Page 103 of Winter

He grinned, and he looked like the Olly she’d loved and adored for more than half her life. “Chipper? Make sure you drink your coffee with your little finger out if you’re going to come around here using them posh words.”

She giggled. “Loser. Seriously, though, I mean it.”

He shrugged, flushing in embarrassment. “Took some time off. I needed this time to get my head right. Sort out my priorities. Let other things go.” He gave a small laugh. “It’s been good. I’ve been … regrouping.”

Inca said nothing, sipping her coffee. Olly’s overalls were spattered with green paint and she nodded at them. “Suits you. How’s things with the Whirling Derp-bitch?”

Olly had told her, hesitantly, that he’d ‘sorta, kinda’ been dating Belinda Clements. Inca’s reaction had been unexpected; she’d burst into peals of laughter and told him to “have at it, but, boy, am I going to make you suffer for it.”

Olly snickered, but tried to look disapproving. “All right.” His smile faded. “How’s things at home?”

Inca sighed to herself. She could see behind the question. She spoke carefully when she replied. “I’m getting there, Olly. It’ll take some time.”

“It will. Look, for what it’s worth, I think you’re doing the right thing. A new start. I hate to admit it, but I like your Raffaelo. He’s a good man.”

Inca grinned. “Still not keen on Tommaso, then?”

Olly laughed. “He’s okay too.”

Inca smiled, but then her face become serious. “You know, you’ll always be welcome in Italy. For however long.”

Olly nodded. “You’re sweet, but I think it’s time for me to build my own new life.”

Inca raised her glass to him. “Here’s to a new life.”

Later, Knox came to pick her up and they decided to get pizza and go back to his place. Raffaelo would pick her up at eight, but Inca glanced at the weather with concern. Another winter storm was coming in and the snow was getting really heavy. She and Knox talked and ate, but she couldn’t help being a little nervous about Raffaelo in the snow. She kept looking at her watch.

After the fourth time that Inca glanced at the clock, Knox grinned. “He said he’d be here at eight and he’ll be here at eight.”

She grinned. “Sorry. It’s just … finally we get to be happy, and it would just our luck if the weather … well, you know.”

Knox rubbed her shoulder but said nothing. Inca smiled at him, then frowned when she noticed he wasn’t looking at her.

“What is it? What’s up?”

Knox sighed. “Oh, you know … I just wish I had what you and Raffaelo have. What Raffaelo has.”

Inca swallowed, embarrassed by the compliment. “Knox …”

“You look really beautiful tonight, Inca.”

Inca glanced down at herself—a simple white T-shirt, admittedly a little skintight, and old tattered jeans. She looked at him, askance. “You need your eyes tested.”

Knox’s face was red and he threw back the rest of his drink. “Sorry.” He got up and went to the kitchen. Inca hesitated for a moment. She hated to see him like this, shy, embarrassed. “Knox?”

“I’m good, Inca, really. I’ll be out in a sec.” His voice seemed normal.

She shrugged and glanced again at the clock. Raffaelo would be in here in five minutes. God, she hated herself for saying it but she hoped Knox would go—she wanted Raffaelo all to herself tonight.

Knox came back, handing her a soda. She waved the T remote. “Wanna watch some crap?”

He smiled. “Sure thing.”

Inca flicked through the stations until she found a comedy show. She grinned and turned to him. “Knox, I …”

Knox, calmly but forcefully, slammed his fist into her temple and everything went dark.

Raffaelo couldn’t waitany longer—he wanted Inca to have her time with her friends, but the snow was turning into a blizzard now and he had no intention of sleeping apart from her tonight. He left a note to tell Tommaso where he was going, then got into his car.