Page 88 of Once Upon a Time in Venice

‘But I thought …?’

‘We’re kind of together,’ Issy giggled, slipping her hand into Brad’s.

‘Actually, we’re very together,’ Brad added, sliding an arm around Issy’s waist and pulling her to him.

Darlene stepped backwards and sat down on her bed. ‘You’re going to have to give me a minute,’ she said, looking at them suspiciously, as though they were playing a trick on her. ‘Wait a second – I read the National Enquirer religiously. Was Issy the reason you broke up with Lexi Parker?’

Brad considered the question. ‘No, she wasn’t. But I’m so grateful she was there for me when I needed her. I guess Lexi and I were over long before I realized I was falling in love with Issy.’

‘In love,’ Darlene squealed. ‘Brad Redford is in love with my daughter! Oh my goodness, are you planning on getting married?’

‘Mom!’ Issy chastised, her face flushing. ‘You’re so embarrassing.’

‘I can assure you, ma’am, I have only the best of intentions towards your daughter,’ Brad grinned again.

‘But Mom, you can’t tell anyone about this. Not yet.’

‘What do you mean?’

‘We’re only just getting used to the idea ourselves. When the news comes out, it’s going to be crazy. I worked for Brad for three years, and I know what his life’s like, and how intense it can be, what the press will say. We’re enjoying the privacy for now.’

‘Well, I’m dying to tell everyone in this place, but I guess I can hold it in for now,’ Darlene laughed.

‘You might not have to wait for too much longer,’ Brad said, as Issy looked at him curiously. ‘The High Voltage premiere’s slated for this summer. I thought it might be kinda nice if you were on my arm for the red carpet.’

‘Oh … Really? I …’ Issy trailed off. ‘Me?’ she said in disbelief, which made them all laugh.

‘Who else?’ Brad replied, looking at her adoringly.

Issy’s expression swung between excitement and terror. She’d been on the red carpet before, but always a few steps behind, the camera lenses pointing in another direction, never straight at her. The thought of being dressed up, scrutinized, judged, and on the front of millions of newspapers the following day was daunting. But, on the other hand, this was her life now. If she wanted to be with Brad, she had to get used to it. And she did want to be with him. She was madly in love with him, and she was pretty sure the feeling was mutual.

Once filming had wrapped, they’d spent a blissful two weeks holed up in Brad’s beach house in Malibu, barely leaving the bedroom. But now it was time to return to the real world and take their relationship to the next level. A very public level.

‘You don’t have to decide right now,’ Brad winked. ‘There’ll be plenty of time to choose a dress.’

Issy beamed up at him, she could barely believe he was hers.

‘Aren’t you two just adorable,’ Darlene sighed. ‘You’re so lucky, Iz.’

‘I hate to disagree with you, but I’m the lucky one,’ Brad chimed in. ‘Ms Winters, your daughter has made me so happy these last couple of months. In fact, I don’t think I realized how unhappy I’d gotten. I was so wrapped up in Hollywood, in things that don’t matter, like awards ceremonies and box-office takings and magazine covers. Issy’s made me see life differently, made me realize what’s important in life. Happiness. Love.’ He pulled Issy to him, kissing her softly.

Issy couldn’t keep the smile off her face, and Darlene looked as though she might melt into a puddle at Brad’s sentimental words.

‘Mom, we need to get going,’ Issy sighed. ‘This was just a flying visit, I’m afraid, but I’ll come back again soon, I promise.’

Darlene nodded in understanding. ‘You’ve both got better things to do with your time than waste it round here, that’s for sure. But Brad, Issy said you were the one behind all of this,’ she gestured vaguely at the room, and the treatment centre beyond. ‘I can’t thank you enough. You’ve quite literally given me my life back.’ Her eyes filled with happy tears. ‘And more than that, you’ve given me my daughter back, too.’

Issy hugged her mom goodbye, and Brad hugged her too. Then they walked back out to the car, hand in hand. Brad revved the engine, and they set off on the long drive back to Los Angeles.

Their time in Venice now seemed like a dream to Issy, as she thought back to how beautiful it had been, and all the people they’d met there. It was a magical city and it had changed her life. Sometimes, she thought happily, dreams really did come true.

In Venice, Gina was pacing the floor of her small apartment. Marco was sitting on the couch, looking at her with concern, but he knew nothing he said would make a difference. All he could do was be there for Gina and support her like she’d asked him to.

There was a knock on the door and Gina froze. Her eyes darted to Marco, full of uncertainty, but there was strength there too. He stood up, and wrapped his arms around her.

‘It’ll be OK,’ he murmured, ‘I know it will. You can do this. Think of all you have gone through to get here.’ He gave her a light kiss on her forehead. ‘I’ll go,’ he said.

Gina waited in the lounge, overhearing the two men greeting one another: the low timbre of their voices; the polite, inconsequential conversation. She sat down on the sofa, then stood up again, not wanting to look too casual. She couldn’t take her eyes off the door. And then Detective Gallo walked in. It had been two months since she’d last seen him, but he hadn’t changed at all.