Ross considered her request. “I fell in love with a beautiful woman in Florence.”

“Ah yes, that’s good. But she doesn’t love you?”

“No, I think she does.”

“Better still. Then what’s the problem?”

“She’s married.”

Valentina’s face twisted. “That package comes with too much pain. Especially when there are so many other options.” She cocked her head just in case Ross missed that she was speaking of herself.

Ross smiled at her. “There’s something special about this one.”

“I suspect her husband thinks so too.”

“I’m not sure that he does.”

“What is he like?”

“Gone, mostly. He’s home less than a week out of the month.”

She nodded. “Recipe for disaster. One part neglect, two parts attraction. Is she unhappy?”

“Abbastanza.” Enough.

“I don’t understand married people. They neglect their partner’s most basic needs then wonder why they go somewhere else to have them met, blaming everyone but themselves. It is the stupidity of the ages.”

“True.”

“Can you give this woman what she needs?”

“I would cherish her.”

“Then she would be a fortunate woman. So what is holding you back? Besides her husband.”

“I don’t know. Fear of the unknown. I haven’t had the best luck with love.”

“Capisco.” I understand.

Just then the hotel’s front door opened and an older couple walked in. Valentina met them at the counter and registered them for a room. When she came back, Ross was immersed in the game. For a while she watched as well. Then she said, “The thing about soccer is that whenever someone takes a shot they don’t really know if it’s going to score or not. But they miss every shot they don’t take.”

Ross’s eyebrows rose.

“If you’re not going to try because you’re not sure of the outcome, then you might as well not even play.”

“That’s the wisest thing I’ve heard since I came to Italy.”

“Someday they are going to bury me next to Marcus Aurelius. There’s more to me than meets the eye.” She rested her chin on her hands. “And there’s a lot to meet the eye, isn’t there?”

He smiled. “So tell me, why is such a beautiful woman, who knows so much about love, alone tonight?”

“I’m one of those who learns the hard way. I have the scars to prove it.” She suddenly stood up. Sighed. “I’m going home now. Last call.”

He took her hand, kissed it. “Sorry.”

“Me too. We’d have fun. Buona notte, Ross.”

“Good night, Valentina. Thank you.”

“It’s nothing.” She stopped at the door. “Oh . . . and if the shot doesn’t go in, I’m sure that I’ll still be here.” She winked. “Ciao.”

The door shut behind her, leaving him alone in the lobby. It was pure Italian, Ross thought: beauty and truth where you least expect it. He knew what he wanted. Each day away from her had confirmed it to his heart. His only question was, would her heart concur?

CHAPTER 23