Even then hed had an undeniable golden aura. One had had the feeling that even on a rainy day the sun would still shine exclusively around Alessio. Hed had the immense and boundless self-assurance of a being who had always led a charmed life. The angels had not been having forty winks when Alessio was born. Alessio had been young, beautiful, academically brilliant and rich. And Daisys greatest attraction could only have been that she was different from the girls he was used to dating. The new face, the foreigner, who had to work to get a taste of the sun, had stood out from the familiar crowd.
But she hadnt known who he was then. His name had meant nothing to her. And even after being slapped Alessio had still trailed her all the way back to the Morgan villa on his motorbike when she had walked out on the party. Since losing face in public was every teenagers worst nightmare, she had been upset. The more she had told him to grow up and get lost, the more he had laughed. She had been convinced that he was sending her up for her shocked response to that proposition of his, embarrassingly aware that she had overreacted and that a smart verbal rejoinder would have been infinitely more adult.
Anyone will give me a reference. Im a really wonderful guy when you get to know me, he told her, with a shimmering, teasing smile that made her vulnerable heart sing. And Im delighted youre not the sort of girl who gives her all on a first date. Not that I would have said no, you understand...but the occasional negative response is probably better for my character.
You really like yourself, dont you? she snapped.
At least I dont lurk behind the furniture, scared to speak to people, and react like a startled rabbit when they speak to me, he retorted, quick as a flash.
And she fled indoors, slunk up to her bedroom and cried herself to sleep. But Alessio showed up again early the next morning. Liz brought him into the kitchen where Daisy was clearing up the breakfast dishes. The whole time Alessio was with her the older woman hovered, staring at Alessio as if she couldnt quite believe he was real.
Ill pick you up at seven...OK? he said levelly, quite unconcerned by his audience. Well go for a meal somewhere.
OK...
Smile, he said, cheerfully ruffling the hair of the two-year-old girl clinging to his leg. She can smile at me...why cant you?
I wasnt expecting you.
His mouth quirked. Youre not supposed to admit things like that.
Liz cornered her the instant he departed. Daisy, if I acted a little weird, put it down to me being shocked at the sight of a Leopardi entering my humble home.
Why? Daisy frowned.
Weve been coming here every summer for ten years and I still cant get as much as nod of acknowledgement from the Leopardis! His parents are mega-richas well as their villa here theyve got a huge mansion in Rome, where they live most of the timeand they are very exclusive in their friendships, she explained uncomfortably. And Alessio has a reputation with girls that would turn any mothers hair white overnight. But he usually sticks with his own set. Please dont
take this the wrong way, Daisy...but do you really think you can handle a young man like that? Hes seen a lot more of life than you have.
But Daisy didnt listen. Alessio did not seem remotely snobbish. And Alessios unknown parents interested her not at all.
He rolled up in a low-slung scarlet sports car to take her out that evening. Daisy was impressed to death but Liz grabbed her husband in horror as she peered out from behind the curtains. I dont believe it! Theyve bought a teenager a Ferrari! Are the Leopardis out of their minds?
All the trappings of fantasy were therethe gorgeous guy who had miraculously picked her out of a wealth of beautiful, far more sophisticated girls, the fabulous car. That night they dined in a ritzy restaurant in Florence. Daisy was overpowered by her surroundings until Alessio reached across the table and twined her tense fingers soothingly in his, and then she quite happily surrendered to being overpowered by him instead.
On the drive back, he stopped the car, drew her confidently into his arms and kissed her. About ten seconds into that wildly exciting experience, he started teaching her how to kiss, laughing when she got embarrassed, laughing even harder when she tried to excuse her inexpert technique by pleading cultural differences. But surprisingly he didnt attempt to do anything more than kiss her. He was so different away from his friends. Romantic, tender, unexpectedly serious.
Do you know I still havent asked you what youre studying at college? Alessio remarked carelessly at one point.
History and English. I want to be an infant teacher, she said shyly, and if he hadnt kissed her again she might have told him that she was already worrying that in a years time she mightnt get good enough grades to make it onto the particular teacher-training course which her aunt had advised her to set her sights on.
You wouldnt believe how relieved I am to hear that youre studying for your degree, Alessio confided lazily. I was afraid you might still be at school.