Page 76 of Ciao, Amore
Daniela was the one who squared her shoulders and came to him. She held out her hand, and he took it after a moment. When she leaned in close, she was the one who softly told him, “Thank you. For everything.”
And then she kissed his cheek, and he was overwhelmed by the softness of her lips on his face, and God, that lavender sweetness infiltrating his body. He was pretty sure he was going to hate that scent from now on.
Dani’s dark eyes begged him to say something, anything. Pleaded with him to be the one who bent, who forgave every harsh thing that had been said. He wanted that too, with his whole heart. He wanted to open his arms to her and reassure her that they would be together, that they were going to be okay.
But if she didn’t trust him enough, if there wasn’t faith enough, this miracle was already over.
Nearly choking on the words, he stood there, staring into those eyes. “I hope you find whatever you’re looking for. Take care, Daniela.”
There was no longer a pretense that this was a time-out or a reset. The expression on her face at his words, her acceptance that this was truly over, would haunt him the rest of his life.
“Ciao, amore,” she said.
Hearing goodbye from her, in any language, was devastating.
“Alright. It’s time, gentlemen,” Angelo announced.
That was the signal for the final photo of the siblings. For them, this was the true official close of the annual trip, no flowery speeches, fine linen, or wine bottles emblazoned with their name and family crest. It was the Donahue men, together. Nico, even being distracted by the quiet loss of the love of his life, was acutely aware that another moment like this with all his brothers might not come again.
“Dani, will you take the picture?” Angelo asked. “Pop’s hands always shake and mess it up.”
“I don’t mess up the pictures, get outta here,” Patrick dismissed him with a hand wave.
Grinning despite the wetness of her eyes, Dani plucked Angelo’s phone out of his hand and stood back, waiting while the four of them got into their stances. Shoulders back, chins lifted, chests out. Middle fingers up.
“Again, the fingers,” Merelys exclaimed.
Dani pointed the phone at them and waited till she had the perfect view of all four brothers. She pressed the center button, saying, “Let me take a few, just in case.”
Nico gazed at her, taking his last long look at her beautiful face. The vision of her, his tall and lovely goddess, blurred all at once. The distance between anguish and anger shortened, and they became one. Angelo stepped forward and took his phone, hugging her, then turned to Nico.
Clapping him on the back, Angelo murmured, “Let’s go home, bro.” Nico stood there, his entire body burning, his gaze trained on her sad face, until Angelo forced him to move. “Let’s go, Nico.”
Nico managed to turn away, dropping his hand to his bag to haul it onto his shoulder. Everything after that was a blur. He wasn’t sure how he made it to the gate or how he’d boarded the plane. There was a vague awareness of the placement of luggage, announcements, and the safety talk. When he looked out the window as the plane took off, the brown-and-green country and the blue sea all dropped away.
Angelo came to sit next to him in the empty seat that should have been Daniela’s. Nico closed his eyes and laid his head back.
“Aw, man. I know you’re gonna miss her, but it’s alright. A month will go by like nothing, and you’ll be right back, picking up where you left off. You’re gonna be alright, bro,” Angelo said, squeezing Nico’s shoulder.
Nico nodded; it was all he could do to acknowledge his brother’s care and concern, even if Angelo didn’t know that their separation was going to last a lot longer than one month. But what he needed most was quiet. Angelo gave him that, keeping the others away until the plane touched down at JFK.
Home.
29
THE PLAN OF NO PLAN
DANI
Three months later
A Christmas weddingcelebration in a candlelit, fairy-tale European mansion. Absolutely nothing could be dreamier.
The reception was in full swing in the ballroom. Taking a much-needed break from dancing, Dani sat and admired the tasteful, elegant decor in golden hues, the floral place settings, and the crystal chandeliers that spangled the room with beautiful miniature rainbows. The champagne was flowing, and she was on glass two by then. Or was it three?
Terri danced by in her husband’s arms and leaned down to plant a sloppy kiss on her cheek.
“You’re drunk, Terri. Go back to the hotel,” Dani said with fond disgust.
