“He just can’t believe a woman like you would settle for a man like me,” Talos told her lightly, then over Eve’s head, he stared hard at Roark. “Isn’t that right?”
His friend got the message. “Yes. Exactly right.”
“I wouldn’t say I’m settling exactly,” Eve teased him, then looked back at Roark. “Have we met?”
Roark frowned, blinking as if he were in some kind of weird upside-down world. “Several times. At parties, mostly. You were once on a charity committee with my wife.”
“Oh.” Eve held out her hand with a friendly, apologetic smile. “I’m so sorry. I’ve had some memory problems lately. What’s your name?”
“Roark Navarre. My wife is Lia.”
“Lovely to meet you. Is she here?”
“No. She’s at home with our kids in Tuscany.” Roark shook her hand, then shot Talos a questioning look. “I came to Venice to buy her a gift. Today’s our third wedding anniversary.”
“How romantic!”
Roark cleared his throat. “Not as romantic as the two of you, it seems. You’re really getting married today?”
“Yes,” she said shyly, glancing back at Talos. She radiated contentment and quiet joy.
Roark had reason to look shocked, Talos thought. He was one of the few people who knew the whole story of how Eve had stolen the documents from his safe and given them to his American rival, who’d promptly released them to the press with all sorts of nasty insinuations. Roark was undoubtedly wondering why, instead of ripping her head off for nearly ruining his billion-dollar company, Talos had proposed that she become his wife.
Roark wasn’t much of a talker—the two men had become friends over mutually beneficial business deals in New York and the occasional Knicks basketball game—but any moment he might say something to give it away.
Once Eve realized their past wasn’t as rosy as he’d implied, she would never agree to marry him today. And she’d already had her first memory. The clock was ticking. The rest might come tumbling down at any moment. She could get her memory back, then all would be lost. His revenge. His child’s name. He had to marry her as soon as possible. Now, before she remembered everything and ran away again, this time taking his baby with her.
“Yes, we’re getting married today,” Talos confirmed. “And we have additional good news,” he said evenly. “We’re having a baby.”
“Oh,” Roark said, then, “Oh.” He cleared his throat, then suddenly smiled, as if it all made sense now.
A great time to leave. “So if you’ll excuse us, we’ll be on our way…”
“On your way!” Roark shook his head, clapping Talos heartily on the shoulder. “I wouldn’t hear of it. Come down to Tuscany, man. Just three hours’ drive from here. I was just headed back home.”
“But it’s your anniversary,” Eve blurted out. “We couldn’t possibly intrude.”
“Nonsense.” He grinned. “I’ll call Lia. She hasn’t planned an event for ages, since she’s been home with the babies. She’ll love the excuse for an impromptu party. And she’s been wanting a chance to show off the new place since we finished rebuilding the castle…”
“A castle?” Eve breathed. “In Tuscany?”
“Yes. The oldest part is the medieval walls around the rose garden. Particularly beautiful in September. ‘Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness,’ and all that,” he added, looking a bit embarrassed as he glanced down at the package in his arms.
“Keats,” she said in surprise.
“Lia loves poetry,” he sighed. He held up the wrapped package. “It’s a first edition.”
Eve shot Talos an imploring look. “It all sounds lovely.”
A romantic wedding? With his friends in attendance?
“Absolutely not,” Talos said firmly. “We’re fine with a quick visit to fill out the paperwork here.”
Leaning against his chest, Eve reached her arms up over his neck and looked back at him pleadingly. “Oh please, Talos. I would far rather have a real wedding with some of your friends then just with strangers.” She paused and suddenly looked wistful. “With no friends and no wedding party, it wouldn’t seem quite real.”
No, it wouldn’t, Talos thought crossly. And that was just the point. This marriage wasn’t real. It was a means to an end.
“But I understand,” she said with a sigh. “You don’t want to bother your friends on their anniversary.” She brightened. “Perhaps we could wait a few days, plan something here in Venice and invite them.”