Italy

She asked Phillips to join her in Las Vegas, where she was meeting friends visiting from Italy. He told her to go alone. And he added one other thing: after Vegas, just stay on the plane all the way to Italy.

Blown away by Phillips' ultimatum, Baggio quickly—and loudly—packed her bags. Just before evacuating the premises, she made one last vow: if she went to Vegas alone, she would indeed return to Italy. Phillips didn't bat an eye. He hasn't seen her since.

Weeks later, all alone on his living-room sofa, Phillips takes a sip of tea and puts the whirlwind romance in perspective.

"I always let her do what she pleased," he says gently. "Italians are very dramatic."