WHISPERS OF LEGACY

Chapter 18: A Day in Florence

The café was tucked away on a quiet street, its green awning stretching over an assortment of small white tables. Sunlight filtered through ivy cascading down the building's facade, casting dappled shadows on the cobblestones. The air was rich with the scent of fresh pastries and brewed espresso, blending perfectly with the warmth of Florence in the morning.

The group settled into their chairs, immediately setting off a flurry of chatter as they scanned the menu. Sam adjusted his camera, snapping pictures of the café exterior before glancing at the table. "If this place were in Westbridge, people would be lining up just to take a selfie here."

"Thankfully, it's not," Theo replied, scanning the menu. "Let's try not to make a scene."

Lisa leaned back, letting the sunlight catch her face as she scanned her surroundings. "I'm definitely making a scene," she replied, grinning. "This is Italy. We're allowed to be dramatic."

Just then, the waiter approached to take their orders, and Lisa's attention shifted as her gaze landed on a figure just behind him—a tall, dark-haired man with a jawline that could have been sculpted by Michelangelo himself. He was standing by the café entrance, chatting with another patron in rapid Italian, his voice low and effortlessly charming.

Gabe, following her gaze, raised an eyebrow. "Already?"

"What?" Lisa replied, her eyes sparking with mischief. "I'm just appreciating the local...scenery."

He was chatting with the café owner, laughing at something she said, and gesturing animatedly with his hands. His laughter was warm, genuine, and unmistakably flirtatious. As he glanced in their direction, his gaze lingered, meeting Lisa's with a glint that was equal parts curiosity and amusement.

He gave a small nod, a hint of a smile playing on his lips, before he started toward them, his steps slow, almost leisurely, like he knew he had all the time in the world. He stopped just short of their table, his hands slipping into his pockets as he greeted them with a smooth, "Buongiorno." His accent curled around the words, each syllable laced with that distinct Italian cadence.

Lisa tilted her head, her own smile teasing as she replied, "Buongiorno."

"Excuse me for intruding," he continued, his eyes lingering on her just a moment longer than necessary. "I couldn't help but notice a beautiful stranger with a captivating smile."

"Oh?" Lisa raised an eyebrow, clearly amused. "You must be mistaken. My friends say I don't smile enough."

Gabe snorted, muttering, "They're not wrong."

But the man ignored him, his gaze fixed on Lisa as if no one else existed. "Perhaps they don't know how to bring it out in you," he said, his voice lowering a fraction. Then, as though just realizing he was still a stranger, he extended a hand. "Luca."

"Lisa," she replied, sliding her hand into his with an easy confidence, though the faintest hint of a blush colored her cheeks. "These are my friends...who I'm sure will manage to entertain themselves if I go missing."

Luca's smile widened as he held her hand a second longer than necessary. "An honor, Lisa. And if you're missing, well..." he shrugged, flashing a grin, "you'll be in good hands."

Gabe rolled his eyes, tightening his grip on his coffee cup. "Just great. We came to get to know Italy, not...Luca."

Luca didn't miss a beat, catching Gabe's eye with a playful smirk. "I am Italy," he said, voice dripping with charm. "And if you're fortunate, I might show you the very best of it."

Sam chuckled, nudging Theo. "Man, this is like watching an Italian rom-com unfold in real life."

Theo, looking amused, gave a half-smile. "Lisa always did have a flair for the dramatic."