The Juliet Club by Suzanne Harper Page A

throat loudly, then coughed, and then, for good measure, pretended to sneeze before stomping down the wooden stairs.
    â€œOh, hi, Kate!” If Lucy was put out by being interrupted, she didn’t show it. “This is Giacomo.”
    â€œPiacere,” he said, smiling.
    â€œHi,” she said coolly.
    Giacomo’s smile dimmed a bit.
    â€œAnd guess what?” Lucy went on. “This bed is the actual bed —”
    â€œActually, it’s not.” Kate nodded toward the sign. “It’s a movie prop.”
    â€œOh.” Lucy seemed a bit crestfallen at this news, and Kate wished she hadn’t said anything.
    She glanced at her watch and then at Lucy. “We should probably go, so we have time to get ready for the party.”
    â€œOh, yes, you’re absolutely right,” Lucy said, “but I want to take a picture on the balcony first. Stay right here, don’t move, I’ll be right back.”
    As she rushed out of the room, Giacomo turned his attention to Kate.
    â€œYou look very disapproving,” he said lightly.
    â€œThat’s because I am disapproving,” she answered.
    Not the faintest trace of a smile. Giacomo sighed. Probably not his type.
    â€œWell, Juliet’s House does attract such romantic young ladies,” he said. “It seems a shame to disappoint them.”
    â€œYour work for the tourism board must keep you busy.”
    Was there a sarcastic edge to her voice? Definitely not his type.
    â€œGot it!” Lucy came rushing back, holding her camera up in triumph. “Thanks for waiting!”
    â€œYou’re quite welcome,” Giacomo said smoothly, smiling down at her. But as they left Juliet’s bedroom, Kate saw him glance toward the balcony, where another gaggle of girls had gathered. “I have a few matters to take care of before I leave, but perhaps we will see each other again.”
    â€œOh, I hope so!” Lucy said. She cast a quick, imploring glance at Kate. “Maybe we could stay just a tiny bit longer. . . .”
    â€œWe should have left fifteen minutes ago if we wanted to be on time,” Kate answered, checking her watch again. “If we leave now, we’ll only be fashionably late, instead of embarrassingly late.”
    Giacomo gave a rueful shrug and took Lucy’s hand. “I fear that the fates have conspired against us. But remember, such moments were meant to be short, and being short all the sweeter.”
    â€œOh. Well. Yes. I suppose that’s true.” Lucy sounded bewildered but pleased.
    Kate barely refrained from rolling her eyes at this flowery and ridiculous good-bye. It was like Shakespeare, she thought, without the sense.
    Lucy chattered on blithely as they walked downstairs and out the door, not noticing Kate’s silence.
    Not only was she silent, she was brooding. It was a good thing, really, that she had had her heart broken already, thus inoculating her at an early age from the folly and madness of love. It meant that she was now sensible and clear-eyed and calm, and would never make a fool of herself again, the way Lucy did by swooning over Giacomo.
    But as they crossed the courtyard, Kate couldn’t resist looking back over her shoulder. Giacomo was now standing on the balcony, smiling down at a girl who was gazing up at him with an expression that, even from this distance, was obviously adoring. As if he felt Kate watching him, he glanced up and, once again, their eyes met. He smiled and winked. Then he deliberately turned his gaze back to the girl’s face.
    And Kate lifted her chin, spun around, and walked away.

Entr’acte
    Sarah and Annie had made a pact: They would read all Kate’s e-mails and compose their answers to her in each other’s presence. In this way, they reasoned, they wouldn’t be tempted to offer the kind of advice and counsel that could result in her either falling in love (and thus resolving their bet in Sarah’s