The Forbidden Ferrara

‘You do that.’ He leaned forward and kissed her. ‘I have spoken to my mother, by the way. She was mortified that you’d been through that without telling anyone. She wished very much that you had confided in her.’

Laurel shrugged awkwardly. ‘Not my forte, as you know.’ ‘I tried to explain to her but I didn’t want to talk about your past without your permission.’ He rubbed the backs of his fingers over her cheek. ‘You could confide in her. It would help her understand.’

‘She just wants you to be happy. I do understand that.’ He pulled her hard against him and wrapped his arms around her. ‘I am happy. How could I not be happy when I have you?’

His phone buzzed again and he gave an exasperated sigh and released her. ‘I miss Taormina,’ he said regretfully and she wanted to tell him that she did too but he was already walking out of the door and she knew that by the time he was in the car he would have forgotten her because no one had more focus than Cristiano.

At the moment all his attention was on sorting out the deal in Sardinia.

The most important deal to him for a long time.

‘I’m so clever.’ Delighted with herself, Dani waggled pink toenails and adjusted the brim of her hat. ‘I knew that if I got you together you wouldn’t be able to keep your hands off each other. You just can’t help yourselves. And now Cristiano is close to closing the Sardinia deal so it’s happy ever afters all round.’

Laurel sat cross-legged on the sun lounger next to her. ‘What is so important about Sardinia?’

‘It was our father’s dream.’ Dani rubbed more suncream into her legs. ‘He wanted hotels on both islands. But it’s tricky buying land for development there. Cristiano found the perfect spot, of course, because he’s a genius. And then he has this way of making people feel as if they can’t not sell to him. That’s why he has to be there to finalise the deal. He’s the one they’re selling it to. They trust him to do the righ

t thing. To develop the land in a sympathetic way that won’t ruin the environment. How was Taormina?’ ‘Beautiful.’

‘It’s such a romantic place.’ Dani admired her pink toenails. ‘It must have been like a second honeymoon for you. Any time you want to thank me for getting you two back together, just go right ahead.’

Laurel laughed. ‘You don’t give up, do you?’

‘No. And now I’m moving straight on to Plan B.’

‘Cristiano and I are back together.’ Laurel shifted into a more comfortable position. ‘We don’t need Plan B.’

‘Ah—Plan B isn’t getting back together. Plan B is about having babies.’ Dani had her face turned towards the sun, otherwise she would have seen Laurel tense. ‘Don’t you think it would be fun to be pregnant at the same time? Our children could play together. Grow up together like I did with my cousins.’

She couldn’t accuse her friend of insensitivity, Laurel thought numbly, because she’d never told her the details of what had happened. But she had to. This was the time.

‘Dani—’

‘It’s no good. I can’t keep a secret.’ Dani sat up and pushed her hat away from her face. Her eyes shone. ‘I’m pregnant. I did the test last night. Raimondo wants me to wait a few weeks to tell everyone but you’re not everyone.’

Laurel was stunned. ‘You were pregnant when you got married?’

‘No, I was not!’ Dani’s voice was an outraged squeak. ‘And keep your voice down. Do you think I want my brothers to beat Raimondo to a pulp? This is a honeymoon baby.’ She looked content and pleased with herself.

‘But you’ve only been married for two weeks.’

‘Three.’ Dani laughed. ‘You obviously weren’t wasting time looking at your watch when you were in Taormina. I’ve been married for three whole weeks.’

Laurel stared at her. Three weeks?

But—dear God, Dani was right. It had been three weeks. Which meant that—

She felt the blood drain from her face and dimly saw Dani’s concerned frown.

‘Laurie? Are you OK?’

‘It’s the heat,’ Laurel muttered. ‘I might go and lie down for a while. I don’t feel well.’

‘What do you mean, you don’t feel well?’ Dani’s face lit up. ‘Maybe you’re pregnant too. Oh, my God, that would be awesome.’

‘No! I mean—that isn’t possible.’

‘Why not? You’ve been having sex non-stop for the past three weeks. Here—’ Dani dug around in her bag and pressed a slim packet into Laurel’s hand. ‘I bought two and I don’t need this one. You take it.’