‘We collect them,’ she explained. ‘Any time we go out for the day, this is the souvenir we buy. This or a keyring. It’s a tradition.’
‘I was wondering...’
His voic
e trailed off and she looked at him in question, hearing the uncharacteristic diffidence in his tone.
‘I’d like to get Jodie something too,’ he said. ‘A thank-you for lending you to me.’
The words were imbued with too much meaning and they sent a shiver down her spine.
‘Maybe this?’ He’d picked up a medium-sized teddy bear wearing a T-shirt saying I love Milan on it.
‘That’s perfect.’ As she looked at him holding the bear there went her heart again, hip-hopping and pulling its strings at the same time. ‘She’ll love it.’
A sudden memory hit her of a similar teddy bear, a different slogan. Imo holding it in the hospital, clutching it like a talisman.
Sarah shook her head to displace the memory, aware of Ben’s sudden sharp glance at her.
‘All done with the shopping?’ he asked. ‘Then I have the perfect place to eat.’
CHAPTER NINE
‘WHERE ARE WE GOING?’ she asked.
He smiled. ‘Pizza,’ he said. ‘The best pizza in Milan, apparently.’
‘That’s perfect.’
Carefully she folded away the wave of sadness, sensing he was aware of it, and she smiled up at him, touched by his innate understanding that she didn’t want another fancy meal, that she craved something more ordinary.
Arriving at the restaurant, he stood back to allow her to enter first. She could feel the nape of her neck tingle at his closeness, and the small of her back craved his touch.
Once inside, she drew in a breath. The interior was basic, raw and rough, with high ceilings and tables of unvarnished wood. High bar stools stood at the entrance and the walls were almost empty of decoration. The whole look was a kind of post-industrial chic, with low lighting.
‘I love it,’ she said.
‘Pizza and cocktails,’ he replied. ‘I’ve never been here before but it seemed right.’
For a second she paused. ‘Right because I’m not one of your highfalutin dates?’
His face fell for a second, and she grinned at him and instinctively put a hand out to cover his arm. ‘I’m teasing you. I love it. It’s perfect—and, remember, I’m not one of your highfalutin dates.’
‘Good.’
His smile warmed her, as did the feel of muscle under her fingertips.
They were soon seated and she stared at the cocktail list, eventually making a selection, and then turned her attention to the pizza menu. Finally she looked across at him and saw an amused look on his face.
‘I have never seen anyone take so long to come to a decision.’
‘This is important.’ Hearing the vehemence in her own voice, she smiled. ‘There is nothing worse than picking something and then wishing you’d chosen something else.’
The waiter, who must have been discreetly watching, approached and took their order. She turned back to Ben and once again felt a sense of wonder that she was here, with this man, this man who, despite the fact they had agreed to forego attraction, still wanted to spend time with her. The idea dizzied her.
‘I want to say thank you.’
‘What for?’