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‘Let’s not go there.’ She shook her head.

‘Let’s.’

Gabe had always known there was more. And while he had tried his best to keep things as businesslike as possible, he wanted to know her some more. Perhaps the death of his grandfather had muddied things, it was the only explanation he could think of as to why his emotions were churning, why it was harder than usual to let another go.

Stella watched as his hand came across the table and lightly captured her own, and felt the bliss of his slightest touch.

His hands were exquisite, long-fingered with neat nails and the glint of a watch beneath his white shirt cuff then the dark navy of his suit.

She felt safe in his hands. Oh, she’d heard it said a million times before, but she understood it now—she watched their fingers steeple and press together, as if their hands were having their own conversation.

‘Why don’t you like your birthday?’

He made her honest, he took her exactly as she was, let her share her shame.

‘My parents never really made a fuss, but they completely forgot it once.’

‘Both of them?’

‘Yes, it was when I turned thirteen. My birthday’s in the summer holidays, Mum was going away with her new boyfriend and my dad was supposed to be picking me up. She’d left before I woke up, but there was no card, no present. I guess she was excited about her trip.’

‘Don’t make excuses for her.’

She liked that he just cut to the chase, that he didn’t accept excuses, because yes, she was still so hurt, and Gabe was right, her mother did not deserve her excuses for that day.

That week.

‘And?’ Gabe said, for he knew there was more.

‘My father didn’t show up. He was on an unexpected business trip apparently.’ She took a shaky breath. ‘Nobody called, nobody noticed. I was on my own for a week.’ She went to pull her hand back, but he held it tighter. ‘I shouldn’t be doing the woe is me. At least I have parents…’

He held her one hand now with both of his.

‘I had ten years of the most wonderful parents,’ Gabe said. ‘I wouldn’t trade a moment of that for extra years with yours. They sound dreadful.’

‘You’re very…’ she swallowed ‘…judgemental.’

‘I am.’ He nodded. ‘And I’m a very good judge too.’

She smiled.

‘Well, I’m pleased that your Sant Lavia birthday was a good one.’ He gave a low laugh. ‘I know my grandfather enjoyed it. I think he saw us kissing.’

‘How?’ She first checked and then she laughed in recall. ‘So, it wasn’t the maid closing the curtains.’

‘No.’ He lifted his eyes skywards. ‘Geo thought there was more to us than there was, and I believe that gave him some sense of peace.’

‘Why?’

‘He worried what would happen to the title; he knew I didn’t want children.’

‘Ever?’

‘God, no. I could think of nothing worse. Look, you gave him some peace at the end, and that means the world to me. As well as that, you had my grandfather considering using the palazzo for a movie.’

‘I don’t believe you.’

‘Better than a wedding venue!’ He both smiled and rolled his eyes. ‘I believe he would have insisted on the same clause. He seemed to trust you.’