THIRTY
When I woke up, the first thing I noticed was the emptiness beside me. The sheets were still warm, faintly scented with Luca, and I vaguely recalled him leaning down to kiss my temple before he whispered, “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
The memory was hazy, softened by sleep, but it wasn’t unwelcome. I wasn’t worried.
I promised myself I wouldn’t make this more complicated than it needed to be. Whatever this was—whatever we were—it didn’t need labels or expectations. That was part of the charm, wasn’t it? It could stay easy, unburdened. Business as usual.
Besides, I had breakfast with Alessandro to look forward to, though I was almost certain my mother had sent him to check up on me. She had a knack for hovering from a distance, her concern masquerading as casual curiosity. My independence had always been a point of pride for her, but I knew it also drove her crazy. She loved that I was fearless enough to travel alone, yet it kept her awake at night.
I rolled out of bed and made quick work of getting ready, pulling on a breezy white dress and running a brush through my hair. By the time I made it down to the café Alessandro had suggested, he was already seated, a newspaper folded beside his coffee. He even wore readers and how he made those still look great, I’ll never understand. He was always Insta picture ready.
“Charlie,”
he greeted with a smile as I slid into the chair across from him. “You look well-rested. Amalfi suits you.”
“Flattery this early? I’m impressed,”
I teased, flagging the waiter for a cappuccino.
He chuckled, his eyes sparkling with that familiar mix of warmth and mischief. “It’s not flattery if it’s true. How’s the trip so far?”
“Perfect,”
I said honestly. “I’ve been soaking it all in—food, scenery, the wine.”
“Is that all,”
he insinuated.
“Do you have something to say, mister,”
I teased, making sure he understood my personal life, or whatever he was trying to infiltrate, was not open to discussion.
We chatted easily, catching up on everything from his latest business ventures to the inevitable topic of my mother. Alessandro confirmed my suspicions, admitting she’d sent him to “check in.”
“She worries, you know,”
he said, not unkindly.
“She always has,”
I said, shrugging. “But I’m fine. Really.”
Alessandro studied me for a moment, then nodded. “I believe you. And I’ll make sure she knows you’re doing just fine.”
We said quick goodbye and hope to meet up in Santorini for a day when Lena visited. Alessandro and Lena caused trouble together, but it was always entertaining and fun. I looked forward to it.
After breakfast, I headed back to my room, humming softly as I packed a bag for the beach. I tossed in sunscreen, a book, and a light scarf, imagining the sun on my skin and the sound of the waves.
Today, I would be free. I wasn’t going to let myself overthink anything—not Luca, not Alessandro’s subtle probing, not my mother’s constant concern. Today was for me. For sun, for sand, for letting the world fall away for a little while.
I’ve been in motion for what feels like forever—always working, always thinking, always planning. But today, I decided it was time to just… stop. A day at the beach was mandatory. No emails. No calls. Just me, the sand, and the sun. I spread out my towel and settled in, feeling the warm Mediterranean breeze kiss my skin as I stretched out, turning a page of my book.
The gentle lull of the waves was hypnotic, each crash against the shore pulling me further into the moment. The soft hum of conversations around me faded, and I let the world slip away. The sun’s warmth on my skin soothed my nerves, melting away the constant ache of constant motion and responsibility.
Looking out into the water, I felt a peace I hadn’t known in so long. It was as if I could finally release all the hurt I’d tucked away—compartmentalized and buried beneath layers of business and tasks. There was something about the endless horizon, the vast ocean stretching before me, that made everything seem… smaller. Like all the things I’d worried about didn’t matter anymore. They really didn’t.
I could just enjoy the moment. I could enjoy Luca, even if I knew it was fleeting. He was on my mind constantly, but for the first time, I decided it was okay to let myself feel this. To feel all the passion, the excitement, and the connection that came with him.
