When what he searched for didn’t appear, Maceo knew why. Staring into the face of the woman who held his heart, he felt joy overflow within him.
‘Nothing, amore mio. I search for nothing. Because everything I want is right here in my arms.’
Tears filmed her eyes. ‘I love you, Maceo. So much.’
Gently, he brushed her tears away. ‘Ti amo anch’io, il mio bellisimmo arcobaleno.’
Her smile widened. ‘I love it when you call me that.’
‘Then you should come with me back to Italy. There’s a wonderful surprise waiting for you.’
The new Arcobaleno range of specially flavoured chocolates shaped like rainbows had been her idea. Maceo intended it to be one of many projects he undertook with her.
‘I will follow you anywhere, my love.’
‘That’s good to hear. Because right now I would very much love you to come with me to the bedroom. I have six weeks to make up for, plus a lifetime.’
‘I will—right after you show me that list.’
He handed it over, watched her face as she read it, then raised her beautiful face to his.
‘Can we start from the beginning and work our way through it?’ she asked.
A lump clogged his throat. ‘As long as I get to shower you with love, live each day with you and die in your arms, you have a deal.’
Her smile filled his heart. ‘I accept.’
And in that moment Maceo swore that he would never cause her to be without that smile.
* * *