“I’m still confused, though,” she admitted. “When I’m with you I feel amazing. Then when you were gone and I didn’t hear from you, I wondered what was happening. I still don’t know why you’re interested in me. What it is that you want.”

Luca looked at her thoughtfully. “Is that all?”

“No,” Colette admitted, deciding to be honest. “I want to know what we are. What is this thing between us?” she questioned. “Is it just a summer fling, or something more?”

“Summer flings can be wonderful,” he mused. He grinned from ear-to-ear until he saw the expression on Colette’s face.

“Is that what I am to you?”

His expression immediately became apologetic. “I was just making a joke. You want to know what you are to me. You want to know if there is more than just the time you have left here in Italy.”

“I want the truth, yes.”

“Well, I cannot tell you for certain.” Her face fell at his words. He shrugged. “I do not know what tomorrow will bring,” he continued. “I cannot say what will be with any certainty, but I can say what I hope will be.”

“What does that mean?” she asked, her voice testy. He was maddeningly obtuse.

He smiled. “Not right now, OK? There is much going on in my life right now. Today is just a day to enjoy the sun and each other.” He pulled her closer and whispered in her ear. “I will not play with your emotions. I would not be so cruel. I promise I will answer you, just not now. Now, I just want to be here—with you in my arms.”

“That’s not fair. Why should I wait around for you to make a decision, to tell me what’s really going on?”

“I do not intend to tell you, my Colette. I plan to show you. Before you leave here, I will make all the arrangements, and soon, you will know. I hope to know also.”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean—you are having summer fun right now. When you leave next week, it is over. Italy is gone. But I will still be here. You think you are the only one who wants to know what tomorrow brings for us? I do also. But first, I want you to know your heart. Then, I will show you what is in mine.”

“I think I already know what’s in mine,” she admitted softly.

“Then we have no problem,” he replied with a smile, kissing her on the nose.

Colette rested her head on his shoulder.

She just hoped that what they both wanted was the same thing.

Chapter 39

Then

Kim was about to climb a mountain, literally and figuratively.

As she and Colette began their trek along the gray volcanic gravel trail upward to the crater of Mount Vesuvius, her thoughts were going a mile a minute.