybe you and Elliott should hire some extra help.”

“I’m fine. And I have been working several jobs. But this one is ending.” I motioned to Griffin’s condo.

“Would you tell me if something was wrong? You’re too thin.”

I just looked at him. “Perfect for New York. I don’t need rescuing, Griffin, I promise. I can take care of myself.” Then I added, “Please don’t worry, Griffin. You’re out of the caretaking business, remember?”

“People who say they don’t need rescuing are usually the ones who do. That is chapter seven, page twenty-eight of the caretakers’ handbook.” Griffin backed off. “You win, Bae. Oh, I love the distressed color in the kitchen and my bathroom. But Henry’s right. There are a lot of pillows.” I wondered if in a parallel universe there were another Bailey and Griffin christening every room in this condo and complaining about the number of pillows on the bed.

Chapter Twenty-Two

Chapter Twenty-Two

During the night, I got up to get a glass of water. I found Griffin as I left him, staring into the fire and then staring at the Christmas tree. It made my heart swell. I went up behind him and whispered in his ear, “You know, Santa won’t visit little boys until they are tucked safely into their beds.”

“This is the first time in my life I’ve had a real Christmas tree. Thank you for doing this for me, Bae.” His hand grabbed mine. Words tiptoed away much like the elves themselves. We lingered, enjoying his tree. Finally, he got up and moved to the threshold of his bedroom. His eyes landed on the painting. He smiled again.

“I’ve changed my mind. The pictures of Portofino are my favorite. You’re right. They do really balance each other out. They look good together. I guess we do need to get to bed. The wake-up call for Hank will be mighty early.” He disappeared into his bedroom.

I found myself taking a leisurely stroll around the condo I created. My thoughts, however, lingered on those paintings. No one would ever know they had been separated.