She gave a long sigh. “I can’t believe the tour is over. I’m looking forward to Tuscany, but this means we only have a week left. I don’t want to go home.” She shook her head and waved her hand in the air. “Oh, I’m sure you’re dying to go back. Dig into your ad campaigns and return to your routine. But me? This was the highlight of my year. Or years, if I’m lucky.”

Normally, I’d agree. I avoided travel because it was easier to keep all the balls in the air if I didn’t stray, but when I thought of returning home, no excitement or anticipation reared up. I shook off the strange thought. “Mom, you have a good twenty years left in that body of yours,” I teased. “I can’t believe you kept up so well.”

I caught a glint of grief in her dark eyes, but it passed so quickly I figured I’d imagined it. “We have no control over when God takes us,” she recited.

“Speaking of which, did you know Ian’s going to be a priest?”

Her guilty expression gave her away. “Well, yes. I was hoping Allegra would tell you herself.”

“She did today, in the cathedral. I kind of freaked out.”

“I think it’s nice. The church is desperate for priests, and Ian seems very down-to-earth. He still has a long road ahead of him, but he’s been wanting this since he was young.”

I cut her a look. “She’s still telling you all her secrets, huh?” I asked. But this time, my remark had no sting.

Mom patted my hand and smiled. “And she’ll do the same with you. You just need to rebuild some trust. That’s why spending real quality time together is important.”

“Did you know she wants Ian to visit us too?” I laughed when I saw her look guilty. “Busted. Well, I told her he could—just for a few days. Do you mind?”

“No. They like each other. At least she’s learned how a nice boy treats her. When she gets back home, maybe she won’t take any guff from the weed smoker.”

“I like your feistiness, Mom,” I said with a chuckle. Should I tell her about Enzo? Everyone was involved in their own conversations or dancing, and it was the perfect time. I cleared my throat. “Actually, I was thinking since Ian was coming, maybe we can have another visitor.”

“Oh really? Who?”

“Enzo.” My voice squeaked a bit. “Funny thing, he actually lives in Lucca, which is close to our villa. We were chatting, and I mentioned where we rented, and he said he could stop by and show us around a bit. Doesn’t that sound fun?”