I listened to the front door open and close. For a second, my heart dropped into the pit of my stomach, afraid Alessandro had left without saying goodbye. A few seconds later, however, he appeared around the corner.

I went to him, desperate to have him in my arms one more time. I pulled him to me, holding him with all my might.

"Nico went ahead to meet with some of the guys," he told me. There was something careful about his tone, as if I were fragile.

I was ...