“Lovely!” His face took on a sheepish expression. “I’m afraid I don’t know her. Corrine and Zio Alex’s romance was a whirlwind, and I’ve been so wrapped up with my work.” Wes was bewildered when the man’s expression changed yet again. “I met my muse.” He kissed his fingers in appreciation. “And it has changedeverything!”
“Your muse?” Wes asked. His pulse picked up. How often did people use that word? Melody had referred to herself as a young designer’s muse.
“My fiancée,” the man said, oblivious to Wes’s frowning dismay. Looking at the rapidly boiling water, he pushed the pasta into the pot. “I met her by chance only weeks ago, but it was love at first sight. She was on the last day of a photo shoot, and it was kismet I stopped by. There was a question about the direction it was going, and my uncle was busy.” He waved his hand. “Fate.”
“You’re Luca?”
The man looked back over his shoulder, surprised by Wes’s words, but the sound of clicking heels approaching from the stone floor of the hallway drew both of their attentions.
Melody appeared in the arched doorway, as beautiful as she had always been. In fact, if he were being honest, maybe even more beautiful because, in the moment before she noticed Wes standing there, her face looked relaxed—content. Wes wasn’t sure he’d ever seen that expression on Melody’s face before.
“Wes?” There was no disguising the horror on Melody’s face, and Luca’s previously open expression turned alert.
“What are you doing here? How did you find out where I was?”
Luca looked from her to Wes, his eyes guarded.
“Hey, Mel.”
“This istheWes?” Luca stepped forward, extending his hand to Wes.
Melody ignored her fiancée, her hands going to her hips. “What the hell, Wes? I didn’t know you were going to be here!”
“Surprise?” Melody narrowed her eyes, and Wes relented. “I’m here as a guest, well the plus one anyway.”
“Uh-huh. Because you have so many friends in the fashion industry.” Wes was taken aback. He’d expected her to be surprised, but she seemed angry. Wes wasn’t here to cause a problem for her, he only wanted to talk.
“He is here with Corinne’s daughter,” Luca said.
“Corinne’s daughter? The infamous Bloom socialite?” Melody’s eyes widened.
“Hey, Melody, it’s been a long time,” Cara said, sliding past the couple and immediately walking to Wes’s side.
Melody’s face creased in confusion as she stared at Cara, as if she couldn’t quite place her. Cara’s mouth flattened. “Cara… you rented me the room in your house, well Wes’s house, but you know what I mean.”
Melody’s face cleared. “Oh, of course!” She had the grace to look embarrassed. “You’re so out of place here, I didn’t make the connection.”
Cara pointed at the stove. “I think your pasta needs you.”
Luca let out an exclamation and then cursed when he grabbed the hot handle.
“You’ve all met each other, wonderful!” Alessandro and Corinne joined them, adding to the chaos.
“Corinne, you look so beautiful, and Zio Alex, thank you so much for hosting us here at the villa,” Melody simpered. “We are so happy for you, and it means so much to Luca to be included.”
“Darling, you look nice.” Corinne ignored Melody. Cara had put on casual loungewear after her shower. It was obvious Corinne wanted to say something more but bit her tongue. She settled on, “You’ll be so comfortable tonight.”
“This isn’t what I’m wearing tonight,” Cara said with a smile. “I just came to find where Wes had disappeared to, and to let him know the shower was free.”
Melody’s mouth hung open. “You’reCaralina Bloom?”
“My whole life.” Cara’s voice was a shade short of rude.
“But!” Melody’s forehead wrinkled. “She’s the makeup girl.”
“Wes, do you want to shower before the party?” Cara asked.
Wes cast a look at Melody, but she was still staring dumbfounded at Cara. “Yeah, I made you a snack.” He offered the plate and was rewarded with a soft smile.
