Everything to Lose (Moonlight Dating Series #2) by Natalie G. Owens Page A

spirit was back. The banter. The laughs. Just like the happy days.
    “Sounds good to me.”
    Something on the floor caught his eye – a suitcase and travel bag. She’d transferred her luggage to his room.
    Feeling buoyant, he swung out of the bed and made for the bathroom . He squeezed toothpaste on his toothbrush.
    “Where we goin’?” he asked around the brushing.
    “Breakfast first, then… I have a meeting. You… can come if you wish.”
    Her voice had an edge to it, and why the hesitation?
    He shrugged it off and rinsed his mouth. They were in Italy, for God’s sake. And, he figured after what happened last night, Hell was a long way away from here.
    “Fine by me.” He finished up, fast shower and shave, in four minutes.
    Ten minutes later , they left the room and went to the small hotel bistro . After quickly consuming a meal of bread, butter and cheese that seemed to pass for breakfast in this place and enjoying a nice conversation , they descended the stairs to the main door.
    The chains around his heart were slowly coming loose, setting him free.
    “We have some time. Let’s do a bit of sightseeing. I could do with another coffee,” she announced as she grabbed his arm and started at a brisk pace.
    Yet , despite her lightheartedness, he sensed some tension bubbling underneath. Perhaps she needed time to adjust herself to things. Their lives lately had gone through the wringer.
    They strolled together like new lovers to the nearby Piazza del Popolo, the city’s main square. The moderate December climate attracted a flurry of people who milled about, carrying a mountain of shopping bags.
    Many took a break in one of the cafés strewn around the wide square. They walked into the first one on the left and grabbed a seat. He was so intent on watching Lissy’s face that he didn’t even check the name of the place.
    She hid it fast but the sudden flash of panic had definitely been there a moment ago. He decided not to press her for now, even when she sneaked repeated glances at her watch and kept tapping on the marble surface of the table.
    He reached across it and put his hand on hers. “Don’t be nervous, you’ll ace it.”
    “What?” she said blankly.
    “Your meeting. Your boss will be proud.”
    “Oh, thanks.” Blushing, she lowered her gaze to their hands as she stated the obvious. “This is my first trip for such an important assignment.” She turned her hand and linked her fingers with his, regarding him through the curtain of her eyelashes. He squeezed her hand in reassurance.
    After the espressos, they meandered back up the street, past the theater Vendidio Basso to the very end, until the road forked three-ways. They took the right onto Via Vidacilio, a narrow road not much wider than an alley, to a restaurant curiously named in English – Rhapsody . Some construction was taking place across the street, but there were no workers at this time. The restaurant door was ajar; it was too early to open for lunch.
    Lisbeth pushed it open and they went inside. They found themselves in another ancient palazzo with high vaulted ceilings and restored brickwork.
    “Hello?” Lisbeth called, sounding like a too-taut violin string. “Anyone here?”
    “Hey lady, you guys made it a tad early I see.” 
    He heard the American’s voice before seeing the average height, rotund man it belonged to. Just as well because the sight of those blue eyes and fat cheeks made him want to run to the nearest airport and go home. He looked just like…
    He threw a questioning look at Lisbeth and gritted his teeth. “What’s this about?” 
    “You need to talk, and then you need to tell me about it,” she said with stubbornness.
    Of the two of them, some thought he was the rebellious, determined one. They were wrong. Give Lisbeth a cause and you have no chance in hell of gaining an edge with her.
    They both had a lot to answer for in regards to the end of their marriage. He was a closed book she couldn’t pry