If Giorgio noticed the chill between them, he didn’t remark on it. He did a very good job of hiding whatever he thought of the sudden change for the rest of the tasting. He’s probably used to high emotions in here, Ryann thought. Weddings make everyone crazy.

The two of them tried several dishes, and she had a hard time swallowing any of the food. She was still full from earlier, but she also had what seemed like a permanent lump in her throat. Maddie ate quickly and with very little comment, never once glancing at her. It was possibly the worst meal in Ryann’s life, and she would never know how Maddie managed to make any kind of informed decision when they were done. Everything tasted like ash.

Chapter Seventeen

Maddie drove Ryann back to her hotel without saying a word, and this time it was a distinctly uncomfortable silence. Ryann would occasionally comment on the weather or something they passed, but Maddie did little but grunt or raise her eyebrows, offering one or two words beyond this, but little else. The longer this treatment went on, the more and more she regretted getting herself in this mess. While it was true they didn’t have anything to talk about in terms of why she was leaving, it was immature and childish of Maddie to act this way. After all, they would see each other at the wedding, and possibly once or twice before that later this week, if Ryann could get back sooner. Being angry and upset would only ruin any of those events. At least Maddie could be civil, like an actual adult.

When they pulled into the hotel parking lot, she continued to sit there, chewing her bottom lip. She wanted to say something, wanted to make all of this between them at least a little better before she left for London, but she couldn’t think of how to begin.

Maddie sighed next to her and took her hand, squeezing it lightly before letting go. Her expression was softer now, sad instead of hard.

“Ryann—I’m sorry. I said I get it, and I do. I’m not very good at dealing with disappointment. I shouldn’t have acted like that just now.”

Her eyes welled up, and she looked away and out the front window, blinking quickly. “Thank you. And I’m sorry, too. About everything. Really, I am.”

“Are you sure…?” Maddie said.

“What?”

Maddie hesitated. “Are you sure you have to go? I know it’s stupid to ask, but I’m going to regret it if I don’t at least try one more time.”