Swept Away by the Venetian Millionaire

“She’s only here in Venice for a few days. What would be the harm in accompanying her?”

“If you’re that worried about her lack of company on this trip, you should have gone with her yourself.”

His cousin gave a sardonic laugh. “And try to explain to Lynetta why I’m spending the day with an unattached American tourist? Dio mio.” He physically shuddered at that possibility.

Leo came to stand right in front of Vito, casting his shadow on the article he was pretending to read. “Do you seriously think we’re not going to talk about this?”

“About what?”

“About the fact that you haven’t so much as picked up a pencil in several months let alone handled any clay. Up until a day ago, that is. When you sketched that young woman.”

“So?”

Leo blinked. “So your sudden inspiration appears to have everything to do with the lady you just let walk out of here.”

“She fell asleep in the back room. I simply felt a desire to capture her features. It isn’t the grand breakthrough you’re making it appear to be.”

“Isn’t it?”

“Not to me.”

“That’s mind-boggling. You come here every day simply to remind yourself of the life you used to lead, the passion you used to have. Someone may have finally revived that passion in some small way and you don’t find it significant at all.”

Vito slammed his hand down on the counter. “It’s a simple sketch, Leo. Stop trying to turn it into some type of milestone. I’ll know when or even if I’ll be ready to create again. Trust me, this isn’t the time.”

“Not if you don’t let it be. It’s been three years, Vito. Surely that’s enough time to at least consider moving forward.”

“Family or not, I wish you’d remember what is and is not your place to try and lecture me about, Leo.”

Leo’s lips tightened as his eyes clouded with disappointment. “And I wish you’d remember that you were not the one who drove Marina’s car over the rock cliff that day.” With those words, Leo walked to the exit and shut the glass door none too softly behind him.

Vito bit out a curse. Leo was being downright belligerent. What business was it of his if Maya would be touring the basilica and palazzo on her own?

An exclusive guided tour for two. Only now the guide will have to settle for one. Her words replayed in his mind.

And what kind of guide would she have, he wondered. No doubt a distracted University of Venice design student who simply wanted the extra cash and was willing the day to be over soon. A random guide wouldn’t be able to help Maya fully appreciate the historic art and architecture of the cathedral. He’d no doubt go on and on about lines and angles and historical facts that anyone could look up online or in a textbook. Such a shame and a waste of time for everyone involved.

There was also something else he didn’t want to think about. After the soulless tour, she’d be eating dinner by herself.

Vito gave his head a brisk shake. What did it matter to him? Again, it was absolutely no concern of his. He’d spent enough mental energy on Maya Talbot as it was. He already had too little to spare.

* * *

After buying an inexpensive phone, she was down to her last few euros. Thank heavens she’d left an emergency stash in her hotel room before she’d ventured out the other day. Her bank was in the process of delivering new credit and debit cards; she could only hope they arrived at her Venice hotel before she moved on to the next destination.

Now that she’d pulled herself together and had some time to think, she’d decided to continue with her European tour. The conversation with Vito and his cousin earlier in the studio had unexpectedly settled it for her. She might be alone, but she was going to try hard not to be lonely. After all, hadn’t she decided back in Boston that part of her new attitude about life was to be more carefree? To worry less and do more?

Her fall had simply been a mishap, a bump in the road.

Maya cursed once again her monumental decision to drink so much wine before her first-ever gondola ride. But if it hadn’t been for that decision, she would never have met Vito. Her heart gave a little tug in her chest as she thought of him. No doubt she’d seen the last of the man. A man she would never forget. Maya would have to chalk their meeting up to just one more memorable experience on this trip. A teaser of what her life might have been like if she’d been born under a different sky.