L'amore: The Luminara Series (53 page)

I can’t stay mad at him. “No, I just don’t want to feel pressured into it by you and your entire family, can you understand that? This isn’t a small decision. It’s life changing and it needs to be when the time is right.”

“Yes, of course. I was an asshole earlier and should never have spoken to you like that. You tell me when you are ready. I will wait and respect your wishes because you are my light and I never want to abuse your trust or control you.” I feel so relieved we have had the chance to speak about this and clear the air.

He means it too. Although we rarely exchange heated words, we both seem to find a way to forgive and forget and make it work after explaining and reasoning.

“Thank you. I am so glad you understand and we sorted this out. Lucca, I do love the gifts, thank you. How did you manage this? I can’t get my head around all this. You must have super powers,” I say, staring at everything on the floor.

“Suzanne helped me. That woman needs a raise. I especially liked the lingerie and cannot wait to rip those off you.” His sexy rasp is back.

He’s unbelievable, but I agree. I’m excited about him doing that also, feeling a tingling of excitement in my core just thinking about it.

“How did you manage the writing on the paper?” I ask curiously because it’s definitely his writing.

“You inspired me with your note on the makeshift wrapping paper. I found the pen last night when I packed, but I did not want to tell you. I left early on purpose before my flight so I could go into the office and write on the poster paper and cards with the fountain pen, as I wanted to personalise it.

“How did you acquire the blue diamond earrings?” There’s no way Suzanne picked these, because they match my engagement ring.

“I brought them back from Florence. There are only five of this particular set in the world, and they are very valuable. I bought them the same time I got your engagement ring. After you mentioned the colour blue, I thought now was the time. I was going to wait, but being away from you is driving me crazy, and I wanted me to still be with you somehow.”

“I just don’t know what to say.” I stutter with amazement.

“Thank me with your lips when I get home. I cannot wait to see you wear the earrings. How is your ankle? Marco said you looked unwell when you came out the clinic?”

“It’s fine. I was just a little dizzy but was good as new after my lunch.” Said ankle is actually okay, not too bad at all until I put pressure on it or move it, but I’ll omit that little detail.

“Baby, I need to go back into my meeting. I will call you later on tonight. Keep your earrings in the safe when you are not wearing them. I love you, dolcezza.”

After transporting all the gifts upstairs into the suite, I place my original earrings in the safe with my other jewellery and keep the blue diamonds in.

Jessica arrives just as Rose is serving dinner. She admires my earrings and I give her a quick tour. Since it’s a lovely evening, we sit outside on the pergola. We enjoy a starter of asparagus and stilton soup then chicken and mushrooms in a white wine sauce, crispy garlic-rosemary potatoes, and various dressed greens, parsnips, carrots, and squash. We finish our meal with a slice of Victoria sponge cake and tea that Rose prepared this afternoon. Marco joins us for his meal but then pardons himself to work in Lucca’s study.

Mr. Carlin is in heaven. We won’t be able to get him home at this rate, and I see Rose has made a little extra effort for him.

I smile watching him relax and enjoy himself. Rose has been very attentive. I think she feels sorry for him as he’s on his own after losing Eleanor.

Jess and I clean up and load the dishwasher to allow Peter and Mr. Carlin to continue their game of chess with their dram of whiskey. Doris nearly knocks Mr. Carlin off his chair she is so excited to see him. He shoos her away impatiently with his walking stick and pretends he has no interest in her, but I did notice him slipping her some potatoes when he thought no one was paying attention. That man is too stubborn for his own good.

He gives me the run down regarding the home help, and after some truffles and a dram of whiskey with Peter, I catch him yawning so Marco obliges by running him home. I text Hazel and ask her to go in and ensure he doesn’t put that blooming heating on again.

I feel compelled to apologise to Marco for my temper earlier before he leaves, but he smiles and reassures me I have nothing to apologise for.

Bidding Rose and Peter good night, Jess and I put our pyjamas on and cuddle on the sofa for a long overdue chat, a DBB, but on the sofa instead of the usual bed. I haven’t had the chance to speak to Jess since my disastrous night turning up at her house after finding an intruder in our bed. I assure her everything is okay, that Lucca took care of the situation and we talked about it.

I give her the tour of the rest of the house and dressing room and show her the gifts I received today. She rubs my arm and hugs me, saying she is absolutely delighted I have found happiness and security and that she wants nothing more for me. Jess says she knows Lucca loves me and will take exceptional care of me. I believe her sincerity because she’s honest and very caring.

After locking up and bringing Doris in, Lucca calls to check in on me. We talk for almost forty minutes. He’s leaving London early tomorrow for his flight to Olbia, Sardinia, so he’s advised he’ll call when he can. I refrain from telling him I’m going into my clinic at the club tomorrow because I know he’ll object, especially after he stressed I should be recovering still before going back to work.

When I return upstairs, Jess is sound asleep in my bed. I’m comforted knowing she’s here. Like old times.

Men in Black

Jess is leaving early for work after some croissants, fruit, and coffee. She is driving to Newcastle today for a sales conference. In the fridge, I find a packed lunch in a brown paper bag for her with a post it note.

For your trip, Jessica. Enjoy.

It could only be Rose.

