Tempted By The Bridesmaid. Annie O'Neil

mean how he’s neglected his only daughter most of his life?”

      “It wasn’t that bad.”

      “Francesca Martinelli, don’t you dare tell me your heart wasn’t broken time and time again by your father choosing work over spending time with you.”

      Fran met her friend’s gaze—saw the unflinching truth in it, the same solid friendship and loyalty she’d shown her from the day they’d met at boarding school.

      “I know. But this time it really is different.”

      “Frannie...” Bea’s brow furrowed. “He took you to a car show. You hate cars!”

      “It was an antique car show. Not a single electric car in sight.”

      Bea gave a low whistle. “Will wonders never cease?”

      “Martinelli Motors is doing so well it could probably run itself.”

      “No surprise there. But I’m still amazed he took time off. It must’ve been one heck of a health scare.”

      Fran nodded. She knew Bea’s wariness was legitimate. The number of times Fran had thought this would be the time her father finally made good on his promise to spend some quality father-daughter time...

      “It was actually quite sweet. I got to learn a lot more about him as we journeyed through time via the cars.” She smiled at the memory of a Model T that had elicited a story about one of his cousins driving up a mountainside backward because the engine had only been strong enough in reverse. “Even though we all know cars aren’t my passion, I learned more about him in that one weekend than I have...ever, really.”

      He’d thought he was going to die—late at night, alone in his office. And it had made him change direction, hadn’t it? Forced him to realize a factory couldn’t give hugs or bake your favorite cookies or help you out when you were elderly and in need of some genuine TLC or a trip down memory lane.

      “We’ve even been having phone calls and video-link chats since I left. Every day.”

      Bea nodded. Impressed now. “Well, if those two hounds of yours are anything to go by, it’ll be a successful business in no time. Who knows? I might need one of those itty-bitty handbag assistance dogs to keep me chirpy!”

      “Ooh! That’s their specialty. Want a display?” Without waiting for an answer, she signaled directions at her specially trained pooches, “Come on, pups! Bedtime for Bea!”

      Fran was rewarded with a full peal of Beatrice’s giggles when the dogs went up on their hind legs on either side of the bed and pulled at the soft duvet until it was right up to her chin.

      Snuggled up under her covers, Bea turned her kind eyes toward Fran. “Grazie, Francesca. You’re the best. Mamma has promised caffe latte and your favorite brioche con cioccolata if we head over to the palazzo tomorrow morning.”

      “I’ll be up early, so don’t worry about me. I’ll just grab something from this enormous fruit bowl before I shoot off.” She feigned trying to lift the huge bowl and failing. “Better save my back. I’ve got to be there at nine. Fit and well!”

      “At Clinica Mont di Mare?”

      “Aha! I knew I’d get something from you beyond the sat-nav coordinates!”

      Bea gave her a sidelong glance, then shook her head. “All I’m going to say is keep an open mind.”

      “Sounds a bit scary.”

      Bea gave her hand a squeeze. “Of all the people in the world, I know you’re the best one for this particular job.”

      “Thanks, friend.”

      Fran fought the tickle of tears in her throat. Bea was her absolute best friend and she trusted her implicitly. The fact Bea was still speaking to her after today’s debacle made her heart squeeze tight.

      “Un bacione.” She dropped a kiss on her friend’s forehead and gave her hand a final squeeze before heading to her own bedroom and climbing into the antique wrought iron–framed bed.

      “Freda, come! Covers!” Might as well get as much practice in as possible.

      The fluffy Bernese mountain dog padded over, did as she had been bid, then received a big ol’ cuddle. Fran adored Freda, with her big brown eyes. The three-year-old dog was ever patient, ever kind. In contrast to the other full-of-beans dog she’d brought along.

      “Edison! Come, boy!”

      The chocolate Lab lolloped up to the side of the bed to receive his own cuddle, before flopping down in a contented pile of brown fur alongside Freda.

      The best of friends. Just like her and Bea. It would be so hard to say goodbye.

      Never mind. Tomorrow was a new beginning.

      Exactly what she needed after a certain someone’s face had been burned into her memory forever.

      “You and I will never be friends.”

      Luca’s hardened features pinged into her mind’s eye. No matter the set of his jaw, she’d seen kindness in his eyes. Disbelief at what was happening. And resignation. A trinity of emotions that had pulled at her heartstrings and then yanked hard, cinching them in a tight noose. No matter how foul he’d been, she knew she would always feel compassion for him. Always wonder if he’d found someone worthy of his love.