The Tycoon's Son (22 page)
Theo nodded. “Bruno is thrilled. He’s convinced she’s the one.”
“Sally feels the same.” Trish opened another packet of sugar and stirred it into her coffee, finding it easier to talk about Sally’s life than her own. “I’m happy they could work things out.”
Theo raised a brow. “What was there to work out?”
“You know. Logistics. Him being in Italy. Her in the U.S. You have to admit that took a little planning.”
“It took a willingness to make things work,” he said, an expression that looked almost like regret on his face.
Was that a not-so-subtle jab at her? No, she told herself firmly. Theo understood that Cassidy made relocating to Corfu impossible. Just as she understood he couldn’t leave his grandparents or his work.
Trish took a sip of her coffee and grimaced at the sweetness.
“I watched part of your lesson,” Theo said. “You dance like a pro.”
“Let’s be honestI suck.” Trish placed her cup on the table. “Still I do enjoy it. Every week I look forward to my lesson.”
“I remember you telling me you’d always wanted to learn,” Theo said. “What made you finally decide to do it?”
Trish’s heart had almost forgotten how it felt when Theo looked at her with such total concentration, as if everything she had to say was important to him.
“You. That day on the ship when you told me I needed to think of myself, too. That Cassidy needed to see her mother venturing out and trying new things.”
“I’m surprised you remembered,” Theo said.
“Are you kidding?” Trish said, before she could stop herself. “I remember everything you”
She shut her mouth before she could say more and embarrass herself. There was absolutely no reason for him to know that she replayed every single conversation they’d ever had over and over in her head before she went to sleep at night.
“I remember, too,” Theo said softly, his words like a caress.
Trish realized she’d lost control of the conversation and needed to get it back.
“Tell me, Theo, what brings you to Miami?” Trish asked in the polite tone usually reserved for strangers.
“I met my father.” His dark eyes remained fixed on her.
“How did it go?”
“Well, he didn’t throw me out.”
For a second Trish felt a surge of pride, as if she’d personally orchestrated the reunion. Then she reminded herself she’d had nothing to do with it. She’d only planted the idea.
“I’m happy for both of you,” Trish said, warmth reentering her voice. “Family is important.”
Theo reached over and took her hand, his thumb caressing her palm. “That’s why I’m here.”
Her composure faltered at the intimate touch. Though she knew she should pull her hand away and put some distance between them, at the moment she could barely breathe, much less make any kind of movement.
“You’re here because of your family?” she finally managed to stammer.
Theo’s hand tightened on hers. “Because of those I want to make part of my family.”
Her mouth went dry. “I don’t understand.”
“I love you, Trish.” Theo’s deep voice vibrated with emotion. “I want you to be my wife.”
Though the words were almost identical to the ones he’d spoken that last night on the ship, hearing them a second time didn’t lessen the impact.
“Marriage? We’ve been over this before.” Trish was pleased she could sound so composed. “Remember? We decided back on the ship that it would never work.”
“We were wrong.
I
was wrong.” Theo leaned forward. “I’m here because I love you. I’m here because I’m willing to do whatever it takes to make you mine.”
I
was wrong.” Theo leaned forward. “I’m here because I love you. I’m here because I’m willing to do whatever it takes to make you mine.”
Her breath caught in her throat but she’d learned long ago that wanting something and making it happen were two very different things. “We have to be realistic. I checked with Steven when I got back. No way will he allow Cassidy to permanently reside outside the United States.”
“You asked him?” A smile lifted Theo’s lips and he looked like a little kid who had just been given a candy store.
“I did,” Trish said, concerned Theo had misunderstood. “He said no.”
“If the logistics could be worked out to your satisfaction, would you do it?” Theo spoke slowly as if choosing his words carefully. “Is there room in your life for another person?”
It was a question Trish had struggled with since divorcing Steven. Before the cruise, before Theo, she’d have answered with an emphatic no. But since she’d returned to Miami she’d done a lot of hard thinking and soul searching.
“I would never shortchange Cassidy,” Trish said. “But these past few weeks have shown me that it’s good for her to see that I have interests of my own, things I enjoy. And if I found the right man, I believe she would see that my love for him would in no way diminish the love I feel for her.”
“What about other children?” Theo asked.
“Cassidy has been begging me for a brother or sister since she was old enough to talk,” Trish said with a laugh. “But that’s never been an issue because I’m a bit old-fashioned. In my mind babies come after a marriage, not before.”
“I totally agree,” Theo said.
Of course they agreed. During their time together Trish had discovered she and Theo were in sync on all the major issues. Unfortunately that didn’t matter. He lived in Corfu. She lived in Florida.
“The last night on the ship I told you there was no way we could be together,” he said.
“Really, Theo”
“But that wasn’t true,” he continued as if she hadn’t spoken. “There’s always a way if you want something enough.”
Hope shot up inside of Trish but she beat it down.
“I spoke with my grandparents,” Theo said. “Told them how much you meant to me. Told them that if you’d have me, I’d be moving to America. Apparently”
Trish almost choked on her coffee but motioned for him to continue when he stopped.
“My grandmother has discovered through her genealogy research that we have family in Florida.” Theo’s dimple flashed. “Relatives my grandparents are eager to meet. They’re already planning some vacations so they can get to know the Florida family members and spend time with me…and you.”
“What about when they aren’t here on vacation?” she asked. “Who will make sure they’re okay?”
“I have good friends in Corfu,” Theo said. “They have promised to watch over them, make sure they always have what they need.”
Trish nodded, reassured. “What about your company?”
“The crew of men and women I have are very self-sufficient,” he said. “However, Basil, one of the men who has been with me since the beginning, has agreed to run the business for me.”
