Buzzing with female anticipation, I gave him a teasing look. “Then I’ll give you a rain check for later.”

We finished up our meal and spent some time exchanging contact information with the chef. I explained my desire to go to cooking school, and he wrote down his email and told me he’d help with a recommendation if I needed it. My head spun with excitement and we walked out hand in hand.

“I can’t believe he said that. Enzo was so nice to do this for us.”

“Yeah, he’s perfect for your mom. It’s too bad he lives in Italy. Do you think they’ll try and continue dating?”

I shrugged. “Not sure. Hope so. I’m not sure how she’s going to handle it.” I thought of Ian’s parents and what they might think. After all, their son planned to be a priest. “What about your parents? Do they think it’s weird you stayed to come hang out with me?”

“They loved the idea. Honestly, they loved you. Said you were mature, sweet, and they were happy we got along so well.”

“Are they hoping you’ll fall madly in love with me and change your mind about being a priest?” I asked.

Holy crap.

I gasped when the words popped out of my mouth, and tried desperately to backtrack. My cheeks burned. “I’m sorry, Ian, I swear I didn’t mean that. I was just teasing.”

He gave a frown. “Why are you sorry? That’s exactly what they’re hoping for.” He stopped and looked down at me. “Not to freak you out or anything, but I’m already crazy about you, Allegra. I don’t have much more before I fall hard.”

I gulped, stunned at his honesty. This man didn’t believe in games or keeping himself safe. He just put out his emotions and damn the consequences. What would it be like to feel so brave and . . . free?

He noticed my confusion and gave me a quick kiss on the lips. “I’m getting way too serious. Let’s have some fun. I’d like to check out the basilica—I read there’s a gorgeous mosaic of the ascension of Christ. How about you?”

I pushed away my spinning thoughts and concentrated on the here and now. Plenty of time for serious stuff later. “The Museo del Risorgimento. It’s got tons of art I’d love to study.”

He grinned. “Done. Let’s go so we’ll be back in time for dinner.”

The rest of the fleeting afternoon we toured. He taught me more about the church and I taught him art history. We wandered the botanical gardens and got dizzy with the scent of fresh flowers wafting in the air. When we finally arrived back at the villa, I was exhausted, still full, and deliriously happy.