She should never have gone out with him on the boat that night. It was after that, when he did succeed in his efforts, that everything changed.

And then, when she’d tried to pin down his feelings, he’d run for the hills.

God, she was so stupid. And pathetic, too.

Even with the benefit of hindsight, the realization was still devastating. She’d fallen—so hard—for Luca, and along with her heart, her pride had also taken one hell of a hit.

As her anger grew, she continued to try his number.

Let him tell her himself instead of hiding behind cowardly, pathetic text messages. How dare he? She didn’t want to believe that he’d be so callous toward her. She’d been so ready to give someone her heart for the first time in her life, and he was just playing with her.

How could anyone do that? Why would they?

“Colette?” a male voice called out suddenly from behind her.

She looked up as a bright, familiar grin greeted her, and she instinctively wiped her face.

“Ed,” she said in surprise, plastering a smile on her face. “What’re you doing here?”

“I thought it was you. I just spotted you from the promenade so I said I’d come down and say hello. I’m just on my way to a restaurant. L’Incanto—do you know it?”

Despite herself, Colette burst into tears.

“Colette, what on earth...?” he asked, concern lacing every word. “What happened?”

She was too upset to speak. The more he questioned, the harder she cried, until finally Ed hunkered down on the sand beside her.

He put a comforting arm around her shoulders and she moved into his embrace.

“Whatever’s the matter, you can tell me,” he soothed, pulling her into his chest. “Is it the Italian guy?” he questioned, and Colette now wished she hadn’t told him about Luca. But since he’d become more insistent about meeting up before she left for home, she’d had little choice but to let him know the details in the hope of letting him down more easily. “Where is he?” Then his tone changed. Concern still lingered but there was something else in his voice now—suspicion. “Did he do something?” He turned her face up toward his, willing her to meet his gaze. “Has he hurt you?”

Colette sniffled. “No, nothing like that. He’s not here.”

“So why are you here on the beach all by yourself?”

She shook her head sadly, embarrassed afresh to have to admit it out loud.

“He didn’t...he didn’t show.”

“Didn’t show? You mean he was supposed to meet you here and he stood you up? On your last night?”

Colette nodded, hurt and shame consuming her all over again.

“What a cock. These bloody Italians...”