“What will you do here?” Trish asked, not meaning to grill him, but this was his future as well as hers. She needed to make sure he’d thought this through.
“I’m considering setting up a sailing operation here in Miami,” Theo said. “Perhaps providing excursion services to some of the nearby islands.”
“But you love Corfu…”
“I do. But it isn’t going anywhere. I thought perhaps you, Cassidy and I could spend the summers there,” Theo spoke quickly. “If that’s not acceptable, we’ll figure something else out. I meant what I said. I’m willing to do whatever it takes to be with you.”
Trish was stunned. He was ready to make concessions. Ready to leave his home and business. Ready to move to a new country. Totally on his own, he’d chosen to meet her more than halfway.
Because I’m important to him. Because he loves me
.
.
Trish’s heart started to sing, but she stifled the rejoicing, still not understanding what had changed. “Why are you willing to make these concessions now when you weren’t before?”
“I was afraid to take a chance on love,” Theo said, “but I’m not going to let the past determine my future. That’s why I’m here, begging you to give me a second chance.”
“My head is spinning,” Trish stammered, trying to absorb all that had been said and what it meant for her and Cassidy’s future.
Theo moved around the table and pulled her to her feet, placing his hands on her shoulders. “There’s no rush,” he said, his voice gentle and reassuring. “No timetable. Take as much time as you need. I’m not going anywhere.”
“Oh, Theo,” was all she could manage as a couple tears slipped down her cheek.
“I never knew what love was until I met you.” Theo brushed away the tears with the pads of his thumbs. “You are the one I was meant to be with, to grow old with, and to love for eternity.”
For several seconds, she stood silent, unable to believe that what she’d wished for had finally come true. “Remember the first time we kissed?”
“How could I forget,” he said, his eyes dark with emotion. “You looked like an angel in the Mediterranean moonlight.”
“When I saw you, I’d just finished wishing on a star,” Trish said.
“What did you wish for?” he asked when she didn’t continue.
“You,” she said. He wasn’t going to be the only one baring his soul tonight. “I wanted you.”
“For that night?”
“No,” she said, her gaze never wavering. “Forever.”
Theo’s lips curved up in a smile and the tense set of his jaw eased.
“I’ve never been one for wishing on stars.” Theo tilted her chin up with the curve of his finger. “Now there’s no reason.”
“What do you mean?” she asked, the flame of hope a roaring fire.
“I have everything I want already,” Theo said as his mouth lowered, “everything I’ll ever need.”
His lips closed over hers and Trish realized that her days of wishing on stars were over, too. Because everything she had ever wanted was right here in her arms.
“Are you free tonight?” Trish asked after the kiss had ended, her voice more than a little breathless.
A devilish gleam filled his eyes. “What do you have in mind?”
“I’d like to take you home,” Trish said. “I want you to meet my daughter.”
EPILOGUE
Seven months later
T
HE LIGHTS OF THE CITY
of Naples twinkling in the distance added a magical glow to the evening. The temperature was unseasonably warm for February, and despite the strapless dress she wore, Trish wasn’t the slightest bit cold.
HE LIGHTS OF THE CITY
of Naples twinkling in the distance added a magical glow to the evening. The temperature was unseasonably warm for February, and despite the strapless dress she wore, Trish wasn’t the slightest bit cold.
Sally and Bruno had been blessed with an absolutely beautiful day for their wedding. A beautiful
hectic
day, Trish thought with a rueful smile. As Sally’s personal attendant as well as her Matron of Honor, Trish had been on a constant run since early morning.
Several minutes earlier, the noise level in the hotel ballroom had reached crescendo proportions and Trish had reached sensory overload. Desperate for a few moments of peace and quiet, she’d headed for the nearest exit. On the way she’d run into Sally. They’d ended up on the terrace outside Bruno’s private living quarters.
“Marriage becomes you.” Trish lifted her champagne glass in an impromptu toast. “You look absolutely radiant.”
The smile which had been on Sally’s lips since she’d seen Bruno waiting at the front of the church several hours earlier widened into a full-blown grin.
“Mrs. Bruno Tucci.” Sally held out her left hand and gazed down at the sparkling diamond. “I can’t help but think that if you’d hadn’t invited me on the cruise, this day would never have happened. The love of my life would be in Italy and I’d still be in Omaha.”
“You’d have connected somehow.” Trish placed her glass on a side table. She made a broad sweep with her hand at the star-studded sky. “Your love was written in the stars. Just like mine and Theo’s.”
Even now Trish couldn’t look at a star-filled sky without thinking of her fiancé. As she wiggled the finger with the diamond solitaire, a familiar warmth filled her. “Five more months.”
“I don’t understand why you’re waiting so long,” Sally said. “Anyone looking at you can see you’re crazy about him.”
“And I’m crazy about her.” Theo’s familiar deep voice sounded from behind Trish and a second later his arm slipped around her waist.
“I’ve been looking for you,” he whispered against her hair.
“Just a little girl-talk,” Trish said, leaning into his caress.
“She was about to explain why you two are waiting to tie the knot,” Sally added.
“We thought it’d be romantic to get married on
Alexandra’s Dream
,” Trish reminded Sally for what she knew had to be the tenth time. “We’re going to take our friends and family for a cruise on the same ship where we fell in love.”
Alexandra’s Dream
,” Trish reminded Sally for what she knew had to be the tenth time. “We’re going to take our friends and family for a cruise on the same ship where we fell in love.”
“We’re going to visit the wild horses in Kefalonia” Trish turned in Theo’s arms and brought her hands to his shoulders “and we’re going to parasail in Monaco”
“Stroll with the natives in the
passeggiata
in Lucca,” Theo continued, “explore the street market in Naples”
passeggiata
in Lucca,” Theo continued, “explore the street market in Naples”
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