No—that wasn’t what I meant at all.
When we got to the pub where Lily had taken me my first night in London, Mylos found a table and then sat across from me. After the barmaid took our order, he leaned forward and rested his forearms on the surface. “Hi, Pia.”
I smiled. “Hi, Mylos.”
“Have I told you how much I love the way you say my name?”
I felt my cheeks flush, and I looked down. He reached over and put his hand on mine.
“I’m so glad you’re here.”
“Me too.”
“How long are you?”
I sighed. “I’m leaving in the morning.”
“Tomorrow?”
I nodded.
“Can’t you stay a while longer? I mean, a couple of days?”
“I can’t.” I barely had time to get home and pack before I needed to leave for Siena. While it wasn’t far, I was living on campus and had to check into the dorms before my classes started.
“Right. It was unfair of me to ask.”
“What about you? Aren’t you starting your training soon?”
“I report in three days.” He ran one hand through his hair. “God, I bloody hate that we wasted so much time.” He squeezed my hand. “So, you didn’t say why exactly you have to get back.”
“I’m starting at the university.”
“What? That’s brilliant.”
I smiled. It was something I’d admitted to him in one of my letters. It wasn’t expected that I’d go to college, but I really wanted to. If it weren’t for Mylos convincing me I should, I might not have been brave enough to bring it up to my father. As it was, it had taken some persuasion on my part, particularly when I told him I wanted to study business so I could run the winery someday.
“I’m really happy for you, Pia.”
“If it weren’t for you…”
“Nah, you would’ve done it anyway. How did the conversation go with your father, by the way?”
I laughed. “He thought I was pazza—crazy. But he finally gave in. My mamma helped talk him into letting me go. I’m sure there’s a part of him that hopes I’ll drop out and get married.” I laughed. “But not to Paolo.” Actually, if I did, it would make my father very happy, but I wouldn’t tell Mylos that.
“I’m so proud of you.” He smiled, and it was so beautiful, it made my heart hurt.
“I’m proud of you too.”
We talked more as we shared each other’s food. Unlike the other time I’d been at this pub, I stopped drinking after one pint. When I told him about spending an evening here with Lily and her friends, he laughed.
“I should’ve known you’d get on well.”
“I was going to leave, that first day, but she convinced me to stay.”
“Thank God,” he murmured, stroking the back of my hand with his thumb. “I want to kiss you again.”
“I’d like that.”