My words were casual, but inside, I knew he was worth fighting for. He called on a regular basis and was interested in the day-to-day routine, from my work to gossip to what I was watching on TV. He loved chatting with Allegra and keeping abreast of her athletic meets and schoolwork. We FaceTimed and texted. Even from a distance, I felt close to him, as if our hearts had already recognized each other and didn’t want to let go.

“I’m glad—you deserve to be happy and I adore Enzo. How are you feeling? Any further panic attacks?”

“Not lately. But I’m more aware of my triggers, so maybe that helps.” I always felt like the monster was close, ready to leap from the darkness and slam my body into crippling anxiety. But just knowing I could control my breathing and get through it soothed me a bit. I’d also been trying some meditation in the morning to calm my mind.

We chatted some more, and a delivery person popped in with a beautiful bouquet of mixed roses. Figuring it was one of Mom’s many church friends, I watched her read the card and do something I hadn’t seen before.

Blush.

“Mom, who are the flowers from?” I asked.

She turned even pinker, her laugh a touch guilty. “Oh, just someone I met in Italy.”

I tilted my head. “Who? Someone from the tour?”

“No, a man I met in Venice.” Her eyes gleamed with a spark of excitement. “I’m thinking of joining him on a tour through Paris. He said the group was extremely nice and they catered to senior citizens.”

My jaw dropped. “Are you kidding? You can’t go off to Paris! You need healing and rest. How come you never told me about this?”

“Oh, Frannie, don’t be silly, it’s nothing. It wouldn’t be until next year anyway, and I’m only considering it. There’s no need to make a fuss.”

I noticed she gave the roses an appreciative sniff and put them right in her eyeline so they’d be easy to view. “Can I at least know his name?”

She gave a very motherly sigh. “Milton. Now, let’s change the subject before the nurse comes in for her rounds.”

I did but made a mental note to steal the card and see what Milton had said to my mother.

When I left, we’d made arrangements for her to leave the next day, if she did her business like the nurses demanded.

I hummed under my breath as I got to my car and headed back to work.

It just happened to be Dean Martin.

He was a classic for a reason.

CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX

Allegra