Total pages in book: 55
Estimated words: 51166 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 256(@200wpm)___ 205(@250wpm)___ 171(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 51166 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 256(@200wpm)___ 205(@250wpm)___ 171(@300wpm)
Whenever Matteo and Fiero spoke of their home, I pictured it as one of many houses, clustered together on a steep hillside, like the famous images of Italy I’ve seen. But there aren’t any other homes nearby, and as we walk the grounds, I realize this could be described as an estate.
My eye settles on a building adjacent to the main house, attached by a covered walkway. “What is that?”
“That is my studio.”
It’s like a giant hand squeezing my heart. Their home is in Italy. Mine is thousands of miles away. Why must I be so foolish?
I need to just enjoy my time here, soak up as much of this little corner of Italy as I can, and not worry about the future. And definitely not fall any deeper for any of the Bestias.
“What shall we do today?” I ask.
“You should take a nap,” Matteo advises, coming to stand on my other side. “You want to be fully rested to appreciate everything. Tonight, we will visit the restaurant, and tomorrow we can go on an excursion.”
“That sounds good.” I stroll back to the house, my two boyfriends keeping pace with me. Giovanni hasn’t spoken, but I’m very aware of him at my back.
When we enter the kitchen, chatter reaches us from the dining room. Peering in, I see a family sitting at the table: mother, father, and three children, ranging in age from about eight to three. This must be the sister Giovanni mentioned.
Nonna Sofia is there too, which reminds me. “I’ll be right back,” I say, and hurry upstairs to my room, coming back with three small packages, wrapped in colorful paper tied with ribbon. I hand one to Signora Bestia, one to Nonna Sofia, and the third to Elenora.
They open them immediately and exclaim with delight at the handmade soaps I selected from my favorite store back in the city. “Thank you, Daniela. These are lovely.” I get hugged and kissed on both cheeks all over again.
I was only planning to bring gifts for their mother and grandmother, but something told me to pack an extra, just in case. I’m glad I did.
“So, Daniela,” Elenora says, “have my brothers been behaving?”
My cheeks heat at the question. I need to find out what Matteo and Fiero told their family about me.
I smile at her. “Yes, they have.”
“I imagine them getting up to all sorts of trouble in America.”
Signora Bestia makes a dismissive sound. “Ele, you still think of them as children. They are men now.”
They sure are, I think, chewing the inside of my lip to keep from smirking.
“Is there anything you need to make your stay more comfortable, Daniela?” Signora asks.
“No, thank you. Your home is very lovely, by the way, and the bed was so comfortable last night.”
“You should get more sleep today. Travel is so exhausting.”
Though they are such nice people and I enjoy talking with them, I seize on the chance to exit, in case there are more questions about my relationship with Matteo and Fiero. “You are right, Signora Bestia. I think I’ll take a short nap.”
Upstairs, I spend several minutes staring at the view from my window. My room is at the side of the house, so I can see a small bit of the sea as well as some of the vineyard on the hillside.
There are flowering bushes and trees all around the house, so different from things back home, where it’s still much too cold for anything to flower.
Behind me, the door opens, and I turn to see Matteo slip in.
My Heart Won’t Survive
Joining me at the window, Matteo says, “How are you liking Italy so far?”
“Everything is wonderful.” His hand brushes against mine, and I lace our fingers together. “What did you tell your mother about me?”
“Don’t worry about her.” He gives my hand a squeeze. “She’s not like a stereotypical mother, overbearing and nosy.”
Maybe, with three sons who look like hers do, Signora Bestia gave up long ago. I get the impression that nothing rattles her, but that doesn’t mean she’d be happy to have two of her sons sharing a woman.
“What about Fiero? Does she suspect I’m dating both of you?”
“No, she doesn’t think that.” Matteo smiles at me. “I promise, Dani, it’s all right. You’re our friend, and that’s all you have to be. Just Dani, your own lovely self.”
Some of the tension in my stomach finally unwinds. I do like the Bestia family, and it’ll be easier to enjoy my time here if I’m not worried about what conclusions they’re drawing.
Though being only a friend means monitoring our behavior like we do when we’re in public at home: no touching, no affection. Sneaking around may make sex more exciting, but it definitely has its downsides. It would be so nice to be able to throw my arms around Matteo and Fiero whenever I’d like, or kiss them, or even just take their hands.