Total pages in book: 131
Estimated words: 126682 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 633(@200wpm)___ 507(@250wpm)___ 422(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 126682 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 633(@200wpm)___ 507(@250wpm)___ 422(@300wpm)
“What’s going on, Saverio?”
He rubs a thumb over my knuckles, the gesture meant to be soothing. “Nothing. Just relax. I want you to enjoy the evening.”
I want to protest, but Kevin pulls through the gates of Saverio’s property.
“Come with me,” Saverio says, giving my hand a squeeze when the car comes to a stop. “Livy will stay with Claire.”
As if the plan was agreed on beforehand, Livy and Dante get out of the car that followed behind us and come over.
A guard gets Saverio’s door. He climbs out of the car and takes his cane from the back before coming around to open my door. Accepting the hand he offers, I let him help me to my feet.
The evening breeze is cold. I pull my coat tighter around me.
“We’ll just be a moment,” he says to Livy, who’s wearing her favorite faux fur coat and hat over her sari.
“Don’t worry.” Livy winks. “Dante and I are right here with Claire. You go ahead.”
They’re all in on something. I know it. Maybe Saverio wants to give me a birthday gift before we go to the restaurant. We decided to take Claire with us because I wasn’t comfortable leaving her at home with a nanny I don’t know. Instead, Saverio suggested taking a nanny to the restaurant who could take care of Claire if she got fussy. He wanted me to fully enjoy the meal. We contacted a reputable agency and interviewed several nannies before deciding on an elderly lady with many years of experience that reminded me of a sweet little granny.
The nanny herself, Rosemary, comes down the steps of the porch as Saverio puts my hand on the crook of his arm and leads me to the house.
“Mrs. and Mr. De Luca,” Rosemary says in a self-assured manner, extending a hand to greet us.
She wears baby-blue slacks and a matching cardigan, looking both smart and comfortable. Her gray hair is cut into a fashionable pixie style, and her light make-up is flawless.
“I’m so sorry,” I say, shaking her hand. “I thought we were meeting at the restaurant. I hope you didn’t wait long.”
I cast a questioning look at Saverio. Was there a change of plans? Is that why we came past the house?
“Not at all.” Rosemary looks over my shoulder to where Livy and Dante stand next to the SUV. “Can I say hello to Claire?”
We introduced her to Claire during her interview, and Claire was happy to be picked up and carried on Rosemary’s hip.
“Of course,” I say. “I already packed a bag with everything Claire will need for the restaurant.” Noticing her own absence of a handbag, I add, “If you’d like to get your bag, we’ll be off soon.”
Rosemary’s smile is indulgent, adding to my suspicion that something is off.
“Sure, Mrs. De Luca,” she says. “I’ll just be a minute.”
I stare after her as she makes her way over to Livy and Dante.
“Come.” Saverio brings my attention back to him. “We better not keep them waiting.”
“What’s going on?” I ask again.
He only nods at the guard who opens the front door. The house is quiet. The dim hallway ceiling lights illuminate our way to the kitchen. He stops at the back door and presses down the handle. Maybe he got something for the backyard, a new fire pit that Livy, Nicole, and I can illegally use to grill marshmallows on our ladies’ nights.
The door swings open, revealing the dark terrace and yard, and then a trillion lights go on all at once. My heart jolts in my chest. White stringed bulbs glow along the perimeter of the property. Fairy lights are twisted around every tree and hang in twinkling curtains from the branches. The terrace is decked out in the same stringed lights that run along the edge of the garden with fairy lights wound around the pillars. Right in the middle of the blinding glow of silver lights stands a big white gazebo. A path lined by lanterns and flowers leads to the entrance.
“Saverio,” I gasp, unable to move my gaze away from the giant tent on the lawn. “What is this?”
“We better go have a look,” he says with a hint of mischief in his deep voice.
“What did you do?” I ask as he guides me over the terrace and down the path.
Huge arrangements of roses and lilies in autumn hues hang from white wrought iron posts along the path. I gape at the floral abundance, admiring the delicate beauty of the blooms and inhaling their sweet perfume.
Saverio pauses at the opening of the gazebo. He looks at me with a warm light in his blue gaze. “Ready?”
Placing a hand on my chest, I say honestly, “I’m not sure.”
He pushes back the flap with his arm, and then my heart almost stops as a horde of people shout, “Surprise!”