The incessant sound of my cell phone alarm rung in the air and I suddenly bolted out of bed. Sunlight shone in my bedroom window. Late! Aura would be waiting for me. I washed, threw on a pair of pants, my bra, a clean shirt and my sneakers.

In my rush, I glanced in the mirror by the door. My light brown hair had a golden streak in it. How strange? It was like someone took a bleached pen right down the middle. I quickly fixed my ponytail so no one would notice and left.

Aura would probably be angry that I was late to our appointment. As I hurried to the lobby, I used the railing to propel myself forward over the last few stairs and headed to the breakfast patio. I searched the crowd for her.

I smiled as I spotted her, until the crowd parted and I realized she sat with someone. The sexiness of those blue eyes replayed in my head as I stared at the muscular man across from my boss. Numb, I wanted to disappear. The witty and worldly beautiful Aura sat and joked with my Robert.

Okay, he wasn't mine, but there he was, and he seemed to be enjoying their conversation. If I slipped out, perhaps they'd never see me.

Aura then turned in her seat and her light blue eyes met mine. Robert followed her gaze.

I felt run over by a bullet train though I was only in the lobby of our hotel.

Aura waved for me to join them in their booth. Had Robert ended our date so suddenly last night because he wanted Aura? I hoped to shrivel up and die right here and now, but then Robert's vibrant hues stared into me. A shock somehow pulled me toward the abyss. Butterflies grew in my stomach as I inched closer to the breakfast table.

Aura wore a designer black skirt with a matching button down shirt and simple diamonds studs in her ears. She nodded. "You're late, Daphne."

My hands clenched as I thought of Aura with Robert. I held the edge of my shirt in a ball and lowered my head, wishing Robert hadn’t heard that. "I'm sorry. I overslept."

“Clearly.” She didn't look at me, but she scooted over to make room. "Daphne, sit down."

"Yes, of course." I’d tried to be friends with Aura, but she treated me like an annoying gnat. I wanted to find commonalities, but she didn’t feel the same. I sank into the seat beside her and refused to look at Robert.

I imagined sitting next to Robert, shoulder to shoulder, tugged to him by an invisible string. As if he wanted me next to him, but that was impossible. I had the worst imagination. He shouldn't be here. I thought he’d never wanted to see me again after last night.

Robert lifted his finger to a passing server. "Waiter, can you bring a round of cappuccinos?"

I glanced at him, and Robert stared back at me intensely. I had no idea what to say, but I couldn't tear my eyes away from his.

Aura poked me in my side. "Daphne, I want to introduce you to someone famous.” She reached across the table to place her hand on his shoulder. My heart thumped as she laughed. “This is Robert De Marco. He invested a substantial sum in the Volos hotel chains years ago that have paid off nicely.”

"I like making money." He winked at me.

They were not dating then. A rush of energy built inside me. I couldn't tell my boss that I’d met him last night and that I was such poor company he’d sent me home. She'd ask questions and realize I’d embarrassed myself and then she'd never let me talk to anyone she knew. I gritted my teeth and chose to nod my head. "Nice to meet you, Mr. De Marco."

"I would prefer if you call me Robert." His gaze went too deep and I cringed, fearing he’d out me. Instead he said, "Your assistant is beautiful, Aura. Her face will help me sweet talk the convention hosts."

My entire face warmed. No one thought I was beautiful. This was crazy. He’d said the same thing at dinner but hadn’t tried to even kiss me good night. I gulped my cappuccino, my mind whirling. Had a convention brought him here?

Aura turned and stared at my profile for a split second. "She is, but not as beautiful as your late wife. Serena was perfection. Nobody else could ever compare."

Robert's face darkened. "Yes, Serena was beautiful."

A terrible sinking feeling expanded in my stomach. Death was so final. I didn't know what to say to him. He’d lost someone he loved. Grandma was all I had and I'd been numb since her death. It was probably worse if that someone was your spouse.

"Daphne can help you today,” Aura said. “She'll be happy to get out of the office."

My mouth dropped open and I couldn’t quite close my lips for a minute. She wanted me to spend all day with Robert? "What's going on?"

Aura checked a message on her cell phone then narrowed her gaze at me. "I told Mr. De Marco that you would accompany him. He is conducting an interview at the Palazzo Vecchio."

My neck was like a ping-pong paddle that swung between the two of them. "Where do I fit in?"

Robert sipped his cappuccino.

Aura said, "All you have to do is hold the camera. His cell phone lens isn't professional enough and the guy he hired quit this morning."

So I was a fill-in for the hired help. If he thought me so desperate, then this “job” was pity. My stomach ached. I’d been so naïve, wishing last night had been a date. I stared at the plate of food that somehow appeared in front of me.

Robert kept his voice low as if he spoke just to me. "I have the camera, Daphne. I'd love it if you'd join me."

