Aiden and I get home. The smell of the fresh baguettes in the front seat kept my mind occupied with Gianfranco during the whole drive. We go into the house, and I make us some dinner. While Aiden is eating his spaghetti, my phone rings. It’s Salvatore. I let it go to voice mail.

I put Aiden to bed. He’s a little fussy, but it isn’t long before he’s out. I take a hot shower, and afterward, I slip into a comfortable white silk nightie and a soft robe. I grab some grana Padano cheese, red wine, and the fresh bread.

I set my plate and glass of wine on the small table on the patio before I settle into the lounger beside it and absorb the fallen sun. The sky’s violet, purple, and orange colors are about to fade into night.

I take a bite of my bread, smiling. I wouldn’t be having this exact moment if it weren’t for Gianfranco. Who would have thought that after calling him so many times for the coveted interview, and finally getting it, I’d see the man of mystery twice in one day? I raise my glass to the sky and toast. To something.

I search my feelings. “To an unusual day and an intriguing new man,” I say, finishing my toast.

The next morning, when I arrive at my desk, I find a note. “The package is ready,” it reads.

I head to the break room, grab a cup of coffee, then go to the editing room to review the copy. Elsa and Alessandro are already there.

“Look at this,” she says, pointing at the screen enthusiastically.

Before long, I see that Alessandro has crafted the dull snippets of the interview into something that flows seamlessly.

“I just want you to know you have done just a fantastic job,” Elsa says while rubbing my shoulder.

I take a sip of my coffee. “Thank you.” I continue to watch, admiring our work for several minutes. All of the parts that I thought would be problematic have been resolved.

“The dress you wore is just to die for,” Alessandro says.

I’d gotten lucky there since I’d just happened to be wearing my favorite Marchesa that day.

“I don’t know how you did it, but you made it come alive like magic,” I say to Alessandro.

Out of the corner of my eye, I catch Elsa taking a sip of coffee and snickering.

“It was easy,” Alessandro says. “Once I figured out the problem.”

“What problem?” I say.

“You do not see?” His voice rises as if it’s obvious.

“See what?”

“He has a crush on you.”

I blush. “Oh, I doubt that.”

Although the idea does get my juices flowing. Last night I fell asleep fantasizing about his firm body pressing deeply into mine. He was warm and strong and gave me so much pleasure.

“Well, that wouldn’t be all bad,” Elsa says, looking at me over the rim of her glasses.

“Come on, you guys, that’s enough,” I say.

“If the shoe fits.” Elsa winks and takes a sip of her coffee.

“Then wear it,” Alessandro finishes her thought. “I know I would.”

He flips through the segment and stops on a portion where the camera has caught Gianfranco staring at me. Elsa looks at me, her eyes wide. I laugh lightly, continuing to play it off like they’re just deranged, but I see what they mean. Gianfranco is looking at me like he wants me.

The footage concludes, and Elsa says, “We are going to start running promotions today. This airs tomorrow evening. After that, get ready for the calls.”

I jump to my feet. “Great! Then I’ll get back to my desk and plan for more interviews.” I head out of the editing bay.

I spend the rest of the day looking over my list of contacts and calling anyone I can to remind them that the show will air tomorrow evening. I leave early for the day and go home.

When I arrive, Floriana is surprised to see me. She hands me a white envelope.

“This was hand-delivered today, at noon.”

I look at it, frowning curiously. It has very elegant gold writing on it. “Who brought it by?”

She describes what sounds like a hired delivery service. I open the envelope. It’s an invitation to Gianfranco’s house. He’s having some sort of dinner party this Saturday, and I’m formally invited.

I think about Alessandro’s comment from earlier, and again I dismiss it.

I point emphatically. “I have to go get a vase.”

“Oh?” Floriana looks at me with a confused expression.

I explain how one of my crew members broke the vase at Gianfranco Guardi’s castle, and since I’m attending a dinner party at his place, it’s only polite to bring a replacement vase with me.

She thinks it’s a good idea, so I take Aiden into town. We go to an elegant store that’s similar to Tiffany & Co.

After saying hello to Rosa, the storekeeper, I ask if she has any vases. She steps from behind the counter and leads me through the maze of stuff. I pick up Aiden before I follow her though. She shows me several before I see one that I think will fit nicely in Gianfranco’s home. I set Aiden down and look at it closely. It’s decadent and looks as though it’s from the Italian Renaissance. It’s priced like it is too. But I’m captivated by its rich red and gold coloring, hand-painted flowers, a family crest, and a nude infantile angel.

My phone rings. I hand the vase to Rosa. “This one will be fine,” I say before reaching into my purse and grabbing my phone.

“Ciao,” Salvatore says, “How are you?”

“I’m fine,”

“Good,” he says. “I have been trying to call you. Where have you been?”

“I’ve been busy. What do you want?”

“Liza, I love you. I cannot be in life without you. I must see you.”

I look at the floor. “I don’t know, Salvatore. You have been very…”

“Arrogant and proud. I know,” he says.

“And I’m not sure if I feel the same way about you.”

“Then let me take you to dinner Saturday night. Let us talk about how I can change and make you happy.”

Suddenly, I hear something break on the other side of the store. Quickly I look around for Aiden. “Aiden?”

Salvatore says, “Saturday, we will have dinner somewhere very nice. No?”

“Aiden?” I call again, looking frantically up and down the aisles.

“Hello, hello, ciao?” Salvatore says.

I start walking fast. “Yes, Saturday will work fine. Be at my place at eight. Now I have to go.” I hang up and turn around the corner.

I find Aiden at the register with Rosa, playing with a pile of tiny spoons.

He lifts one. “See, Mommy!”

I press my palm against my heart in relief. For a moment, I thought he’d broken something very expensive.

* * *

When I arrive at the station the next morning, I set the invitation on Elsa’s desk and pat it.

“What is this?” she says.

I arch my eyebrows. “Read it. It’s from Gianfranco.”

Her eyes light up like a Christmas tree. “Look how big your smile is.”

I chuckle, but I’m still impatient. “Hurry, read it.”

“Okay, okay.” She opens the envelope and reads it, then looks at me. “Ooh, you’re invited to one of his famous dinner parties. And it’s this Saturday.”

Suddenly I remember something. “Saturday?”

“That’s what it says.”

Dang it. I told Salvatore I would have dinner with him on Saturday night.

Elsa hands back the invitation and congratulates me again on being one of the few ever invited to dinner at the great castle. I decide against telling her about my double booking, partially because I don’t want her to know that I agreed to grace Salvatore with my presence. I’m not sure I made the right decision letting him back into my life. However, I get an idea.

I race back to my desk and call Gianfranco. I tap the desk nervously as the phone rings.

“Castillo di Guardi,” Luther says, answering the phone.

I proceed to tell him that I would really enjoy attending the dinner party on Saturday but have a conflicting engagement. “Would it be okay to bring a…” I stop myself before saying date. I don’t want Gianfranco to get the wrong idea. “Friend?”

“Usually the dinner is for only those who have received invitations.” He takes a long pause. “I will check.”

I wait impatiently, but soon he’s back and tells me it’s fine. He hangs up before I can say thank you. One thing’s for sure—Gianfranco Guardi may want to try hiring a butler who’s not so rude.

Next I call Salvatore and tell him of the change in plans.

“It is dinner with the pompous artist?” he says.

“Yes,” I say sternly, holding my ground. If he doesn’t want to go, then that solves it. We might reschedule for another time—might.

He sighs forcefully. “I must see you. It has been too long. I will do whatever I must.”

Salvatore agrees to pick me up tomorrow at six thirty for dinner at eight thirty.