I pack towels, a beach blanket, sunscreen, Aiden’s toys, and some snacks. Just before leaving, I get a call from Nolan, who tells me that John’s trial has started. He begs me not to worry and says he’ll keep me updated if anything comes up. I promise not to worry. I’ve already decided not to let John screw with my happiness—not anymore. When I get to the beach, it’s sunny and eighty-two degrees. I pick our spot out of the many I have to choose from—it’s not too busy today, at least not yet—and get everything set up.

After putting sunscreen on Aiden and myself, he’s ready to get into the water.

“Ready, lamby?” I say.

“Si,” he says, jumping and flapping his arms excitedly at the sea.

I take his hand and run as fast as he can into the water. A smooth wave washes up to his feet, and he gets even more excited. I sweep him into my arms, and we move deeper into the crystal-clear water. Together we laugh and splash and ride the gentle waves. Aiden always gets a kick out of watching other kids jumping and diving and splashing in the water. He always tries to mimic them.

I lose track of time, and all of a sudden remember we’re supposed to be meeting Gianfranco here. I scan the beach and see a guy at the edge of the sand, wearing a well-fitted white T-shirt with tan beach shorts, shading his eyes with his hand. He has Gianfranco’s build, and he’s probably scanning the other patrons, many of whom are topless—and bottomless for that matter—to see if he can spot me.

I can tell Aiden is losing interest in the water anyway.

“Are you ready for a snack?” I ask Aiden.

He looks at me and nods. I kiss his wet, salty cheek.

Gianfranco sees us walking out of the water. For the first time since my earlier days in Italy, I’m well aware that I’m topless. Thank goodness I have a nice rack.

Once I make it back to the sand, I give Gianfranco a hug and notice that he’s having a difficult time not staring at my breasts.

“You came,” I say.

“I said I would.”

We peer into each other’s eyes as we did much of last night.

“Great, let’s go sit,” I say, gesturing toward our blanket.

Aiden is already a little tuckered out, but he smiles at Gianfranco as he eats his peeled apple.

“Hello, Aiden,” Gianfranco says before apologizing for being late. “I’ve been inspired lately.”

My eyebrows perk. “Yeah.”

Aiden is lying against me, eating and looking at Gianfranco with a half smile and big eyes.

“He likes you,” I say.

“Is that so?” Gianfranco leans forward and tickles Aiden’s belly.

“Yeah, and he’s been playing in the water, doing somersaults and dreaming about being one of the big boys.” I look at Aiden. “Whom he can only keep up with in his dreams.”

“No way,” Gianfranco says while making swimming motions with his arms. “You want to play like the big boys?”

Aiden laughs.

“Si,” Gianfranco says, nodding.

“Si,” Aiden says.

“Then let’s go.” He looks at me, and his eyebrows rise at my beautiful breasts. “And Mommy can come too!”

“Okay!” I say.

We go back to the water and play some more. Gianfranco is stronger than I am, so he takes us a little deeper into the water and holds Aiden while he makes believe he’s swimming on his own. Gianfranco goes under the water, then up. Aiden does the same, and I follow. Gianfranco splashes me, and Aiden follows suit.

“Is that what you like doing? You like to splash Mommy?” I say.

Aiden laughs and splashes more.

We play in the water for so long that I have to put sunscreen on Aiden twice before we return to the blanket. Aiden lies down between both of us and is soon asleep. I cover him with a towel to protect him from the sun.

“That was fun. Thanks for making my son’s day,” I say.

“It was fun for me too. And I also had a really great time at the party with you last night,” Gianfranco says.

I smile, looking toward the sky and recalling him turning me into a human canvas. “That was nice. I’m glad you caught me before I left.” I hand him a cracker with some cheese on it, then I make one for myself.

“Thank you,” he says.

“So,” I say in a tone that indicates I’m changing the subject. “I told you a lot about myself last night. What about you? Any sins from the past you like to keep from the light?”

He chuckles, looking into the distance. “Of course. I too was once in love. And now I am not.”

“What about your family?”

“You know so much about my castle. Do you not know about my family too?”

“I know that you mother and father died in a car accident when you were seven. Your mother’s brother took you in. He had no children or wife. However, you inherited the castle, and your fortune, from your father’s family.”

He leans forward as if he’s about to speak a secret. “It seems you know everything.”

I narrow an eye suspiciously. “Everything?”

He takes a breath. “I was married once.”

“Oh? There’s no record of that.”

“Our marriage lasted two months, then it was annulled. I was not her forever lover and she was not mine.”

“Are you looking for your forever lover?”

He stares deeply into my eyes. “Aren’t we all?”

I feel flush with emotion, as though he’s looking into my soul, and I into his.

He shifts his position. “I would like to take you on a proper date soon. Very soon.”

“Absolutely.” I look at Aiden then the sky. It’s getting late, and he’s clearly spent. “He likes you.”

“And I like him.”

Again, we smile at one another.

“Then I will call you soon,” he says.

I tilt my head and narrow one eye. “You will call, or Juanita will call?”

“Juanita will call?” He looks at me blankly, then laughs. “This time, I will place the call.”

Aiden snores.

“Terrific.” I begin putting everything away to head for home.

“One last thing,” he says, his hand gently on my arm. “Can I kiss you?”

I tingle all over, remembering last night’s kiss. “You may.”

Our lips connect, and again my body is splashed with warmth inside. We remain connected for a few seconds before we part.