The word love coming from his mouth made me melt. I didn't look up, but nodded. "Are you sure?"

"Of course he's sure.” Aura picked up her cappuccino cup like the heroine in my grandmother’s movies. “You'll stay with him all day and we'll get together for dinner to go over the Villa acquisition."

I got the feeling that Aura didn't want me near her today, which meant she had something to do that didn’t require a babysitter. I should probably let her go, as I'd like a recommendation for the future. I tugged my ear. Aura hadn't hired me. We were supposed to check in once a day with her mom. "What about the phone call to your mother, Ms. Volos?"

She brightened like she’d won the lottery. I massaged the nape of my neck as she said, "We’ll take care of it earlier than expected, right after breakfast. This way we're both free."

A loose tendril of hair fell in my face, but I didn't brush it away. I let the barrier stand. "Are you sure?"

"Yes." Aura calmly drank her cappuccino. "So hurry and finish."

I didn't see any other options, so I looked up at Robert. "I'll do whatever you need, Mr. De Marco."

"Thank you, Daphne. Whatever I need is pretty open-minded of you.” He tucked the wayward piece of hair behind my ear. “I’m looking forward to your company. I like this gold streak of yours.”

Every cell in my body was alive from his one brief touch.

“You must have gotten a hair-cut last night too. That’s what’s different about you.” Aura put her cup down. "Daphne, if this works out, perhaps Robert will know of a job for you when we get back home. You'll have a little money saved by then so you can get an apartment and afford whatever it is you want."

There would never be any mystery about my past or me, clearly. I didn't want to say “thank you for telling him I’m broke.” so I said instead, "We'll see, Ms. Volos."

Aura placed her hand on my shoulder so I stood from the booth. She scooted out. I folded my hands, waiting to eat my untouched breakfast, but then Aura said, "Daphne, join me in my room so we can call Mom."

She clearly wanted the day to herself. I didn't have the heart to argue. "Yes, ma'am. I'll be right back, Mr. De Marco."

“Robert.” Robert stared straight at me. "I'll wait here for you."

My heartbeat doubled and I wanted to stay with him. I’d read about crushes on guys, but no one mentioned how it left my heart begging to be near him and how my skin ached for a simple touch. I swallowed and turned to follow Aura to our hotel suite.

Every step felt like a million miles away from where I should be. I marched on, like I was some soldier off to a battle when everything I ever wanted waited for me at home, which was odd to think. Robert reminded me of home and gave me a sense of belonging.

The door to Aura's hotel suite closed behind us. My boss walked to her desk and shut an open file folder, then she turned to me and straightened her skirt.

I didn't say anything. She crossed her arms. "I wanted to give you a warning, Daphne. I saw how you looked at Robert De Marco."

A million pins seemed lodged in my body and she twisted them by her observation. My voice cracked as I asked, "What do you mean?"

Aura shook her head. "Googly eyes. Serena only died about three months ago. Robert was absolutely in love with her. She was gorgeous and perfect in every way. It makes sense that he’s sad without her—I think he's lost twenty pounds and he was already on the skinny side. I thought you should know that he'll always love his wife's memory."

My collar seemed to choke my neck. "Three months ago?"

She dropped her hands to her side and touched my arm. "Yeah."

"He must be devastated." No wonder he hadn’t even tried to kiss me.

She rubbed my back. "Good. I'm glad I told you. I am worried about his health. Not that we are close friends, but he has a Midas touch when it comes to investing and he’s been very happy with Volos hotels, which makes me happy. He mentioned this morning that his assistant quit, and of course I thought of you."

“Thank you." I cringed at the thought of being Robert’s secretary for years while he eventually healed and found someone that was his equal to love again.

“There is a camera on the side table near the door for you to use.”

“Okay. Thank you, Ms. Volos.”

Aura shrugged and took out her cell phone. "Now, let's tell my mom how we're getting along and then you get downstairs to keep Robert company. As he's paying you for one day what I pay you in a month, this should be enough to get your feet planted on the ground somewhere once the hotel deal is finished."

I might have done the same thing if the shoe had been on the other foot. I didn’t hesitate when Aura’s mother answered. "Good morning, Mrs. Volos.” After a few minutes of me assuring Mrs. Volos that Aura looked well and hardy, she asked to speak to her daughter. “Aura,” I called loudly as if on the other side of the room. “Your mother wishes to speak to you.”

Her mother had no idea what happened in Italy and it might be for the best.

Aura stared at my midnight blue slacks and her nose wrinkled. Then she shrugged as I handed her the phone. “Hello, Mother.”

I inched toward the door. I had a grieving widower that I had a crush on to follow around for the day. My soul felt like a shriveled old raisin that had been left out to dry, craving his presence after too long without him. Aura mouthed the word "Bye" and I slipped outside the suite, camera bag in hand, my wallet inside. Robert waited for me downstairs. As I neared him, I felt my entire body become stronger.