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“I’m sorry I kept you waiting so long. I had no idea.” I hand the letter over to him.
When he leaves and I close the door, I can’t help but think how asking the courier to wait is a small gesture, but I cannot help but find the dedication to receive a response sexy.
I once again sink down to the floor.
I made my decision. I just hope that it’ the right one.
8
ENZO
Myfingerstapacrossthe hardwood of the table in front of me. I glance at my watch. It has been over half an hour since I sent the courier upstairs to Quinn’s room.
Can the courier have messed up during the delivery?
The other possibility, of course, is much bleaker. That Quinn simply decided not to respond.
Shehasto. I kept the letter short and to the point. A simple no from her side would suffice if she didn’t want to come see me.
So, what’s taking her so long?
It’s the courier’s fault. It has to be. I’ll have a few choice words for him as soon as—
A tap on my shoulder pulls me out of my head.
“Sir, the letter.”
I snatch it eagerly from his hands, waving my hand to dismiss him before tearing it open.
See you downstairs, Mr. Marchetti.
Anticipation swirls inside of me as I re-read the reply over a few times.
I have grown tired of being consumed by thoughts of Quinn. This has gone on for too long, and I need to know for sure where exactly it can lead me once and for all.
I fold the paper neatly, stuffing it into the pockets of my coat. Nervousness swells inside of me, as I realize that she’ll be coming down at any moment now.
We have a lot in common.
She is unlike others in the group. She actually cares about winemaking with a passion that almost rivals my own. It’s not every day that I meet a woman like that. In fact, the last time I did, I ended up marrying her.
Guilt gnaws at my chest at the thought of Valentina. It almost feels wrong to pursue someone new, even though she’s not here anymore.
But I comfort myself with the reminder that Valentina would have never wanted me to hold myself back. She’d encourage me to go after someone I wanted, if anything.
That was one of the first things that had attracted me to her in the first place. Her free spirit—never wanting to control me and tie me down. My commitment to her was out of my own will.
But then, another worry popped into my head.
Luciana.
My daughter’s opinion is something I value a lot in this world. I cannot imagine what her reaction will be when she discovers that her father is pursuing women half his age.
I’ve taken great care to not let my children see me with other women after my wife passed. Sure, there has been the odd one-night stand after a particular bout of loneliness. But there has been no one whom I wanted to introduce to my children.
What if my daughter doesn’t accept that I’m willing to move on now? Hell, it’s hard enough for me to accept it.
Yet, despite everything, I know that I’ll regret it forever if I at least don’t try something with Quinn.