Читать книгу The Vineyards Of Calanetti - Rebecca Winters - Страница 25

Mic cursed the cruelties of fate when Lily arrived at Mancini’s a few hours after him. He had, it seemed, lost his chance. For one shining moment in time eight years ago, his path and Lily’s path had synced. But because he’d gotten hurt rather than investigate why she refused his marriage proposal, he had lost her. After the sacrifice she’d made so that he could live his dream, he could not deprive her of hers by asking her to forget university and move to Paris with him.

But it was hard to work with her, to watch her happily go through the day as if nothing was wrong when his heart was broken. So he was glad when the call came in from his aunt, telling him that her condo had sold.

Not wasting a second, he thanked Rafe for giving him something to do for the weeks that could have been long and boring. Then he walked into the dining room to find Lily.

When he called her name, she faced him with a smile.

“My aunt’s condo sold.”

Her happy smile faded. “Oh.”

He shrugged into his jacket. “I am leaving.”

“You’re leaving now?” She blinked. “I thought maybe you could come by again tonight.”

He couldn’t handle the pain of it. He especially couldn’t trust himself not to beg her to give up her dream and follow him to Paris.

“I must leave now.”

He turned and walked out of Mancini’s, his heart hurting, but proud of himself for not asking her to give up her dream for him.

He drove to the condo and packed his duffel bag. Slinging it over his shoulder, he walked to his car, got in and headed for Paris.

Lily fell to a chair in the dining room. Mila raced over. “Are you okay?”

“He’s gone.”

Mila glanced at the door. “You mean, Chef Mic?”

“Si.” Seeing the confused look on Mila’s face, Lily bounced out of her chair. She hadn’t played such a good role in the bedroom that morning for Mic, only to ruin it this afternoon by falling apart in front of her friends.

She pasted a smile on her face as she fought the sting of tears. “I am fine.”

But she wasn’t fine. Losing him the first time had killed her, but letting him go this time had a ring of finality to it. He would never be back … and even if he did come back to visit Rafe, neither of them would be so foolish as to let their heart get involved again.

Mic only got five miles before he cursed and slapped the steering wheel. He could not believe fate was so cruel to bring them together only to tear them apart.

But he also knew he could not ask her to sacrifice for him one more time. She had a life, dreams …

Hell, she had a right to her dreams. God knew, he was living his. There were no fewer than eight restaurants that wanted him. He could—and had—named his price. While she’d been stuck in Monte Calanetti, he could go anywhere he wanted—

He stopped his thoughts. He could go anywhere he wanted. Including Florence. He might not be able to ask her to give up her dream for him, but he sure could give up one little restaurant for her.

He turned his car around with a screech of tires.