Free Luscious by Amanda Usen Page A

pulling her down beside him. “I heard you brought a man with you.”
    Olivia gulped. The door opened and Alessandro strode out with a tray. She waited for him to set it on the small table in front of them and go back into the kitchen. She picked up her tiny cup and sniffed, relishing the scent of the hot, rich brew. “Sean is my lawyer.”
    “Oh?”
    “Yes.” Olivia sipped too quickly and burned her tongue.
    Her father raised an eyebrow. “You think that’s a good idea?”
    “No.” She never lied to her father. It was a waste of time. She wasn’t sure what else to add, though. She cleared her throat, paused.
    He spoke first. “Why don’t you take a break, cara ? Let it settle. Give your heart time to heal. I assume that’s why you’re crying?”
    Olivia gave a quick nod. Wise words. Good words. She should do that. Her heart was only half the problem, though. Her life was the other half. How on earth was she going to tell her parents she wanted to quit the restaurant? Every project they started turned into a huge success. Her mother would make Villa Farfalla famous. Her father had taken over the winery and was already exporting wine, whereas she wanted to hand over their family business to Marlene and Joe and…what? What did she want to do? The sense memory of Sean’s kiss swept through her. Other than that , she told herself sternly.
    She schooled her expression as her father’s face became stern.
    He crossed his arms, still scowling. “Your marriage…it is over?”
    “The divorce is now final.” Olivia looked down, examining the tile under her feet. Keith’s utter betrayal had motivated Olivia to make it happen quickly. Two months and they were done. Finished.
    It shouldn’t make her heart ache, but it did.
    “I’m sorry, cara .”
    “I never should have married him.” She closed her eyes and shook her head. “I feel like an idiot.” She slumped and let her head rest on the back of the chair. Her father touched her arm. She opened her eyes, dreading the judgment she expected to see. Instead, she saw sympathy.
    “He was very charming, tesoro . He fooled us too. We don’t blame you. In fact, we blame ourselves. We should have been there for you. We wanted to give you the chance to make Chameleon yours. We didn’t want to interfere…”
    “I know, Papà. I appreciate that.” But I failed. She closed her eyes against the pain that knowledge caused. His approval felt like warm sunshine after a long Norton winter and she didn’t want to step out of the light.
    He grasped her hands. “You shouldn’t have had to go through that by yourself.”
    “I wasn’t alone. I had Marlene. I don’t know what I’d do without her.” So true.
    Her father’s smile was proud. “How is my other girl?”
    “Fabulous as ever. You should see her and Joe on the line together. I swear they remind me of you and Mamma. They’re that good.”
    “I’m glad she’s happy.” He gave her a searching look. “I want you to be happy too.”
    “I’m happy to be here, Papà. That’s enough for me now.”
    She was glad when he turned to look out over the vineyard, and a wide grin softened his face. “Would you like to come check the grapes with me? It’s nearly time to harvest the Amarone.”
    His excitement made her smile, but she shook her head. “Tomorrow.”
    He kissed her cheek before he rose and strode toward the vineyard. His passion for the vines reminded her of the way Marlene talked about Chameleon. Olivia sat up straight in her chair, lifting her face to the evening breeze. She inhaled deeply, smelling grass and the faintest hint of growing grapes in the air. Her espresso was cold, but she bolted it, licking the bitter brew from her lips. Cooking smells wafted across the patio. Wonder stirred inside her as she realized that for the first time in a very long time, the smell of food didn’t make her feel tired.
    ***
    Sean picked up the phone next to his bed and dialed for the operator, glad he could