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“Aww, it’s not such a big deal. Really, I won’t say anything, and I promise to be surprised.” Catalina chided.

“Not going to do it.”

Catalina poked out her bottom lip. “Fine.”

“How about a compromise.” Mira said placing down the sheers. “I confirm that he has it and whether it’s big or small, so you will have a general idea.”

Fabiana smiled at Catalina. “That sounds fair. What do you think?”

Catalina cheered. “Perfecto!”

After sunset and her fingers were cramped, Mira too gave up and found her way to her room. She showered alone. She was dressing for bed when she heard the inside door open. She peeked out to see Giovanni arrive. She watched him go over to the bed and drop down on the edge exhausted, putting his head in his hands. He didn’t even look up to see her watching.

“Tough day at the office, honey?”

He looked up at her and smiled weakly. “Cute.”

“Want to talk about it?”

Kneeling in front of him she parted his legs so she could ease in between them and look up into his face. “Maybe I can help?”

He lifted his face from his palms. Their eyes met. A small smile curled the corner of his mouth. “You are helping, by being here.” Giovanni sat upright. Bringing her from the floor to his lap, he kissed the inside of her neck. “I’m sorry your store is closed.”

“I have plenty of stores.” Mira smiled. “Besides, it’s only a setback. We might need a different building.”

“You accept things very easily, Mira, without question. That’s why I’m so fond of you.”

“Fond?” She brushed her lips over his. “Only fond of me?”

“I’m falling in love with you.” He said.

Mira drew away. “Love?”

“A man knows his heart, and I know I have never desired, trusted, wanted a woman more than you.” He stroked the side of her face. “Tell me that isn’t love.”

Mira escaped his lap. She nervously shook her head. “That’s too fast. I, we, that’s too fast.”

“For what? For you to accept us as a couple? For you to trust me?”

Mira paced. She and Kei had been together a year before she even said the word. How the hell could two weeks turn into love? It’s the country, the romance, the sex. All of it had her head in clouds, but she wasn’t reckless. She loved her newfound independence, her freedom to do and be whoever she wanted. She didn’t come to Italy for love. When she looked back to him her entire being seized with the emotions she discovered in his arms. “Let me ask you a question, Giovanni.”

He nodded.

“What is expected of… a woman, your woman, a woman in your life?”

“Expected?” he frowned.

“Let’s not pretend here. I sure as hell can’t. You are a complicated man with a complicated life. What happens to a woman you fall in love with?”

He rose. “What’s expected of any love? It grows.”

“And?”

“And eventually we marry.”

Mira looked away.

“If you love me, we marry. As my wife you’ll have my bambinas and take care of our home. You will support me unconditionally.”