18

An Invitation

Giovanni was desperate; Brenda had refused to speak to him, communicating only in monosyllables.

Meanwhile, she literally trembled at his presence, feeling like a child as she avoided him, yet unable to see a way to resolve their situation.

"They're husband and wife, no one will say anything if they have sex," an impertinent little voice in her head spoke, causing her cheeks to flush.

Giovanni noticed, and his heart raced, thinking she looked irresistible when her cheeks blushed.

"Are you okay?" He tried to sound casual, but to him, it didn't seem to work.

"Perfectly." Her tone was curt and cold; she moved away from him, pretending not to notice how the Italian man looked at her, each time sending butterflies fluttering in her stomach.

A couple of weeks later, Brenda came home from the academy and found Giovanni engrossed in a pile of papers. It was her turn to prepare dinner that night, so she greeted him curtly and headed into the kitchen.

He got up and followed her, s