‘Perfetto.’

She didn’t think she’d ever seen him so happy. ‘How’s Liv?’

Somehow his face lit up even more. ‘She’s wonderful.’ Rocco moved on to Christian, giving him a bear hug, which he returned. ‘What are you doing here?’

‘I’m here to see you,’ Christian said.

If Rocco heard the serious inflection in his friend’s voice he made no sign of it. ‘Alessandra and I have a lunch date—are you joining us?’

‘Rocco,’ said Alessandra, placing a hand on her brother’s arm to get his attention. ‘Christian is here with me. We have something to tell you.’

Immediately the light in her brother’s eyes dimmed, became wary. ‘Tell me what?’

Christian shifted slightly and placed an arm around her waist. The gesture felt almost protective. ‘We’re getting married,’ he said, his tone serious.

Rocco shook his head as if clearing his ears of water. ‘Married?’

wanted you to

as natural as possible, then Rocco should be accepting of their plans. That was what she’d been telling herself for almost a

not at his usual pitch. ‘You two are getting

‘Si.’

and

‘Si! Isn’t it wonderful?’

it. When did all

you were in New York.’ She and Christian had agreed to stick with the truth as much as possible. Neither wanted to lie to Rocco. ‘Christian had come to take you out but, as you were in New York, I talked him into taking me

you hope

we’ve set the date

‘That soon?’

brushed against her back as he pulled away from her and took a step

Neither man spoke.

she became aware that the atmosphere in the office wasn’t the warm bonhomie she’d intended. It

to her brother, taking in the two sets of lips clamped firmly

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