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mushrooms, the rhythm of the knife firm and sure. “We didn’t all grow up with cooks and maids, Anna.”
    She snorted. “You don’t actually expect me to feel sorry for you, do you?” It was an old joke between them, the difference in their upbringings. And one made comfortably, as they each knew the other had valid claims to heartbreak.
    She saw his shoulders shake a little. “You’re right. That didn’t really work, did it? It never did.” He finished with the mushrooms and put down the knife. “The children are napping, I assume.”
    â€œYes. Aurelia fell asleep having her bottle and Matteo was out with his arm around a giraffe.”
    â€œI’ll warn you right now, I’m not good with children.”
    She smiled a little in response to his frown, but the smile wobbled. A bittersweet pang darted through her and she wondered if he remembered the hurtful words he’d said to her that awful day. “Oh, I don’t know. You seemed to do all right once you stopped scowling at us. Toys on the premises go a long way.”
    She braved a look directly into his chocolate eyes. The past was over and done with. Why couldn’t they leave it there?
    â€œAnd I should say thank you for letting us come here unannounced. We won’t stay long, Jace.”
    â€œWhy not Alessandro’s?” He was watching her too closely for her to be comfortable. “You and your brother were always close.”
    Yes, they had been. But she couldn’t talk to him about this. Part of it was wrapped up in Jace, and the few times she’d mentioned it, Alex had quickly changed the subject. “I felt like I would be in the way at his place, with Melissa expecting and his own business to run. And they are building a new house, you know.” Truth be told, it hurt to see their happiness, though she wouldn’t say so to Alex for the world.
    She halted. How did she explain what it had done to her to see her brother and Melissa? Only a few short months ago she’d been counseling him to get a move on and get married. About finding his happy ending. The ink had barely dried on their marriage certificate when her own perfect life had blown spectacularly apart.
    He seemed to accept what she was saying. He turned back to the stove, lifted the lid on a pot and stirred. The scent was enough to nearly make her lightheaded.
    â€œWhat are you making?”
    â€œRisotto. I thought you might appreciate an Italian influence tonight. There’s a deli down in the village that makes good sausage. Just the right spice.” He moved to the fridge and took out a plate. “Here. Snack on this. You look like you’re about to faint away.”
    The plate held an assortment of crackers, cheese and a bowl of olives in the center. Anna couldn’t help it. She reached out and picked up a piece of the cheese. It was delicious.
    â€œYou made Italian?”
    He gave her a bland look. “I might have issues, but I have never denied that the Italians have spectacular food.”
    Her lips twitched. He’d spent many an hour in the Morelli kitchen to bear that out.
    â€œBesides, I spent a lot of time in your kitchen.” He echoed her thoughts. “I paid attention. There’s a cheese factory here too,” he continued, leaving the topic of Morelli behind. “Really amazing feta. That’s sun-dried tomato. I was pleasantly surprised to find it here.”
    Anna tried another sample, relieved he was keeping the topic to food and the local area. If he asked her anything personal now, she wasn’t sure she wouldn’t fall apart.
    â€œOnly one thing it’s missing,” she said softly.
    Jace left the stove and came to her. Her heart beat quickly as his body nearly pressed against hers. But he only reached around her for one of the wineglasses hanging behind her head. “Perish the thought,” he said in a low voice, and shivers erupted over her