Page 18 of An Heir For Her Enemy

Delaney felt more than a little guilty skipping the line, but her guilt was replaced by awe when they stepped into the main room. High above, the domed ceiling was beautifully painted with intricate designs that she could have stared at for days. Windows at the top let sunlight stream in, illuminating the ornate columns and gleaming marble floors. Delaney felt like she had stepped into a movie.

She walked slowly along the center aisle, staring up at the woodwork on this part of the ceiling and stopping to admire the patterns on the marble floor below her feet. Despite the large number of people in the basilica with them, it was relatively quiet as everyone spoke in hushed voices. It felt almost magical.

As she neared the end of the first aisle, Delaney came to a row of pews. She sank into the first one and spent a while gazing up, her head back. This kind of beautiful architecture fit perfectly with the image she’d had of Europe. She felt perfectly connected to the history of this place.

Suddenly remembering that she wasn’t alone, Delaney looked around for Logan. He must be just as much in awe as she was, and perhaps this would be another moment in which they could put aside their past. After all, it would be impossible not to be moved by this place.

For a few moments, she didn’t see Logan anywhere. Perhaps he’d gone into one of the side rooms, which apparently held tombs that were also considered to be works of art. Just as she was about to go look for him, though, she spotted him. He was sitting in another pew on the other side of the basilica, engrossed in the glowing screen of his phone as he typed furiously.

Delaney rolled her eyes. How could Logan be surrounded by so much beauty yet so completely uninterested in any of it? It seemed unimaginable that whatever he was doing on his phone was more important than what they were seeing.

His disinterest in the basilica was more proof that he was just another rich, entitled jerk. The proof had come at a good time, too — Delaney had been starting to soften towards him after his willingness to show her around. No more.

Delaney spent almost an hour wandering the basilica. She looked at every tomb, read the information signs, and even turned her phone back on to snap a few pictures of particularly beautiful details. Finally, she collected Logan from where he still sat on the pew, his phone in his hand.

“Did you enjoy the basilica?” he asked Delaney as they exited.

“It was beautiful,” she said. “Truly a living work of art. And did you enjoy your phone?”

Logan raised his eyebrows. “I had to do a few urgent tasks for work.”

“I get that, but I don’t know how you could sit in such a beautiful place without seeing any of it.”

“I’ve been to the basilica before.”

“So, the first time you went, you really enjoyed it?”

Logan gave her a shifty look and Delaney had her answer.

“Would you like something to eat?” he said. It was a clunky change of topic, but Delaney followed.

“I am getting hungry.” She looked around. Across from the basilica, a maze of narrow streets led off the square. “Let’s go look for something.”

“I can ask the driver to take us.”

Delaney shook her head. “It’s an adventure. Come on. Just let the driver know we’ll be back in an hour or so.”

She led the way across the square and down the first alley. Initially, the restaurants were all filled with tourists, but after a short walk they started to find restaurants populated by Italians. Delaney picked one with sidewalk seating more or less at random and gestured for Logan to stop.

“Let’s try this place.”

“All right.” Logan pulled out a chair for Delaney, who sat, before he circled the table to his own seat. A waiter brought the menus over a few minutes later, and Delaney laughed as she saw they were written completely in Italian.

“Lunch might be a bit of a surprise.”

“I wouldn’t have it any other way.” Logan flipped through the pasta section, then pointed to a dish somewhat at random. “I’ll be having this one.”

“And I’ll have… this.” Delaney selected a random dish as well. When the waiter returned, they placed their orders by pointing and smiling, and he disappeared with the menus. “I’m excited to see what we get.”

“Me too.” Logan grinned that playful grin he’d worn on their first evening together. “What do you think of Rome so far?”

“I love it. Like I told you, I’ve always dreamed of visiting Italy, so this is an amazing experience for me.”

“You’ll have to see some other cities next time, too. I love Milan and Venice. And Lake Como is truly spectacular.”

Delaney tugged at the corner of her napkin. “It seems like you’ve traveled in Italy a lot.”

“A bit. I brought my parents here for their anniversary last year and we saw a lot of nice sights.”

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