Page 81 of Modern Romance May 2026 Books 1-4
‘Perks. You’re really serious? They’re almost identical.’ She looked from the screen to him and back again and sighed. ‘The cornflower.’ She pointed to the right. ‘The other one—’
‘Periwinkle—’
‘Is a bit purple.’
‘Hmm.’ He cocked his head and considered them both again for a long moment. ‘What?’ He turned as she giggled.
‘You’re really invested in decisions this microscopic.’
As she smiled, his damned chest tightened. Her vibrancy hummed, enveloping him in satisfaction. He’d achieved his goal—she’d recovered from that extreme tiredness. Sleeping longer, eating well, exercising; these few days had been hugely beneficial. They could probably go home soon.
‘We should go out this afternoon,’ he suggested impulsively.
‘What?’ She stiffened. ‘Why? I don’t have anything to wear.’
‘Such resistance,’ he teased. Naturally, her quick shutdown and weak excuse had him challenging her. ‘When were you last in Singapore? Let’s go explore.’
‘Are you sure you can drag yourself away from the periwinkle decision?’
Hearnshawe was everything, but for just a little longer, it could wait.
He took her to the Gardens by the Bay. She marvelled at the scope of it—the majestic plantings and the geometric glasshouses. The famous Supertrees were a stunning mix of technology and nature and simply dwarfed her. She darted through the lush space, her bright smile fitting perfectly in the fascinating environment. When it got too warm to walk the skyway he drew her into the enormous flowerdome. A vast collection of delicate orchids was the initial display.
‘They’re such beautiful colours,’ he murmured as they walked amongst them.
‘Do they inspire you for the car interiors?’ she teased.
‘Many things inspire me.’
Lily suddenly sped forward. ‘Oh look at the butterfly.’
Amused by her high-speed excitement, he laced his fingers through hers; getting her to slow down wasn’t easy. ‘It might come to you, if you stay still.’
She obediently paused. The butterfly danced between them—fragile, vibrant, vulnerable, too quick to catch. Just like her. The delicate creature grazed the back of her hand and hovered near for a few moments.
At a high-pitched gurgle of delight, they both turned. A family was behind them—parents with their three small children who ran, fast and excited. Lily’s smile turned tender as they passed her. Massimo stilled as he was struck by a vision of the future—Lily chasing after an elfin-featured toddler—smiling like that at the lucky little thing.
‘We’ll bring our baby back here,’ he muttered.
Her head whipped up and the butterfly hovering about her took flight in a fast flutter of colour. ‘Is that how you see us? A happy family, all smiles and sunshine?’
He froze. It had been an image, an instant, gone in a puff. He’d not considered his words before they’d slipped out, but now he did. The truth was he couldn’t follow through. She ought to know that and why.
‘Is that what your parents had?’ she added.
He owed her an honest answer. Biting the inside of his lip, he focused on the deep green foliage, avoiding the softness he knew would be in her eyes.
‘They didn’t marry until I was nearly nine,’ he answered lightly. ‘I spent the first eight years of my life with my mother in Italy. The Costa family are full motorhead, generations of mechanics and drivers. They live five minutes from one of the most famous circuits in the world. Dad went there on a research trip, met my mother, had an affair…’ He shrugged. ‘Unfortunately, he was engaged to another woman at the time so I spent years with other kids whispering about the rich guy who came to visit my mother and me but who didn’t ever stay, didn’t ever claim us ashis.’ He’d felt such shame. ‘I’d like to avoid adding that unnecessary complication to our child’s life.’
‘But our child can have your name. It shouldn’t matter what people think.’
‘Says the woman whose main argument is that her family isn’t respectable enough for me to marry into.’ He turned to face her.
‘That’s different. My lot could make things actuallydifficult.’
No, they wouldn’t. Massimo was already on to that. Butthatwas definitely a conversation for another day. He needed to get her on board with their future first.
‘Wecan handle difficult,’ he said. ‘Ourchildshouldn’t have to.’
