She’d had her first heartbreak and there was nothing I could do. I felt helpless, but I also sensed this was a turning point for us. She’d opened up and cried in my arms. She’d allowed me to comfort her and try to soothe her pain. For the first time in too long, I was there when she needed me.

“First love is hard,” Enzo said, his fingers entwined with mine.

I gave a small sigh. “It is. I can’t even rage or be mad at him. He’s a wonderful man who made my daughter a better person. He’s just not meant to be with her outside of this.”

He stared into the night, a thoughtful look on his face. “Some love stories are meant to be temporary,” he said, his voice light.

I couldn’t help but stiffen at his comment. He seemed so casual, as if he was speaking about us. We hadn’t discussed any future or plans after our time in Tuscany. It was too special and precious to ruin with empty promises. But right now, it’d be nice to hear some. “Absolutely,” I said. “Nothing wrong with enjoying what it is for the moment. Then you forget.”

He quirked a brow and gave me a look. “You never forget, cara. Not if it’s the right love story.”

I gave a sniff. “Whatever.”

“Hmm, you seem cranky tonight. Do you have something on your mind?”

I bristled. “No! Just thinking about how badly Allegra is hurting and wishing I could help. After all, I’m leaving tomorrow and so are you. The same thing is going to happen to us. Será será, right?”

“You mean, quel che sarà sarà?”

“Yeah, that.”

Amusement and something else, something deeper, sparked in his dark eyes. “So I guess that means you won’t think about me once we leave each other, no?”

“Well, I won’t be thinking of you if you’re not thinking of me.” Oh my God, did I really just utter those childish words? I almost groaned, but I was too far gone to admit defeat. “I mean, we had a great time and all, but now we’re moving on. Right?”

“You are going home to New York to run your business. I’m staying in Italy. Unless . . .”

My breath caught. There was nothing logically that could be done, but still I was dying to hear his suggestion. “Unless?”

He seemed to pick his words carefully. “Unless you would like to see me again? I have much vacation. I’ve been wanting to take a trip to New York.”

My heart began to slam against my chest, but this time it was no panic attack. It was hope. “You’d want to come see me?”

“Yes, cara. I know it will be hard, and there are many obstacles between us. But the idea of not being with you rips me apart. I’d like to try.”