Someone to Love (33 page)

After the wedding, we decided to sell Diego's house to raise money for a common project, which for the moment we weren't going to reveal to anyone. I didn't want to go and live somewhere else, my home was a gift from my grandparents. Diego knew how dear it was to me and decided to renovate it and bring it back to its ancient splendour.

Our family had expanded with the arrival of Happy, who had become Bubu's inseparable friend. In the end, he had found his other half as well.

Fiamma and Antonio had started dating steadily and, although they didn't show their feelings, I knew how much they loved each other. I was really happy for them.

I was convinced that nothing had happened by chance and that if everything I had gone through had brought me to where I was now, then, I would have relived it a thousand times.

After a full day's drinking hot chocolate, playing with Lukas and chatting with Gemma, the time had come to return to our rooms and get ready for the evening.

Diego and I had dinner at a local restaurant, renowned for its fish specialties. And later we walked along the waterfront.

Excited children sang traditional Christmas carols around the tree in the square. Its upper branches were dotted with colourful balls and I couldn't help but be enchanted by the play of light. Christmas was just around the corner and the city was preparing for the season's festivities.

“Kitten, you look beautiful tonight.” he paused to admire me, wrapped in my red coat.

“You are beautiful.” there was something in his manner and in his tone of voice that always surprised me. Each time it was our first time.

My fingers encircled his waist.

“Are you cold?” he asked, putting his scarf around my neck.

“Just a little.”

“Do you want to get closer? So I can warm you up?” asked Diego.

He sat on a low stone wall and I squatted in the niche created by his legs. His body protected me from the cold air, I let go of everything in his arms.

It was at that moment that something unforseen happened, that surprised everyone. Silent snowflakes began to fall, light and unexpected. They fell down from the night sky, hovering in a slow dance, and landing on our shoulders and hair. It had been years since there'd been a snowfall in Apulia.

I lifted my nose up in the air and closed my eyes. Maybe it was a sign.

“What are you thinking?” he asked, breaking the silence.

“That this time everything will be all right.” I moved a bit and I saw his face light up. Then he said.

“When I met you I had no expectations, if anything, I was afraid. Starting a new relationship meant getting back into the game, and trusting another person. But I couldn't live without taking the risk.” He sighed and went on. “I've learned the hard way that it's often a matter of seconds, and that you should never miss out on opportunities that arise. You were one of those opportunities that don't happen twice.”

“Oh, Diego—” was the only thing I managed to say before he spoke again.

“I have a thousand faults, I could spend hours listing them, but I love you.”

He squeezed my hand and smiled. “I don't have a crystal ball to predict how our future will be. The only thing I can guarantee you is now. Full of laughter, travelling, hopes and dreams. As long as you want, until you're not satisfied.”

Finally he fell silent, because no other words were needed, and he put his hands gently over my belly. The little girl moved: she was awake and healthy inside me, and had just heard one of the sweetest love promises ever.

 

 

 

We hope you enjoyed this book!

More addictive fiction from Aria:

Find out more

Find out more

Find out more

For more information, click the following links

Certain stories are born from nothing, materialize in your head when you least expect it, and
Someone to Love
was created just like this. Accomplice a rainy day and the company of my dog, I decided to start a new adventure, not knowing where it would take me. And now that I have come this far, I've run out of words to thank those who encouraged me. Indeed, I apologize if my words are trivial, but they are sincere.

Although this novel is the fruit of imagination, the story revolves around people I really met.

My first thanks are addressed to my parents who, despite fact that they separated when I was two years old, have always been present in my life and have supported all my choices. And thanks to my mother for passing on her infinite love for animals. I love you.

Luca is the part I was missing, the companion that, despite his flaws, every woman should have by their side.

Elena, my best friend and mainstay in my life.

To the prince of the house and also one of the protagonists of the story: Bubu, my dog.

To all those who chase a dream and don't take no for an answer.

Thanks to Alessandra Penna for having placed her trust in me and my novel, it was a pleasure working with you.

To Sonia S., Ros, Valentina G., Livia, Elisa B., Isabella D., Ilaria C. for our chats and friendship born thanks to this book.

A special thank goes to Alessandra Zengo, for putting up with me for so many months. You were wonderful.

To all the girls, to all the bloggers, to all the people who listened to me, and followed me during the writing of the book up until now, and to all those who have the pleasure of being my virtual friends. You are too many to quote individually, but you know who you are.

To Elisabetta Baldan for having created the very first cover of the novel that I will always carry in my heart.

Thanks to those who follow me and to all the readers of my blog.

And I haven't forgotten you, my dear reader. To you I owe a lot more.

L
UCY
S
CALA
grew up in Moncalieri and Turin. Her love for animals led her to the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine in Grugliasco, where she still studies alongside her writing.
Somebody to Love
is her first novel and was a bestseller on Italian Amazon and ITunes.

Aria is the new digital-first fiction imprint from Head of Zeus.

It's Aria's ambition to discover and publish tomorrow's superstars, targeting fiction addicts and readers keen to discover new and exciting authors.

Aria will publish a variety of genres under the commercial fiction umbrella such as women's fiction, crime, thrillers, historical fiction, saga and erotica.

So, whether you're a budding writer looking for a publisher or an avid reader looking for something to escape with – Aria will have something for you.

Get in touch:
[email protected]

Addictive Fiction

First published in Italy in 2015 by Newton Compton

This eBook edition first published in the UK in 2016 by Aria, an imprint of Head of Zeus Ltd

Copyright © Lucy Scala, 2015
Translation © Chloé Ercoli Bannister, 2016

The moral right of Lucy Scala to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act of 1988.

The moral right of Chloé Ercoli Bannister to be identified as the translator of this work has been asserted in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act of 1988.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior permission of both the copyright owner and the above publisher of this book.

This is a work of fiction. All characters, organizations, and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously.

9 7 5 3 1 2 4 6 8

A CIP catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.

ISBN (E) 9781784978914

Aria
Clerkenwell House
45-47 Clerkenwell Green
London EC1R 0HT

www.ariafiction.com