Cristiano didn’t even pretend to play it cool. She could hear from his voice that her admission had lifted his spirits.

“Really?” he gasped, sounding thrilled and excited.

“Definitely!” she cried.

“Are you at the airport now?” he asked.

Keira knew that he knew she was. He had their itinerary memorized, after all. That’s how he’d found her at the Bridge of Gold.

“You know I am.” She checked her watch. “And my flight’s been delayed. It’s not for another hour.”

“You want me to come now?” he said, sounding both surprised and exhilarated in equal parts.

“Why not?” Keira exclaimed. “It’s perfect timing. Your family welcomed me with open arms on All Souls’ Day. Now it’s my turn to do the same with you and Thanksgiving.”

“Turkey,” Cristiano replied. “That’s all I know of Thanksgiving.”

Keira laughed. “It’s a good start! So, what do you say?”

She listened with anticipation to the brief moment of hesitation on the other end of the line. Then Cristiano spoke the words she’d been desperate to hear.

“Of course. Anything for you, my Keira.”

She ended the call and clutched her cell phone to her chest, relieved, empowered.

In her mind, she imagined Cristiano on his scooter, racing through the Italian countryside, up and down the mountains, swerving around the steep bends on the roads. With every moment that passed she became more and more excited to see him.

Her flight gate was announced, but Keira stayed put. There was no way she was getting on that flight without Cristiano.

She was so resolved, so committed, that when ten minutes passed, and another without Cristiano appearing, until finally the gate closed for her flight, still she did not move. Missing this flight was a sacrifice she was willing to make, even if another one did not come for days.

“Keira!”

She heard his voice calling to her. Not across a piazza this time, nor from the other end of the Bridge of Gold, but from an airport lounge where the next step of their journey was about to begin.

Her heart leapt into her throat and she spun on the spot. Before, she’d made Cristiano do the chasing. Not this time. This time she raced across the length of the airport. When she reached him, she threw herself into his arms.

Cristiano lifted her clean off her feet and spun her around. As the world whirled past, Keira could see people watching. But for the first time she didn’t care about the scene he was making. She wanted the whole world to see their love.

Finally, Cristiano set her down on her feet and pressed a passionate kiss against her lips. Keira felt so at peace in his arms, like she was exactly where she was supposed to be.

Finally, she drew back and gazed up into his dark eyes.

“My Keira,” he said.

“My Cristiano,” she replied.

She moved back, at last, and took in the sight of him. He had just a small leather satchel with him. No coat, scarf, or sweater.