Chapter Twenty-Three Ella
Chapter Twenty-Three
Ella
The next morning, I don’t get out of bed until eleven o’clock, the need for sleep more pressing than whatever is on today’s itinerary.
Of course, the moment I wake up, memories of Tiero’s mouth on mine invade my mind.
The way he’d held my face. The heat of him. The way I almost—
Argh.
He’s imprinted himself in my head already.
I’m surprised Rhia hasn’t jumped on my bed yet to interrogate me about last night.
When I venture into her room, I find out why. She hasn’t returned from her night out. Further explorations of Mount Etna will have to wait.
Suits me.
I need a slow day.
I spot Zoe on her terrace, stretched out on a lounger with oversized sunglasses covering her eyes.
“Hey, Zo. Mind if I join you?”
“Not at all. Though I’m too tired to talk,” she says, yawning.
“Same here.” I tilt the umbrella to block the full sun and stretch out on the other lounger. “You went out last night?”
“Hmm.” That’s all I get.
I wonder if she had another wild night with Mateo and Romeo. She has that unmistakable glow about her. So much for not having sex for a while. I knew she wouldn’t last. I’ll get the details later.
We drift in and out of sleep, the squawk of seagulls and the distant laughter from the pool below blending into white noise.
Zoe must be completely wiped out. She hasn’t even asked where her sister is. Two full nights of sexcapades will do that to a girl.
“Let’s order breakfast,” Zoe says eventually. “I need food.”
“Great idea. I’ll have an omelet. Can you check if they’ll make it with bell pepper, parsnip, and kale?”
“Who puts parsnip in an omelet?” she mutters.
It’s unusual, I know. But my dad and I used to make it that way on Sundays, standing shoulder to shoulder in the kitchen, arguing about how much salt was too much. Ordering it now is my quiet way of keeping him close.
“It’s your turn to order,” Zoe mumbles. Neither of us makes a move to get up.
I don’t even open my eyes. “Not true. I called room service in Palermo.”
“Dammit.” She yawns loudly. “Rock, paper, scissors. Best of three.” She rolls onto her side to face me.
“Fine.” She must’ve forgotten I always win. Two rounds later, I do, and I can’t help the smug smile spreading across my face.
Zoe groans but pushes herself up and heads inside. She walks carefully, each step deliberate.
“Don’t forget my licorice tea,” I call after her.
I hear Zoe inside placing our order. I stretch like a cat after a long nap, and a loud rumble erupts from my stomach. It startles even me. I press a hand to my belly, half embarrassed, and glance toward the neighboring balconies to see if anyone noticed.
They’re all empty.
No towels draped over chairs. No umbrellas open. No movement.
It’s odd, especially when the floors above and below seem busy enough.
When Zoe returns, I ask, “Have you noticed we’re the only ones on this floor?”
She squints around, then shrugs and carefully lowers herself back onto the lounger. “Maybe they’re doing renovations?”
“In peak tourist season? That would be stupid.”
“Does it matter?” she asks, already closing her eyes again.
I hesitate for a second longer than necessary.
“I guess not. At least it’s nice and quiet.” I settle back and follow her lead, drifting off until a knock sounds at the door.
“Food’s here. I ordered, you get the door,” Zoe mumbles, still half asleep.
We’re halfway through breakfast when an exuberant Rhia appears in the balcony doorway.
“I want to get married,” she announces without so much as a hello.
That gets Zoe’s attention. She spits out her juice.
“What? Are you insane?”
“That’s wonderful,” I say at the same time. “What brought this on?”
Rhia drops into the chair beside me, practically vibrating with excitement.
“I can’t imagine being with anyone else. Ever. I want to spend the rest of my life with Lex. And I want the rest of the world to know he’s mine and mine alone. I want that ring on his finger telling every woman out there he’s taken.”
“Good night then?” I tease.
“The best,” she sighs dreamily.
Zoe stares at her like she’s grown a second head. “You cannot be serious. You used to say commitment was a trap. Now you want to volunteer for life imprisonment?”
Rhia rolls her eyes. “That was before Lex.”
Zoe snorts. She has no idea what it feels like to be that gone for someone. But her time will come. Sooner or later she’ll trade variety for devotion. I just hope I beat her to the altar.
“Are you going to propose?” I ask. “Last I checked, you were both very clear you didn’t need a piece of paper.”
“I might,” Rhia says, eyes sparkling. “Remember the setup when Lex told me he loved me the first time?”
“How could anyone forget? That was peak romance. Swoon-level.”
“You two are disgusting,” Zoe mutters. We ignore her.
“I’m going to do something bigger,” Rhia continues. “Something that knocks him off his feet. We need ideas. It’s a shame our anniversary just passed. That would’ve been perfect.”
“Except you weren’t even in the same place,” Zoe points out.
“Actually,” Rhia says, grinning, “we were.”
“What?” Zoe and I say in unison.
“It was the best surprise.”
“Where is he?” Zoe asks suspiciously, scanning the balcony doorway.
As if summoned, Lex steps outside.
Rhia’s entire face lights up.
“Lex!” I jump up to hug him. “Did you time that entrance?”
He looks genuinely confused. “Time what?”
“Why didn’t you come up with Rhia?” Zoe asks, peering at him over her sunglasses.
“I had to meet someone in the lobby,” he says easily. “How are you, Zoe?”
“Thriving. Single life is undefeated.”
“Been there,” Lex says, pulling Rhia into him and kissing her hard enough to make a point. “Done that.”
Zoe makes a noise of disgust.
“How long are you staying?” I ask.
“I’m not,” he replies. “I’m leaving in two minutes. Flight back to South America. I just came to drop off my girl. I’m technically not supposed to be here.”
Rhia beams up at him. “He broke protocol to be with me on our anniversary.”
I raise my brows. “That’s serious. You won’t get in trouble?”
“If he does, I made it worth his while,” Rhia replies cheekily.
Lex grins but shrugs. “It’s my last assignment anyway. I’m switching jobs.”
Rhia turns in his arms and hugs him tighter. “Don’t go yet,” she says softly, brushing her nose against his.
“I have to, trouble. The plane’s waiting. Behave until I’m back.”
They fall into another kiss, slower this time, deeper. It’s getting intense enough that I clear my throat.
“Bye, trouble.” Lex steps back. “Bye, girls.”
“Wait,” Rhia calls, and he pauses. “I have an anniversary present for you.”
“I got my present last night,” he says with a wicked grin.
“Yes, you did. But this one you can take with you. It’s in the car. I’ll walk you down.”
He holds out his hand. She takes it instantly.
The ease between them. The way he looks at her like she’s the only person in the world. The way she fits against him without hesitation.
That kind of certainty.
I want that.
Badly.