That Steve had never before been to Italy in general and Capri in particular seemed to Carter something that Alison should have already known.

“So, did you two plan this trip together for a long time?” asked Carter, no longer able to contain his curiosity.

“Oh, not at all,” said Alison with a little laugh. Then she turned and gazed fondly at Steve before adding, “We only just met at the airport a couple of days ago.”

“We saw each other for the first time at the baggage carousel after we landed,” recounted Steve. “All it took was one look, and that was it. What is it they say over here? I got hit by the earthquake, or something?”

“I think they call it the thunderbolt,” offered Carter.

“Whatever they call it, it hit me hard,” chuckled Steve.Then he brought Alison’s hand to his lips and kissed it.

“It hit both of us hard,” Alison said dreamily, slipping her arm around Steve’s. “I’ve always heard that Italy has a way of doing that to people. It just makes them fall in love when they come here. It’s like magic.”

“I think she’s right,” laughed Steve. “So you better watch out, Carter. If you stay here long enough, you’re bound to get hit by a thunderbolt, too.”

“Maybe,” said Carter, grinning, his thoughts drifting far away to Abruzzo, “but for now I’m planning to just stay out of the rain for a while.”

After dinner, Carter did not walk with Alison and Steve back to their hotel. He did not need to be told that they were anxious to be alone with each other once more, despite their invitations to have a quick drink someplace before they parted company with him. Saying, quite truthfully, that he was still tired from jet lag, he politely declined. And so, after exchanging e-mail addresses and vows to get in touch one day back in the States, Carter had bidden them a pleasant journey to Capri and gone on his way.

Now, walking along the darkened streets, Carter thought back over the evening he had just spent with his new friends. He was grateful for having had their company at dinner, but finding himself suddenly on his own again only worsened his sense of loneliness. Though he had some vague misgivings about how long their relationship might survive, he envied Alison and Steve for the way in which they had found each other, and for their unabashed bliss. It would not have surprised him if the two were already back in their hotel room, wrapped around one another. He could not help wondering what it would be like to finally have Elena resting in his own arms. The thought gave him an ache, for as far as he had come, she still remained to him a distant vision.