Chapter Twenty-Four
Fernando called Anthony and Hannah and explained what had just happened and his feelings about the situation, and well, everything.
Hannah cried, “I knew she was the one for you all along!”
They talked for almost an hour and prayed together. By the end of the call, Fernando was at peace with the situation at work and in a good headspace to enjoy this vacation with Sophie and truly explore what lay between them. Last night was uncomfortable but clarifying. Hannah said he had done a soul cleansing, and though painful, it was long overdue.
This morning, he once again ran before dawn and grabbed breakfast at the bakery down the street. The tour group was packing up and heading out this morning, so he waited patiently for Sophie’s alarm to go off before offering her breakfast. She opened the door in her robe. This time, it wasn’t even tied closed, revealing an oversized t-shirt and shorts.
Her hand shot out. “Co-ff-ee,” she moaned .
Fernando handed over the still-steaming brew and laughed softly at her morning manners. “You really aren’t a morning person, are you?”
“No!” she hollered, closing the door and proceeding with her morning routine. An hour later, she was perfectly put together and packed, rolling her plum purple luggage into his room and claiming the only armchair.
“Are you ready to head out? The bus pulls out in thirty minutes, but I don’t want to be the last one down.”
“Ready. We’re going to have to take the elevator separately. We will never fit in it with bags. You go first, and I will follow. Oh, I grabbed you another cornetto.”
“Mm, these are so good. I’m going to be fifty pounds heavier when we get home if I keep eating like this!”
“But it will be fun,” he teased.
“It’s always more fun putting the pounds on than taking them off,” she whined.
“I will have a treadmill put in your office so you can take running breaks,” he offered.
“No thanks. I like my knees too much. Now, a pool. That would make for some great exercise. Ever swam laps?” she inquired as they walked down the hall.
“Yes, actually. We had a YMCA in our town, and I was a lifeguard for a short time. Never swam in school; I was more of the chess team type.”
Stepping onto the elevator and punching the button, she added, “Of course you were. See you downstairs.”
In no time at all, they were loaded onto the large Grey Hound-style charter bus and headed down the busy streets of Rome, heading out of town. The tour guide pointed out various landmarks as they passed, giving a brief history for those who had just arrived and not had time to explore on their own.
About thirty minutes into the journey, the bustling city gave way to the Italian countryside with rolling hills, lush vineyards, and charming farmhouses. The scenery was stunning, with the rising sun casting golden hues over the landscape.
Halfway through the three-hour journey, the bus stopped at a quaint countryside café so the group could stretch their legs, use the restroom, and grab a quick traditional Italian breakfast for those who slept in and missed the morning meal. Freshly baked cornettos, rich espresso, and the smell of citrus from nearby lemon trees created a perfect start to the day. The sound of birds chirping and a light breeze added to the peaceful ambiance.
“I could move here in a heartbeat,” Sophie said with a sigh, taking in the beauty surrounding her as she sipped a fresh cappuccino.
“Me too. It’s like a whole other world compared to the hustle and bustle of the city we are used to. L.A. might not be New York City, but it can’t compare to the tranquility found here,” Fernando added thoughtfully, placing his arm around Sophie’s waist as one of the elderly couples from their tour exited the building.
“Aren’t you two just so cute,” a woman named Tabbitha, who couldn’t be a day under eighty, cooed as she walked by. “Enjoy the love that blooms in your youth; you only get it once.” She patted Fernando’s arm as she made her way past them to reclaim her seat on the bus.
“Soph, I’ve noticed a distinct age difference between us and the other tour guests. Care to explain.”
Sophie turned her innocent gray eyes up to meet his warm brown ones and smiled triumphantly. “I’m a genius. What can I say? You wanted to travel incognito, so who better to be normal with than a bunch of senior citizens? Either they have no idea who you are, or they won’t care. Either way, win!
“You booked us on a geriatric tour?” His stunned face made her laugh.
“Yep. Would you have preferred I scheduled you on the Flirting with Fettuccine or Murder this area is famous for producing some of Italy’s finest wines, including the robust Aglianico and the aromatic Falanghina.
To your right, you’ll see the majestic outline of Mount Vesuvius dominating the horizon. This infamous volcano, which erupted in 79 AD, buried Pompeii under a blanket of ash and pumice. It’s quite a sight, isn’t it? A sleeping giant that shaped history.
As we approach the coastline, the sparkling waters of the Tyrrhenian Sea will come into view. On clear days, you might even catch a glimpse of the Sorrento Peninsula jutting out into the sea, a prelude to the Amalfi Coast’s dramatic cliffs and charming villages.
The road ahead will start to wind through quaint towns and villages, each with their own unique charm. Keep an eye out for the traditional Mediterranean architecture with terracotta rooftops, narrow streets, and vibrant bougainvillea cascading over stone walls.
And don’t forget to breathe in the fresh air. You might catch the scent of citrus groves – oranges and lemons are abundant here, contributing to the region’s famed Limoncello liqueur.
This journey is not just about the destination but the sights, sounds, and smells that define this beautiful part of Italy. Enjoy the ride, and get ready to step back in time when we arrive at the ancient city of Pompeii.”
Fernando stood and pushed the large bus window open so he and Sophie could enjoy the fresh breeze. They were sitting at the back of the bus all by themselves, so they didn’t need to worry about bothering anyone with the rush of warm air. Lifting the armrest separating their seats, he offered for Sophie to turn and rest against him so she could see out the window without getting a stiff neck.
They sat this way, enjoying the view of the countryside flashing by for the remainder of the trip. It was relaxing. No innuendo or expectation. Just two friends enjoying an experience together. As Fernando gently held Sophie, he imagined what it would be like to do this on a regular basis. Not as friends but as… more. His brother’s words were playing and replaying in his head. He was enjoying this. He would love to have more of it, but this wasn’t real life; this was a vacation. How would things play out when the stress of the job got involved? Would Sophie consider it if he asked for more than a fake relationship? Gabe said she was already in love with him, but would she be willing to take a step forward, for real? Was it better to let things stay the way they were so that he didn’t risk losing the one person who was single-handedly keeping his world together?
Sweeping the doubts that plagued his mind away, he pressed a gentle kiss to the top of her head. For now, he would be present in the moment and see how things played out. If they were meant to be more, he needed a sign. Otherwise, he was going to be the chicken Julio accused him of being and keep things status quo. Sophie was too precious to him to risk losing.