God bless her. She truly is remarkable. She must have come in early to prepare it and has left some sweet niceties on the work top, which I shove into Jess’s handbag. After an early breakfast, Jess promises me she will be back at 6:00 p.m. sharp Wednesday evening. All I tell her is to bring her swimsuit, deliberately not divulging the details of Lucca’s treat wanting to keep it a surprise for all of them.

After a hot shower, I’m amazed that my ankle feels less swollen and tender today. Dressing, I opt for pleated, above the knee, black chiffon skirt and black fine knit tank top and wear black ballet flats since I’m going into the clinic today. I throw my hair in an undone bun, apply minimum makeup, and then walk Doris. I call a taxi to pick me up because I’m not having Marco drop me off in a limo at the club. That would raise eyebrows and the gossip is most likely circulating about Lucca and me already.

It seems like forever since I have been in my physiotherapy clinic. Walking past reception, I have an unnerving feeling everyone is watching me, their eyes are following my every move. Some people I know, some I don’t, and it makes me restless. I don’t recall them watching me like this before.

There is only one explanation – Lucca.

They’ve heard we’re engaged, and the women are most likely very curious about what’s going on, or envious as I’ve claimed their Italian god as my own. I carry on past the bar area with my focus straight ahead to the wooden doors, avoiding all eye contact.

As it’s summer and the kids are off school, the racket club and various other sports’ clubs are bustling with families. It’s packed today, and I feel almost claustrophobic. I arrive at the clinic upstairs thirty minutes later after meeting absolutely everyone with nothing short of a million questions.

Word travels fast around a club like this, and I’m sure I’m not flavour of the month.

Mark and Jane are waiting on me in the clinic. They both congratulate me with a huge hug. I can’t believe how much Jane’s baby bump has grown since I last saw her. It’s amazing. She looks like she’s glowing and flourishing with her pregnancy.

Her busy green and purple flower power tunic complements her unruly, fiery hair, and I see the toes of her biker boots from under her maxi gypsy style skirt. Some things never change. I love that she stays true to herself.

I keep my phone off to give Mark the courtesy of my full attention during his debrief as we have so much to cover. I don’t mention Lucca’s proposition about sourcing and funding us our own practice, because I’d rather wait until it’s been further discussed and possible first.

Having missed my independence of working, I’m eager to get my teeth back into it. Mark has a look at my wrist and my ankle, spending some time manipulating the areas which does help considerably. I’m thankful I still take the heavy duty painkillers for my wrist, as it’s also serving the ankle pain.

We have lunch in the bar area. Rena the chef makes me a lovely prawn sandwich and small minestrone soup. Jane shows me her baby picture scan and tells me all about her plans for the nursery. Mark says that the membership client base has increased dramatically, and they have all asked for appointments with me personally, so I have a massive waiting list.

A waiting list?

That’s strange because Mark and Jane both are very competent and highly regarded, and if their pain and injuries were causing grief, then surely they would want to be taken as soon as possible. His theory is that they have found out about my relationship with Lucca and want to get to know the woman who has finally stolen his heart. I shuffle around, feeling slightly uncomfortable with that thought, but he has a point. He also adds that the majority of these clients are female, so it does add up.

I expected this to be difficult as Lucca owns the club, and it’s inevitable I will experience challenges because of this and his history with women, I just didn’t expect my personal space to be invaded by a club full of desperate cougar wives all after my man.

Hazel runs by and stops when she sees us. “Jane, you look amazing, honey. I love your tunic! Is it new?” She smiles and winks at me.

“Shut up, Hazel. Stop being sarcastic. It’s actually maternity wear,” Jane bites back.

“Oh, I can see that.” Hazel giggles.

Mark stifles a laugh at Hazel’s mockery. Rolling my eyes, I ignore their tete-a-tete and smile apologetically at Jane then warn Hazel with my eyes to be nice.

“Skip, make sure you’re at my house tomorrow for 6:00 p.m. Lucca has arranged cover for your classes.”

“Excellent, I’ll stay over then. I need to dash, I’m late for my class. Addio amici. ” I watch as she runs up the stairs.

We are gathering ourselves to return to the clinic when the club’s temporary manager interrupts us. "Excuse me, Miss Robertson. I have Mr. Caruso on the phone for you in the office, and he would like to speak with you. This way please.”

I follow him into his office and realise I’ve had my phone off all this time. He’s probably been trying to get me, but how does he even know I’m here?

Stalker.

“I’ll give you some privacy.” The manager closes the door behind me.

“Hi, honey, how did you know I’m here?”

“I own the club, Doc. Peter said you left in a taxi, why? And why have you turned your phone off? I have been trying to call you. Why are you back at work? I told you not to go back yet. You are not in a position to be practicing, and I am not comfortable with it. I want you home.”

I press my lips together in a firm line and keep silent, processing his irrational questions. He told me yesterday he wouldn’t try to control me, yet here he is being domineering again, and I don’t like his tone.

“Lexi, talk to me,” he demands.

Irrational bloody pest.

“I’m here because I work here and have a lot to catch up on. I took a taxi because I don’t want to be driven to the club in a limo or bother Peter. I have my phone off because we were having a meeting, and I’ll decide when I’m good and ready to be back at work. Now is there anything else you want to scold me about, because I don’t appreciate you hounding me. You said you wouldn’t control me, yet here you are suffocating me again,” I bark.