Ever the chivalrous gentleman, Cristiano pulled her seat out for her.

“How was Tommo?” she asked as she sat.

“Very good,” he said. He took the seat opposite her. “He is happy to see me and glad to have me over this evening. So there is really nothing to worry about.”

Worry wasn’t really the correct way to describe what Keira was feeling. It was closer to dejection. But there was no way she was going to voice it.

Keira watched as Cristiano poured them both a glass of wine. There was a strange sensation in her chest, an uneasiness sitting upon her that was more than just the disappointment she felt about how quickly he’d arranged an alternative place to sleep. She realized that it had to do with his comment earlier about marrying in Capri. Had he been eluding to his own marriage? Was that why he’d been so quick to turn down the shared room with her, because he had a secret wife somewhere he had failed to—or chosen not to—mention?

It occurred to Keira then, as she sipped her wine and let the alcohol give her a boost of confidence, that she’d rather know the truth than spend the whole time brooding on what-ifs.

“So you never told me whose wedding it was you attended here,” she said, fixing her gaze on Cristiano’s.

She noted his amused expression, the way his lips only slightly raised on one side in recognition of her question.

“I did not think you would like the answer,” he replied.

Keira felt her heart sink as the possibility of him confirming her fears grew more likely. She chewed her lip, half wanting to just drop it and not know, but realizing at the same time she had to know. If her Romeo already had a Juliet, then this flirtatious game they were playing would have to stop immediately. There was no way Keira would contribute to someone else experiencing the same pain she’d felt when she found out Zach cheated on her. Just the thought that she may have been flirting with a married man made her feel ashamed. And she certainly didn’t want there to be a Mrs. Cristiano who would think the same vitriolic thoughts about her that she saved for Julia!

She played with the tablecloth, her eyes cast down.

“It wasn’t your own wedding, was it, Cristiano?” she asked in a quiet voice.

There was a moment of hesitation. Keira looked up in time to see Cristiano avert his eyes. His silence spoke volumes, and Keira felt a pit open in her stomach. Panic took hold of her.

At last, Cristiano nodded, his expression very drawn. With a sad, monotone voice, he added, “I have angered you, have I not, Keira?”

Anger wasn’t the first emotion taking hold of her. It was a sense of betrayal that ricocheted through her body, causing an unpleasant visceral sensation. It didn’t matter to Keira that nothing had actually happened between them; Cristiano’s admission to having a wife hurt Keira deeply. Not just for herself, but for his jilted wife as well.