Free Cherished: Love in London Series 2 by Demelza Watts

began serving herself some tea.
    “Dio Mio, Amber. It’s so obvious. Three words. You’re in love.”

9
    A mber nearly choked on her tea. Coughing, she placed her cup back on the saucer.
    “Mia! What are you talking about? That’s nonsense.”
    Mia sat back in her chair, grinning. Shaking her head, she laughed at Amber’s obvious discomfort and patted her hand lightly. “Don’t worry, Amber, your secret is safe with me.” She winked and resumed drinking her coffee.
    Amber was stunned. How on earth did she look like a woman in love? Surely she looked like a woman in misery. Mia must be messing with her. She decided to change the subject.
    “So. Gino, huh?”
    Mia’s smile faded and eyes clouded over. “Yes, Gino.” She sighed. I’m surprised he came last night. I didn’t think he would.”
    “Did you get a chance to talk to him? Didn’t he say he wanted some time with you?”
    Mia gently bit her lower lip while she stared into her coffee. Then she looked up, still frowning. “No, we didn’t get a chance to talk. It was so busy, I was pulled in every direction, that I just didn’t get a moment. And then when I thought it was quietening down, I looked for him but he was gone.”
    “Like as in back to London?”
    Mia shrugged her shoulders. “I don’t know. I have no idea — I’m not sure if he is here for a few days or if he just literally came for the party and is on his way back to London.”
    “Oh hon, how frustrating. When are you back in London? Perhaps you will have a chance to catch up with him next week or something?”
    “Si, I guess. I’m staying here for a few more days to discuss my new samples.” She flashed Amber a dazzling smile. “Thanks to you modelling my latest design, I already have a stack of pre-orders.”
    “That’s great, Mia! But you’re dresses are beautiful so I’m truly not surprised. I’m sure this collection will be a huge hit.”
    The girls chatted for a little while longer and Amber was grateful that Mia tactfully did not bring Nico back into the conversation. Just thinking about him and the things they did together last night, had her stomach tingling and caused a deep heat to spread through her. Shaking her errant thoughts, she forced herself to concentrate on what Mia was saying.
----
    A fter a drawn out goodbye , Amber and Mia both knew that in each other, they had inherited a friend for life. They made plans to catch up in London as soon as Mia was back and Amber couldn’t wait to introduce her to her friends.
    Following her goodbye with Annalisa and Gianmarco She went back to her room to gather her things. She smiled as she thought of them, extracting a promise from her to return as soon as possible. Guilt flooded through Amber at deceiving this wonderful couple, but she simply bit her lip and nodded. Unexpected tears pricked her eyes as Annalisa warmly embraced her. She’d missed out on a mother for so many years and besides Sally, Beth’s mother, Annalisa was the only other mother figure who had accepted her so readily.
    She quietly closed her room door and was just about to turn around when she felt the hairs stand up on the back of her neck. She breathed in his expensive cologne, which carried through the slight breeze. Her felt her breathing grow shallow. Plastering a smile, she turned around to face him.
    Once again her breath was caught in her throat at the sight of him, but his brown aviators concealed his eyes.
    “Nico,” she breathed, her voice sounding husky even to herself. “I was just getting ready to leave.”
    “Stay.” His smooth voice was a command.
    “What?” She laughed nervously. “Don’t be silly, I have to get back home.”
    “I don’t want you to go. Stay.”
    Amber felt her throat tighten up. This was exactly what she was afraid of. She could and would not get involved as much as her heart was telling her otherwise. He pulled off his sunglasses and his molten stare burned through her, waiting for her response. Then and