‘Yes.’
For a full minute they just sat and looked at each other, the birds in the background, the noise of the breeze rustling the trees. Ava locked the moment away—no matter what happened next, she’d done this, looked for Luca and found him, and now she needed to say what she had come to say. ‘I’m sorry to surprise you like this but it seemed important we talk, in private, face to face.’
‘But not here. We could be spotted. Come. We’ll find a café, somewhere busy and anonymous.’
Once in a bustling café redolent with the smell of pastries and hot chocolate and percolating coffee, he turned to her.
‘What would you like?’
‘Black coffee and an almond croissant.’
His smile was tight. ‘Jodi’s favourite.’ The words jolted her, the idea that she shared something with a sister she’d never met.
Once back at the table he sat down and stared at her, his face unsmiling, his eyes hard. ‘So why are you here?’
‘Because the whole talking through lawyers isn’t working. Because I need to know what you want to do about Dolci. Because I wanted to see you. Meet you, even if it’s only once.’
His gaze didn’t waver. ‘Do your lawyers know you’re here?’
‘No. No one knows I’m here.’ And only one man wouldn’t condemn her for it. For an instant she wished Liam were here, waiting at the hotel. Someone to have her back. But that wasn’t to be. Couldn’t be. ‘Truly. I just want to know what you and Jodi want.’
A s
hadow crossed his face and then he leant back. ‘How about you tell me what you want?’
‘I’d like to figure out a way for us all to work together. As a family. You, me and Jodi. I know there will be tensions and difficulties. And obstacles. But we could find a way to overcome them.’
‘That won’t be so easy.’
‘I know. My mother—she will oppose this and I don’t know how your mother will react. I don’t know the answers. But I would like to try and figure them out with you and Jodi.’
Now Luca sighed. ‘OK. I believe you. Though my own lawyers will have a hissy fit. But there is another problem. One you don’t know about.’
* * *
Liam stood at the arrivals gate, his eyes scanning the travellers as they came through, some weary, some with smiles as they looked for their loved ones. His whole body was wired as if he’d drunk a bath full of caffeine; anticipation and terror tingled through him at the thought of seeing Ava. Then there she was, blonde hair pulled back in a ponytail, dressed in a cable-knit sweater, jeans and boots, tugging a suitcase behind her.
He knew that her nails were probably accessorised to her luggage and the idea tugged at something deep inside him. His heart cartwheeled at the sheer joy of seeing her even as nerves nearly caused him to remain out of her line of vison, flat-footed and petrified.
Swiftly he strode forward, stepped into her path. ‘Ava.’
Her eyes widened and for a second there was his Ava. Her eyes held a fleeting happiness—joy, even—and then the emotion muted, vanished and he wondered if he had simply seen what he wanted with all his heart to see. ‘Liam. What are you doing here?’
‘I came to pick you up. I wanted to see you.’ He’d vowed to tell the truth, not play with words or act a part, yet he didn’t want to spook her, wanted to do this right. But the words of love wanted to escape right here and now and he swallowed them down. Better to stick to plan, maintain hope for longer. ‘If you’re not exhausted I thought we could talk. Off script. If you are tired I’ll drop you off home.’
‘I’m not exhausted or even tired. I’d like to talk.’ That sideways glance, her amber eyes flecked with curiosity.
‘Good. Let’s go somewhere more private.’
‘Sure.’ They walked to the car in silence, Liam simply happy to be with her, to have her close in this moment when he could still hope.
‘Where are we going?’
‘It’s a surprise.’
Now a small smile tipped her lips and then vanished, replaced by a frown. ‘Have I forgotten something? Is this part of our break-up plan?’
God, he hoped not. Nerves tautened inside him. Jeez. Show some backbone, Rourke. Worst-case scenario, he’d get hung out to dry, be humiliated. But he’d have been honest. He’d be able to look back without regret. There would be no what ifs to haunt either of them. ‘We’re here.’ It didn’t answer her question but it’d do.