Chapter 19 #2
I sit on the edge of the bed to put my sandals on and Nick edges past me.
All my nerve endings stand to attention, even though there’s no contact between us.
Buckling my sandal, I watch him go into the bathroom out of the corner of my eye.
Even sleep-rumpled and unwashed, he’s sexy – a walking pheromone.
He lingers at the bathroom door. ‘Uh, Delaney?’
‘Mmm?’ I reply, not daring to look over.
‘When I’m showered, maybe we could talk?’
‘Oh, er,’ I say. ‘I’m actually heading out.’
‘Out?’
‘Yeah, I was gonna get coffee and…’ I trail off because I’m not sure he’ll like the next part of my plan.
‘Okay. Maybe afterwards?’
‘Mm-hmm. For sure.’
He finally closes the door, and I expel a whoosh of air. One of us definitely needs to find someplace else to stay. I’m going to get caffeinated, then find Vittorio and figure this out.
I’ve just stepped outside when my phone chimes. Figuring it’s Megan with another apology – there’s no way Nicholas is up this early – I check it. Only it’s not Megan. It’s a DM from Cherie Johnson:
Hi Delaney. I hope this is you and that it’s okay to contact you out of the blue. Marcus and I really enjoyed meeting you and Nick last night and wondered if you’re free today. We’d love to see you. And if I have the wrong person, sorry!
‘Dear Cherie, congratulations – you found me! The first thing I should tell you is that Nick and I aren’t a couple – we were pretending. And thank you for the invitation, but we’re busy today trying not to jump each other’s bones. Have a good one. Love, Delaney.’
Unfortunately, I say all this out loud and when I get to the floor below, there’s a woman at her door, gawking at me like I’ve sprouted horns.
‘Good morning,’ I say, breezing by. So what if a complete stranger thinks I’m a sex-crazed lunatic?
I get to the lobby and search for Vittorio, but he’s not at his desk yet – it is early – so I head to the coffee shop and order a takeout cappuccino. Nick would probably like one too, I think, so I add his to the order and pay, then wait by the door.
I take out my phone to re-read Cherie’s message.
I did enjoy their company last night – and Nick seemed to as well – but if we see them, we’d have to maintain the pretence that we’re a couple.
And we’re already trudging through what-the-fuck-is-going-on-between-us? quicksand. I’ll let her down easy.
Hi Cherie – it’s the right Delaney! We enjoyed hanging out with you too. Sorry, but we have plans today – we’re off to the limoncello factory for a tour and a tasting. But I hope you have a great day!
‘Signorina.’
I turn and the barista is holding out the coffees.
‘Grazie,’ I say, taking one in each hand.
I walk out into the sunshine, lingering to tip my face to the sun. I close my eyes, basking in the warm rays, and inhale deeply. It smells so good here – like flowers and citrus and the ocean.
My phone chimes again and I set the coffees down on the nearest table.
Oh fantastic! That’s at Liquorificio del Sole, right? We saw that. Looks fun.
I hover my thumb over the keyboard. This is one of those red pill/blue pill moments. How I respond will lead me – and Nick – down one of two paths. And one of those paths we’ll take together.
‘Fuck it.’
That’s the one. Did you want to try and get tix?
I take a sip of my coffee – ah-mazing, as expected – and watch my phone screen intently.
‘Come on, Cherie,’ I say quietly.
I’ve signed us up. See you there. *smiley face emoji*
It’s done. But now I have to get Nick on board. And ignore the angel on my shoulder, who is having a conniption fit. Any second now, she’ll send me to my room without supper.
When I get to the hotel, Vittorio’s at his post, only now I’ve changed trajectories, I don’t need his help.
‘Signorina Cole,’ he calls out.
‘Damn it,’ I mutter under my breath.
I switch on a winsome smile and cross the lobby.
‘Buongiorno,’ I say, ‘Come stai?’
Geez – busting out the Italian like I’m bilingual.
He smiles but it instantly vanishes. ‘I have news.’
‘Oh, have flights resumed out of Naples?’ I ask, my stomach clenching.
If flights have resumed, there’ll be nothing preventing Nick from joining Pippa in Iceland. Other than whatever’s happening between us.
‘No, not yet. But I have somewhere for Signor James. A room – here.’
‘Here?’
‘Sì – it is a smaller room, but it is good, yes?’
My little angel perks up – this is the perfect solution to the close-proximity issue – but my little devil leaps from one shoulder to the other and whacks my little angel on the head, knocking her out cold.
‘Oh, uh – thank you, Vittorio – that’s great but we’re not gonna need it.’
He’s shocked by that – but no more than I am. What the fuck did I just say?
My little devil does a victory dance like she just scored a touchdown.
‘You’re sure?’ he asks, giving me ample opportunity to walk this back.
‘Totally,’ I say. ‘Anyway, I should…’ I hold up Nick’s coffee. ‘Don’t want it to get cold.’
I spin around before he can ask me again if I really, truly want to keep sharing the suite with Nick – because I do, even if it is a terrible idea – then I speed across the lobby and head upstairs.