At almost 30, that was something I hadn’t allowed myself to experience before. There were so many things I had missed. I should have been living for these feelings when I was younger, but I’d spent too much time protecting myself from the very things I craved. Now, with someone like Luca, I didn’t want to close myself off. I wanted to feel it all, even if it was just for a short while.
I got up to chat with some locals lounging nearby. The talked with an older man with a sun-kissed tan and a crooked smile. I laughed, enjoying the moment of flirty banter, letting myself stay fully present—something I rarely did. He was impressed with my Italian and hate how Americans never knew the language but still spent holidays here. Old School but I understood. There was no pressure, no expectation. Just the feeling of the sun on my skin, the sound of laughter, and the gentle rhythm of the ocean.
As I walked toward the beach bar to grab a drink, I caught sight of Luca, leaning against the counter. The way his eyes met mine made my pulse quicken, a warmth spreading through me. He smiled, his face lighting up as he pushed off from the bar.
“I texted you. I’m sorry about last night,”
he began, his voice sincere.
I shook my head, refusing to let him apologize again. “I left my phone in the room. No problem at all. Never apologize—I understand.”
He took a step closer, eyes glimmering with something unspoken. “Then can I make it up to you? How about dinner tonight?”
I hesitated for a moment, the image of Sophie popped into my mind. “I actually have plans with Sophie. I just saw her in the lobby after my breakfast with Alessandro.”
Luca’s smile grew wider, that mischievous glint in his eyes sparking again, “How much time do I have with you?”
“A few hours.”
“I can definitely work with that,”
he growled.
The sound of the waves mingled with the clinking of glasses and the low hum of conversation around the beach bar. Luca ordered us drinks, a spritz for me and something strong and amber-colored for himself. When he handed me my glass, his fingers brushed mine, lingering just long enough to make my skin tingle.
“So,”
I began, leaning against the bar, “what’s your big plan for the next few hours? You seem awfully confident you can make the most of it.”
Luca smirked, the kind of smile that sent heat coursing through me. “I’m Italian, Charlie. We’re masters of making the most out of limited time.”
I arched a brow, taking a sip of my drink. “Is that so? You going to charm me into oblivion before Sophie whisks me away?”
“Oblivion?”
he repeated, his grin deepening. “That’s a challenge I might accept. I can probably manage that.”
We found a pair of lounge chairs by the water and sank into them, the drinks making everything a little lighter, a little looser. Luca had a way of making me forget the world beyond this beach. He told me stories of his childhood, his brothers, and a near-disastrous family fishing trip that ended with him covered in mud and his mother chasing them all with a broom.
I laughed, almost choking on my spritz. “You? Covered in mud? I can’t picture it.”
He leaned closer, his voice dropping just enough to make my pulse race. “You’d be surprised how far I’m willing to go to win.”
The sun dipped lower as we talked, the conversation shifting into something softer, more personal. I couldn’t stop myself from leaning into him, from letting the warmth of his presence wrap around me.
When he finally took my hand, his touch was sure, but there was a hesitation in his eyes, like he was asking a question without words. I answered by standing and letting him lead me back to my room.
The room was bathed in golden light, the sun setting just beyond the balcony. Luca’s hands were on me before the door clicked shut, his touch both urgent and tender. I let myself get lost in him, in the way he kissed me, the way he made me feel like the only thing in the world that mattered.
When it was over, I lay there for a moment, catching my breath as Luca propped himself up on one elbow, his fingers trailing lazily across my arm.
“I like this,”
he murmured, his voice low and rough.
I laughed softly, sitting up and reaching for my dress. “Don’t. You’ll spoil the fun.”
He chuckled, pulling me back for one more lingering kiss before I slipped away. “Have fun with Sophie,”
he said, his tone both playful and serious.
“I’d invite you, but you’d be bored anyway.”
“Doubtful,”
he murmured, stepping closer. “But I have to head out too. Last flight to Milan for the conference.”
“Ah, yes. The conference,”
I said, spinning to face him. “You’re so responsible, Luca. Should I be impressed?”
