Reunited with Her Italian Ex Read Online Free PDF Page A

still felt you were hers. That’s why she felt so betrayed when she saw us. No, it was me you were planning to leave. That’s why you kept hinting about something you wanted to tell me. You said it wasn’t easy, but then it’s never easy to dump someone, is it?’
    He turned very pale. ‘Isn’t it? You dumped me without any trouble.’
    â€˜Dumping you was the easiest thing I’d ever done, but that’s because you gave me cause.’
    â€˜But the way you did it—vanishing so that I could never find you. Can you imagine what I went through? It was like searching for a ghost. I nearly went mad because you denied me any chance to explain—’
    â€˜Explain what? That you were fooling around with both of us? If you’d been the man I thought you— Well, let’s leave it there. You weren’t that man and you never could be. It’s best if we remain strangers now.’
    â€˜Remain?’
he echoed sharply. But then his voice changed to wry, slightly bitter acceptance. ‘Yes, we always were strangers, weren’t we?’
    â€˜Always were, always will be. That’s a very good business arrangement.’
    â€˜And you’re a businesswoman?’
    â€˜Exactly. It’s what I choose to be.
Capisci?
’
    He nodded. ‘
Capisco.
I understand.’
    â€˜From now on, it’s all business. The past didn’t happen. It was an illusion.’
    â€˜An illusion—yes. I guessed that when you vanished into thin air. And now you’ve reappeared just as suddenly.’
    â€˜Another illusion. I’m not really here.’
    â€˜So if I look away you’ll vanish again?’
    â€˜Perhaps that’s what I ought to do.’
    â€˜No,’ he said with a hint of suppressed violence. ‘
No!
Not again. You could never understand how I— Don’t even think of it.
Capisci?
’
    â€˜
Capisco.
I understand very well.’
    â€˜Promise me that you won’t leave.’
    â€˜All right.’
    â€˜On your word of honour.’
    â€˜Look—’
    â€˜Say it. Let me know that I can trust you this time at least.’
    â€˜Trust me
this time
? As though I was the one who deceived— You’ve got a nerve.’
    â€˜He’s coming back,’ Mario said hurriedly, glancing to where Giorgio had appeared. ‘Smile.’
    She tried to look at ease but it was hard, and as soon as Giorgio reached the table she rose.
    â€˜I’m going to bed,’ she said. ‘It’s been a long day for me, with the flight.’
    â€˜You’re right; get some rest,’ Mario said. ‘We’ll all meet here tomorrow morning at nine.’
    They shook hands and she departed at once.
    Giorgio watched her go, then eyed Mario wryly.
    â€˜What’s going on with you two?’ he queried. ‘You’re on edge with each other. For a moment I really thought there’d been something between you.’
    â€˜Not a thing,’ Mario assured him. ‘And there never could be.’
    â€˜Pity. Romeo and Juliet were “star-crossed lovers”. It could have been interesting to have them promoted by another pair of star-crossed lovers. After all, if a couple is meant for each other but just can’t get it together—well, it’s not in their hands, is it? They just have to enjoy it while they can, but then accept that fate is against them.’
    â€˜Isn’t that giving in too easily?’
    â€˜It’s what Romeo and Juliet had to accept.’
    â€˜And then they died.’
    â€˜They died physically, but it doesn’t usually happen that way. Sometimes people just die inside.’
    â€˜Yes,’ Mario murmured. ‘That’s true.’
    â€˜I’ll call the other members of the group and fix a meeting. They’ll just love her. We’ve found the right person. Don’t you agree?’
    Mario nodded and spoke in an iron voice. ‘The