Unbuckling, I watch their quick exchange. Sly listens as the man speaks, nodding along, and then they part ways.
Opening my car door, Sly closes the distance and extends his hand for me to take as I climb down.
“What would you like to see first? The castle? Or the grounds?” He offers his arm like a gentleman.
Looping my arm through his, I decide on the grounds and tell him such.
The air is cool, but any signs of rain have dissipated, leaving bright blue skies and fluffy white clouds in their wake.
With my free hand, I pull the edges of my peacoat, holding them together as we stroll.
Our conversation begins as comfortable pleasantries before we stray into everything from our childhoods to our ambitions and hopes for the future. The only topic we avoid is our families, which I know will be something to discuss later, but for now, I’d rather stay in this happy bubble with him.
When we reach a bench along the outskirts of where the greenhouse is, we sit beneath the shade of a line of large oak trees. The clouds have begun to gray again, multiplying in size.
“My head and my heart are at war, piccola ladra. How can this work when we must remain a secret?” Sly’s voice is solemn as he asks, and it makes my heart sink a little.
His question is valid, though, and I take a moment to think before responding—my answer as weak as I feel.
“It won’t be easy.”
“No, it will not.” He’s quiet for several long seconds, as am I. Together we admire the architecture of the greenhouse, momentarily avoiding the rest of the conversation that is obviously inevitable.
“Secrecy is not a big enough reason for menotto pursue you, Vincenza. I cannot go against what my very soul is begging for, no matter the repercussions.”
Conflicting emotions rush through me, and I can’t say I disagree. Iwanthim to pursue me. Being around him feels like coming home, which is insane because we hardly know each other. But I know I’m comfortable around him, and that’s more than I can say I’ve ever felt around other men.
Still, there’s my family to think about. My parents, particularly Father. The disrespect and the shame this would bring him—knowing my attraction to a Lucchetti. Howwould he react if I were to be romantically involved with a Lucchetti, even more so than I already am?
Then there’s my brother to think about, and whatever he and August are planning—if their threats are even credible.
But do I not even try? Do I walk away from this without seeing if it could be something real?
Because isn’t that what fairytales and romance novels have taught us? That true love is worth fighting for?
Not that I love Sly—of course I don’t—I practically just met the man. But how am I supposed to know if we have something worth fighting for if I don’t allow myself totry?
“We keep this between us,” I decide. “No one has to know, and it’s nobody’s business, anyway. We spend time together in private, and when we want to escape, we’ll just have to find places to visit outside of the city. Like today. This is perfect.”
“I cannot ask you to sneak around with me. You deserve to be wined and dined and taken to beautiful places. Not hidden behind closed doors.”
“You’re not asking me to sneak around with you, Sly,” I tell him, grabbing his hand in mine. “I’mtellingyou I want to. Maybe I’m greedy. Our families have put each other through hell and there’s a chance this will end badly, but I’m not sure if we were to part ways right now, I could just go and live my life knowing we weren’t willing to take a leap of faith.”
I can see the hesitancy between his eyes again—the guarded expression that tells me he’s trying to do what’s best.
The look written across his features seizes my chest, and suddenly I’m terrified he’s going to end things before they begin.
I continue, knowing this could easily be the only opportunity I have to say my piece. All he’d have to do is say he couldn’t do this, and we’d end up with an awkward car ride home. “For so long, I’ve had a feeling inside of me. An empty void I couldn’t explain. I think you could fill it, Sly. Because already it doesn’t feel as empty.”
While my heart roars behind my rib cage, I watch as his gaze softens, and for a moment, I wonder if he’s going to kiss me or if he’s thinking of ways to let me down easy.
How did I let myself get to this point? Two weeks ago, I was running from his apartment after telling him wecouldn’tlet ourselves go there. And now, I’m running full speed down the railroad tracks as the train speeds toward me.
Without warning, the sky above us opens up, the rain falling down quickly and violently. We both leap from the bench, and Sly laces his fingers through mine, setting off at a light jog, pulling me toward the greenhouse.
Within seconds, my peacoat is soaked through, the wool absorbing the water as we run. Droplets cling to our hair and skin as Sly opens the door and we rushinside, instantly hit with the warm, humid air inside of the greenhouse.
The sound of pounding rain amplifies through the clear glass roof as I shrug off my jacket, draping it over a wooden counter near the door.