He chuckled, closing the distance between us. “You could at least pretend to be.”
For a moment, the air between us stilled. My heart skipped, as it always seemed to with him. But the uncertainty crept in, a small voice reminding me we hadn’t defined anything, hadn’t planned for what came next.
“So…”
I started, feeling the weight of the unspoken between us. “What happens now?”
His fingers tightened slightly, as if he wasn’t quite ready to let go. “Perhaps, we see each other again. After the conference.”
I searched his face for something more concrete, but I found only sincerity. It was enough, or at least, I wanted it to be.
“Safe flight, then,”
I said softly.
“And you—don’t get into too much trouble tonight.”
I laughed, stepping out of his hold and grabbing my bag. “No promises.”
He watched me as I slipped on my heels, his gaze warm and lingering. At the door, I turned back, giving him one last look.
“Goodbye, Luca,”
I said, my voice steady, though my chest felt anything but.
“Ciao, Charlie,”
he replied, his voice just above a whisper.
As I walked down the hall, I didn’t let myself look back, though I felt his presence behind me like a shadow. What happens next? I didn’t know. But as I headed out to meet Sophie, I told myself not to think too hard about it. Tonight was about the moment—and for now, that was enough.
I left him there, the heat still lingering on my skin as I stepped out into the night air.
Sophie was waiting for me in the lobby, her sharp eyes narrowing playfully the moment she saw me. “You’re late. And why are your cheeks so red? Wait, don’t answer that. I already know.”
I rolled my eyes, laughing as I linked my arm through hers. “Let’s just say I had a good afternoon.”
She grinned wickedly. “I’d expect nothing less. Now, come on, we’re going to that little jazz bar I told you about. Live music, good wine, and maybe a few handsome strangers for me.”
“And for me,”
I feigned shock, putting my hand on my chest.
“Okay,”
she teased, not believing me at all.
The streets were alive with music and laughter as we made our way to the bar. Sophie was in her element, talking about the band and the wine she wanted to try, but my thoughts strayed for just a flicker of a moment—back to Luca, to the way he looked at me like I was his favorite secret.
The dim glow of the jazz bar’s lights reflected in Sophie’s glass as she swirled her wine, her sharp eyes softening as she looked at me. We’d been laughing about the eccentric saxophone player’s antics, but her expression shifted as the music slowed into a sultry melody.
“You know,”
she began, setting her glass down, “I can’t believe it’s only been a week. It feels like I’ve known you forever.”
I smiled, touched by her sincerity. “Is that your way of saying I’m unforgettable?”
Sophie rolled her eyes, but her grin gave her away. “Don’t get cocky. But, seriously, I’m going to miss you, Charlie. You’ve got this way about you—like you’re always chasing the next adventure, and somehow you drag everyone along with you, whether they’re ready or not.”
Her words settled over me, warm and heavy. “I could say the same about you,”
I said, nudging her with my elbow. “You’re impossible to resist, Sophie. Your energy is contagious.”
She laughed, shaking her head. “I’m serious, though. You’ve reminded me of something I forgot about myself—that it’s okay to let go and enjoy life a little. Even if it’s just a drink, a dance, or a ridiculously attractive man.”
I raised my glass, clinking it against hers. “To drinks, dances, and ridiculously attractive men.”
Sophie smirked, her voice dropping into a mock whisper. “And to you not forgetting about me when you’re off gallivanting with Mr. Italian Dreamboat.”
I laughed, shaking my head. “I could never forget you, Sophie. But I’m still here now—plenty of time for us to cause trouble.”
“Damn right,”
she said, raising her glass with a wicked grin. But as the night wore on, her words stayed with me, wrapping themselves around the flickering thought that maybe some connections were meant to last longer than a week.
I shook the thought away as we walked into the dimly lit bar, the music washing over us. Tonight was about fun, about being present. But somewhere in the back of my mind, Luca’s voice lingered, a quiet hum I couldn’t quite ignore.