26. The Statement
The Statement
Lucy
As soon as we’re inside the motorhome, Elio is being called to secret strategy meetings left and right, my cue to call it a day and go back to the hotel. I’m dying to take a bath in that oversized tub. Plus, Elio will be out late for a top sponsor event, and I already have enough content for today.
The moment I step into my spacious hotel room, I breathe a sigh of relief, the weight of the day lifting off my shoulders. I kick off my shoes and head straight for the bathroom, eager to feel the warm water soothing my muscles, still not fully healed from those workout sessions.
After a relaxing bath and some ro om service, I lounge around in my PJs and give Daisy a call.
“ Ciao , Bella,” she answers with a forced Italian accent, and those stupid fireworks launch again like the Fourth of July. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to hear that word without having them explode in my belly.
“Hey, how are you?” I sit back on the sofa, twirling my hair.
“All good. We submitted our mortgage application today. Now we wait. How about you?”
I hold the phone closer to my ear. “I can’t believe you’re really moving out—and moving in with Asher. I’m so happy for you, Daisy.”
“Thanks, but I feel bad leaving you. After what happened with Todd, you were so amazing to take me in.”
“Are you kidding? I’m so glad you’re getting everything you’ve ever wanted. Asher is perfect for you.” He really is. They’re a match made in nerdy architecture heaven.
“How’s everything going with you? Have you met a cute barista or pizzaiolo yet? Oh! Have you gotten together with your family again?”
I already filled Daisy in on everything when we exchanged texts last night.
“No, and no.” I smile. “Still single, and ready for my solo vacation to start,” I lie, hoping she can’t detect how full of it I am through the phone.
“But I admit, I’ll miss my family. It’s weird.
I barely know them, but I also feel so close to them.
I wish I could stay longer, but my train leaves on Monday. ”
“Why can’t you? Just cancel your vacati on and extend your time in Italy. That way, you can spend more time with your family.”
“Yeah.” I bite my lip. “I’ve been thinking about it. Alessia suggested it too, but I don’t know.”
“Oh,” she says, her tone shifting, “so there is a guy.”
“W-what?” I sputter, sitting upright. “What would make you say that?”
“If it was just about spending time with your family, you’d jump at the chance to stay another week. The fact that you’re eager to leave means you’re running away from something, or rather, someone. I know you, Lucy.”
Dang. She really does.
“It’s complicated,” I sigh.
“The F1 driver?”
I clamp my mouth shut, and she squeals.
“I knew it! I told you before you even left. Well? What happened?”
“Nothing,” I grumble. “Because nothing can happen. We live on opposite sides of the world, and I’m so not his type.”
“How do you know that?”
I scoff. “Um, photos don’t lie. Remember all those pictures of him with skinny models on his arm?”
“You’re just as pretty as those girls, Lucy. I don’t know why you can’t see it. Is he still flirting with you?”
I pick at a loose fiber on the th row pillow. “Sort of, but that’s just his personality. I wouldn’t read too much into it. He’s been flirting with me from the first second he saw me.”
“Well, there you go.”
I sigh, hugging the pillow. “You don’t get it. He’s not serious. He’s a charmer. That’s just how he acts with everyone.”
“All right, I won’t push it. I’m not there, so I can’t say for sure, but you have to look past that. Maybe he’s really interested in you.”
“And then what?” I cough out a laugh. “I move to Italy, and we live happily ever after? That’s not how things work in real life, Daisy.”
“Yeah, I don’t know. Asher moved to Chicago for me—a city he hated —so I’d say anything’s possible.”
I shake my head. “That’s different. Asher had family there.”
“Um, excuse me?” She clears her throat.
I roll my eyes. “Fine, that situation was obviously complicated. But he had a job offer too. Plus, Elio and I aren’t even dating. We’re not a thing. I don’t even know why we’re talking about this, since it’s a total waste of time. Nothing is happening between us, okay? Nothing.”
“Okay, okay. You’re right. I’m sorry.”
I sigh, pressing a hand to my temple. “No, it’s—”
I jolt when someone knocks at the door. Maybe it’s the staff coming to get the room service table back?
“Hold on, someone’s at the door,” I say, getting up.
“Sure. I have to get to the office, actually. So, we’ll talk soon?”
“All right. Bye, Daisy. ”
I hang up and open the door, but it’s not a hotel employee standing before me. It’s Elio, wearing a crisp white button-down shirt, the top few buttons undone, paired with tailored navy-blue pants that fit him perfectly. His effortless style takes my breath away for a second.
“Hey, Bella . I thought we could finally go on a date tonight?”
I freeze, trying to make sense of what’s happening. “Is this you cashing in that favor?”
“What—no.” He shakes his head, giving me a pointed look. “You and your favors again. I told you I didn’t need that. You should want to go out with me by now, knowing how awesome I am.” He winks, and the fireworks are back in full swing.
I cross my arms, trying to keep up the facade. “Is that so?”
“Absolutely. In fact, you should be the one asking me out, but I’ll forgive the transgression.”
I chuckle. “You’re unbelievable. I thought you were done flirting with women?”
“I never said that. I said I was done flirting with women I wasn’t interested in,” he explains, sending a rush of butterflies to my belly. “Go out with me, Lucy. It’s long overdue. Don’t make me beg, because I will.”
I shake my head. “I thought you’d go to that party.”
“Not unless you want to.” He shrugs. “I don’t care about some party, Lucy. I want to spend time with you.”
That’s it. The fireworks are booming out of control, and I’m temporarily concerned for my well-being.
“I know a great spot close by that makes the best gelato of your life. And that’s saying something, since we’re not even in Italy. Although the owner is Italian.”
“Um,” I start, but my stomach betrays me with a growl.
“See? Your stomach wants to go out with me.” He smirks.
I avert my gaze. Of course, my body wants to be with Elio. It doesn’t have a brain. But I do, and I haven’t said my last word. “Fine,” I say with a sly smile. “I’ll go out with you.”
I grab my key card from the table and my bag from the entrance. “But this is not a date, so I'm not getting changed.” Gosh, at least I’m wearing a bra.
He arches an eyebrow. “You want to go out with me in your PJs?”
“Is that a problem?” I throw him an innocent look, but I know he’s second-guessing his offer. He loves being well-dressed, especially here in glitzy Monaco. There’s no way he’ll—
“Nope. You look great. Let’s go. If you’re comfortable, that is?
I swallow hard. “Wait. Really?”
He gives me an earnest look. “Yes, really. Why would I ask you to wear anything specific to go out with me?”
“Because you dress so well, and you’re a celebrity. People will take pictures.”
“Thanks for the compliment.” He offers his signature boyish grin. “And I couldn't care less about that. If you're okay being on magazine covers in your PJs, why wouldn’t I be?”
Crap. He got me, and he knows it. His gaze is locked on me, waiting for my next move. This is one of those moments that define you, Lucy. You have two choices: Back up, admit you were calling his bluff, and change into something decent, or stick to your guns and actually go out like this.
I look down at my outfit—loose-fitting black pants and a T-shirt with a large teddy bear and “Shh. I’m hibernating” written underneath.
Then I glance up at him, and his smug smile, and I know exactly how to wipe it off his face.
We’re making a statement tonight—but obviously not a fashion one. “Sure. Let’s go.”
His mouth drops, and I savor my moment of victory.
I cock my head to the side. “What, is there a problem?”
A smile pulls at his lips. “Not at all. After you, Bella .”