Summer in Sorrento by Melissa Hill Read Free Book Online Page B

successful, and that I do n’ t pity hi m— that we do n’ t have a relationship and we never will, because soon, h e’ ll be dead, and I’ ll go on with my life like he never existed . ”
    Maia felt a bit blind-sided by just how frank this dinner table admission was.  “ Are you sure you want to feel that way ?” she asked.
                  But Jacob did n’ t have time to answer because the backdoor opened and Amelia strode in.  Her cheeks were rosy and she looked the tiniest bit windblown.  She definitely looke d… happie r .
                  “ Oh ,” she stumbled.  “ I seem to keep interrupting when people are eating . ”
                  “ Nonsense ,” said Maia, jumping up.  “ I t’ s what you do in Ital y— ea t— several times per day.  Please, sit down.  What can I get you to drink ? ”
                  And just like that the increasingly difficult conversation with Jacob was forgotte n— Maia did n’ t think it was right to continue, not with the new introduction of Amelia to the group, nor did she think it appropriate to ask Amelia how she was feeling.  So the table kept to neutral topic s— jobs, hobbies, favorite travel spots and the like.
                  Through it all, Hal and Lori never showed up for dinner.  Maia was pretty sure they were both still in the hous e— she did n’ t think they had left.
                  When dinner was over, Camilla began cleaning up with Ameli a’ s help.  Maia advised them to make sure they put some leftovers to the side, in case Lori or Hal got hungry later.  With that, she walked in the direction of their room to let them know that there was food if they wanted it.
                  But as she neared their door, she was immediately hit with the sound of raised, albeit muffled, voices coming from within their room.
                  “ No , yo u do n’ t understand Hal.  You are one of the most insensitive people I have ever met.  We are in Italy for Go d’ s sakes.  And what do you do?  You want to fix the goddamn air conditioning at the place we are staying.  Why do n’ t you just say it?  That you do n’ t want to be here?  That you have checked out of this marriage ?” cried Lori.
                  Maia felt a surge of embarrassment rush through her and she slowly stepped away. As the argument became more heated, she knew without a doubt that she did n’ t want to be caught eavesdropping, should either one of them open the door, and she also knew that this was none of her business.  She hoped that her footsteps were not making any noise on the wood floors beneath her.
                  “ What do you want from me Lori?  Just tell me and I’ ll do it.  And why would you say that?  That I’ ve checked out.  I swear to God, I ca n’ t do anything right.  I really ca n’ t, not with you, not anymore.  I agreed to come to Italy.  I agreed to this guesthouse.  I agreed to this downtime because you said we needed i t— I do n’ t know what else to do for you ! ”
                  Finding sanctuary in the kitchen, Maia could n’ t help but feel upset over what she had heard between the fighting couple.  She excused herself and went outside, where the cool night breeze whipped tendrils of her hair from her temples and the scent of lemons fragranced the air around her.  Maia walked down the path from her house, toward the road and the cliff side, determined to find a bit of solitude to clear her head.  And she knew just the spot.
                  Finding her way easily to a small overlook that gave a clear view of the city lights of Naples at night, she felt herself calming down as she walked.  However, she was shocked to find that when she reached her goal, she was not alon e— Jacob had apparently found this secret place too.  And he was so fully immersed in taking in the view