Allegra sighed. “I told her to go. He seemed very nice.”

My mother looked horrified. “I don’t even know him! Besides, I’m here to spend time with my family—not gallivant with strange men.”

“I think it’s awesome,” my daughter said with twinkling eyes. “I hope I’m just like you when I’m older.”

I knew the comment was innocent, but it still stung. I’d always been proud to show my daughter what a strong woman could do alone. But it seemed she respected her grandmother’s choices more.

“Better to be like your mom. She would have said yes to an adventure.”

Allegra rolled her eyes and a moment of awkward silence fell upon us. It was obvious my daughter disagreed with her theory but didn’t want to say it aloud. Enzo glanced back and forth between us with a curious look, and I cleared my throat. “Well, I’m sorry I missed lunch and the gelato. Maybe we can walk around and explore. Shop a bit.”

“Oh, I’d love to do some shopping. It would be nice to get a new scarf,” Mom said.

I decided a good bribe was in order to gain my daughter’s forgiveness. “Allegra, I thought it’d be nice to pick up a piece of jewelry. Something that makes you remember our trip,” I suggested. “Maybe a bracelet or necklace?”

Allegra shrugged. “I don’t need anything.”

Oh yeah, she was punishing me. I grabbed at my patience and tried to see her point. I’d have to make it up to her. “I’m sure we’ll find something you like.”

“I’ll point out a few good shops and then I shall leave you ladies to your shopping,” Enzo said.

We descended the stairs and I enjoyed the shifting view of the square as I passed each level. I’d almost reached the bottom when my heel began to slide along the slippery pavement, and I floundered to reach the railing in time to keep my balance.

I didn’t.

The awful moment happened in a rush. Suddenly, my entire foot caught air, and I fell back. My butt crashed to the ground, I knocked the back of my head, and yet unbelievably that wasn’t the end of it. I kept sliding, bumping down a few more steps in a wild, jerky ride, to spill into a collapsed heap at the first landing.

Ah shit.

My body ached from the fall, but my pride stung more. Cheeks burning red, I heard the concerned shouts and caught the pointed gestures toward me right before I tried to scramble to my knees, but I was off-balance and I fell back again. “I’m okay!” I shouted hoarsely to the crowd of onlookers, desperate to get to my feet.

Before I could try again, Enzo reached down and scooped me up in his arms like an old-fashioned lover coming to my rescue.