Page 39 of A Touch of Fate

“Yes, I went to an indoor swimming pool once a week when I still lived in Indianapolis. I hope I can find a good place to swim here.”

“I have a small surprise.” I led Emma through the dining area followed by the vast living area with a wood fireplace to thewide double doors on the back of the mansion overlooking the sprawling backyard.

I opened those doors, and Emma’s eyes widened in utter shock as they took in the big swimming pool a few steps below the terrace. A ramp had been installed so Emma could easily move down to that level.

“That isn’t a small surprise. It’s huge!” she said. She reached for my hand and squeezed, her eyes emotional. “For being such a bad deal, you’re doing lots of thoughtful things. It’s misleading.”

I cleared my throat. “It’s nothing.”

She shook her head and released me, then moved down the ramp to take a closer look at the pool. “I wish I could take a dip right away.”

“It’s still two hours before our families arrive. Plenty of time.”

“Not if I have to shower, then style my hair afterward and put on fresh makeup.”

I made a clueless face. Emma giggled and allowed her eyes to take in the rest of the garden: an immaculate lawn, a few perfectly round bushes, a paved path, and a few flower beds with white flowers.

“I can’t wait to have a garden being lived in, played in. This looks like an exhibition garden.”

For a moment, longing reflected on Emma’s face, but then she turned to me with a smile. “Can you show me the rest? Even the kitchen?”

I nodded and led her back inside. We ended our tour in the kitchen, where Azzurra was busy cooking up a feast for lunch. I took a deep breath, taking in the delicious scents. Emma did the same and let out a sigh. “That smells delicious. What is it?”

Azzurra pointed at the pots. “Asprimi, tortelli al ragú will be served.” Emma wheeled closer to the stove.

“What’s the filling?”

On the counter, freshly made tortellini were lined up. “Ricotta and spinach.”

“Could I try the meat sauce?”

“Of course!” Azzurra dipped a spoon into the sauce and handed it to Emma, who pushed it into her mouth and licked it clean, sending images of a very different nature through my head. She moaned, and the images became even more explicit.

“This is delicious!”

Azzurra beamed and opened the oven. “Secondi will be cinghiale alla cacciatore.”

“My father loves wild boar stew,” I said.

“I do too,” Emma said delightedly.

“What about you, Mr. Mione?”

“Samuel,” I corrected as I’d done a few times before. “I love it too but not with the same childhood fervor as my father.”

Emma wheeled past Azzurra toward a chocolate cake. “Torta al cioccolato!”

Her excited expression made me laugh. “I assume you like chocolate?”

“I love chocolate. In any shape and form.”

I made a mental note to add chocolate truffles to the list of gifts Emma would receive—not just for special days but also when I messed up.

The lunch with our families was relaxed. Even Danilo and Samuel managed civilized conversation throughout the entire meal. Of course, Danilo kept throwing me searching looks. The moment we were alone, he would definitely inquire whether Samuel was treating me right.

I hadn’t eaten as much of the first two courses as I could have because I wanted to leave some room for the dessert.

When Azzurra served the cake, I could barely restrain myself. Luckily, she had more manners than me and served our guests first. Samuel sent me a knowing look, and I flushed.

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