Wanderlust and whispers

ly had one foot out of bed whe

d, crossing her arms and s

ill wrapped in her

actically levitating. W

her eyes. "No

ised an

ng up. "I met someone. Kind o

flung the curtains open dramat

s a painter. Charming. Dramatic.

ack. "That's why I'm here. To r

inked. "Ok

love with cities, coffee shops, train stations -

bed. "I'm not falling in l

e. And Paris. And let's not fo

oaned into

errari Deluca might be charming, but you're n

ly through the pillow.

ve a writers' conference this evening. Put on something

-

l - an old converted library with tall arched ceilings and walls lined with worn books - just as the crowd was settling

prosecco. For a moment, she felt like her old self again - the one who scribbled

ce wound down,

ting outside. You s

d despite

-

. He wore a dark denim jacket over a white tee, and his hair looked like he'd r

handing her a helmet. "T

book stalls. Over risotto and red wine, he asked her about her favorite

into the cool night air, he

id, "I show

-

paints, wood, and dreams. Canvases leaned against the walls, unfinished pieces littere

red, turning slowly i

?" he

l," she c

g the room in amber light. Then, he picked

to pai

rned sharp

already rummaging through his brushes.

ot a m

tepping closer.

hair he pointed at. She folded her hands in her la

s dream of," he murmured. "Strong line

e swal

eyes kept darting between her and

ring," she

he replied. "B

in the middle of a b

eyes

g almost dangerous. Ferrari dropped the brush, stepped forward

rs grazed

," he sa

eath c

d began to move aga

both

nd glanced at the sc

ll t

" she said, slipping off t

broken. He picked up a b

wered.

d in her clipped, elegant voi

es

orrow night. Very exclusive. The N

ked. "The fa

t. Their son Lorenzo is quite involv

kay. W

nd frankly, you owe me. This d

at the floor.

vienne added. "Do

d before she

-

inished painting. It looked like her - and yet i

finish," she

turning around. "Some thin

unsure what

r over his shou

ted. Important peopl

t quite reach his eyes.

lly," sh

he said, wiping paint from his hands

throat tigh

errari," she

ght, Tw

ight and walked toward her car, sh

nfinished, and

ored and waiting with sil

know where

for sure - she was no