Total pages in book: 163
Estimated words: 163540 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 818(@200wpm)___ 654(@250wpm)___ 545(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 163540 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 818(@200wpm)___ 654(@250wpm)___ 545(@300wpm)
We drive to the airport in silence. Olivia’s hand is in mine on my lap, while I am deep in thought.
“Where are you going again?” I ask.
“Down to The Amalfi Coast with my friend Natalie.”
“Who is Natalie?”
“She’s my best friend. We met when we were sixteen and have been inseparable since. She’s been living in London. She’s meeting me there. She’s the funniest person I know. I call her Nat the rat.”
My eyes drift over to her. “Why is that?”
Olivia grins, her affection for her friend obvious. “She’s always getting into some kind of trouble.”
So, she fucks around.
I try to hold my tongue. “Meaning what?” I snap, failing miserably.
“Nothing, she’s just funny. It’s my nickname for her.” She leans over and kisses my cheek as I drive.
“What are you going to do down there?” I ask.
“Sightsee. Look around.”
“Is she single?”
“Yes.”
“Will you be going out at night?”
“Obviously.”
I see red and clench my jaw.
Don’t say it. Don’t say it. Don’t fucking say it.
“So, you’ll be looking for number four down there?” I snap.
Olivia looks out of the window without a care in the world. “I don’t think so.”
I turn to her, horrified nearly running us off the road. “You don’t fucking think so?” I growl. “What is this? An Italian fuck fest?”
She laughs out loud. “I’m teasing you, Rici.” She leans over and kisses my face, while I continue to see red. “Although, I do have to say, I’m loving this jealousy thing.”
I hold the steering wheel with a white-knuckle grip…that makes one of us.
“Can I see you when you come back to Rome?” I ask.
“I’ll think about it,” she says casually.
I glare at her, infuriated beyond belief. No woman has ever played with me before.
She bursts out laughing. “Rici, you are so easy to rile up. I’ll be counting the days until I see you again.” She picks up my hand and kisses my fingertips. “You’re my sun, remember?
“I don’t like you traveling alone.”
“I’m not alone, I’m with Natalie.”
“And what about when Natalie picks up a man? What then?”
“Then I will do what I’ve been doing since we were sixteen. I’ll go home alone. We have our own rooms for this reason.”
I watch the road, angered by my sudden outburst of jealousy. What the fuck is this?
“I’m staying at the same hotel when I come back in two weeks,” she says.
“You’ll be staying with me.” Jesus fucking Christ, I can’t even act cool for a moment.
“Okay. Will you pick me up from the airport?”
“If I can get off work.” I think for a moment, and then hand her my phone. “Can you put my number into your phone, please?” She types it in. “Now put me in yours.” She dials her number from my phone, and it registers the call. “Call me as soon as you get there tonight so I know you’re safe.”
“Okay.”
“And trust nobody down there,” I add.
She rolls her eyes. “Rici.”
“Don’t Rici me. I know how fucking seedy men think.”
“Did you just admit that you’re a seedy man?” She smirks.
“Olivia,” I warn. “I mean it. Don’t go anywhere alone. I don’t want you in danger.”
“I’ll be fine.” She rolls her eyes dramatically.
We pull into the airport parking lot, and my stomach sinks.
I don’t want her to go.
We stand in the boarding lounge, holding hands, looking at each other.
“Last call!” the attendant announces.
“You have to go,” I say. Her eyes search mine. “Have a safe flight,” I whisper as I pull her into an embrace.
“See you in two weeks.”
“Yes.”
She smiles sadly. “Will you call me?”
I stare at her as I begin to feel myself lose the battle of remaining silent. “Every day.” She wraps her arms around me, and our lips touch. “We had a crazy weekend, yes?”
“Crazy good. Call me tonight?” she asks in a whisper.
I suddenly become aware of the people around us staring at our long-winded goodbye. Self-conscious, I step back from her, our hands still linked. “Safe travels, bella.”
She smiles softly and hunches her shoulders together. “See you soon.”
I tuck my hands into my pockets. “Not soon enough.”
She gives me a fingertip wave and blows me a kiss. I watch her disappear into the departure gate, an overwhelming sense of dread filling me.
Because she’s gone.
Because I won’t see her for fourteen days.
Fuck.
I turn and leave the airport. I’m crossing the parking lot when my phone rings.
I smile broadly when I see it’s my mother calling.
“Ciao, Mamma.”
“Enrico, devi andare all’ospedale,” my mother’s panicked voice says.
“What?’
“Get to the hospital immediately. There’s been a car accident.”
My face falls. “Who?”
“Your father and your grandfather. They were driving to Roma this morning when it happened.”
“What?” Panic sets in. “Are they all right?”
“Just get to the Gernelli University Hospital, Enrico. The rest of the family are hours away. We are on our way now. Andrea is in Paris for work, and Mattia is still in France.”