Chapter 31
Lainey
The midday sun casts a golden glow over the cobbled streets of Rome as our group weaves through tourists and street vendors. The city is absolutely breathtaking, and the food is even better.
The train ride here took about an hour and a half, and the sights were unbelievable. I can’t believe that places like this actually exist. Holland and Mason really wanted to go to Venice, but that would have been way too far to travel and we only have one day left here.
Being in Rome is like a fever dream. I can’t believe we’re actually here. My best friend got married, and now we’re walking the streets of Italy. How freaking cool is that?
It’s been difficult trying to keep up this ruse between Holland and me.
I don’t know what we are or what we’re doing.
I do know I don’t want anyone to be suspicious, so I’ve been keeping my distance.
If anyone will somehow notice something’s off between us, it’ll be Haley or Gwen, and Gwen already knows about the airplane kiss.
I don’t need her to think anything else is going on.
Nothing else is going on, right? It’s just some innocent fun. Okay, maybe not so innocent.
Gwen and Ryker walk hand-in-hand ahead of Ellie, Haley, and I, glowing with their gross newlywed joy. Holland, Mason, and Patrick walk in front of the group, leading the way and laughing about something, probably something stupid.
I don’t even know where we’re going. Holland mentioned something he wanted to see and he’s been using the GPS on his phone to lead the way, but I don’t think he knows where he’s going honestly.
It’s chilly out, the slight breeze making me shiver. I guess I should’ve worn a bigger sweatshirt, but I didn’t want to overheat.
“You know, for someone who supposedly speaks fluent Italian, your directions suck,” I call up to Holland who looks at his phone cluelessly.
“He definitely knows no Italian,” Ellie says, rolling her eyes.
“Clearly,” Haley says.
“It’s called scenic detouring. Sorry if your sense of adventure expired with your last overpriced espresso.”
“It was so worth it, though,” I say, smiling as I remember the taste. God, Italy knows coffee.
“Seriously,
Holly. Are we there yet?” Mason asks in a whiny voice.
“In due time, my friend. In due time.”
He has absolutely no idea where he is.
“Ah, there!” he shouts, pointing at a huge building with magnificent statues and a fountain attached.
“The Trevi Fountain.”
“Finally! I feel like we’ve been walking for days,” Mason says dramatically as he leans over the railing.
“Oh my god, it’s beautiful!” Gwen exclaims, walking up to the water and taking in the beauty of it. Turning back to Ryker, she gives him a huge smile. “Do you have a coin?”
“Why would you waste a perfectly good coin by throwing it into a fountain?” Mason asks.
Haley rolls her eyes, and I stifle a laugh. I mean, he’s got a point.
“Because, when you throw a coin into the fountain, it ensures that you’ll visit Rome again one day,” Gwen explains. “The coins get collected and are donated to charity.”
“That’s dumb. Anyway, when are we eating?” Mason asks, slapping a hand down on Holland’s shoulders. Holland shrugs him off.
“We just had Gelato,” Haley remarks.
“Your point? A man can’t be hungry?”
Ignoring their little bicker session, I walk up to the edge of the fountain and watch as tourists throw coins and take pictures. It’s stunning, and the more I stare at it, the more amazing it gets. The fact that this was fountain was built so long ago astounds me.
“Beautiful, isn’t it?” Holland asks. I hadn’t even realized he was next to me; I was so distracted by the architecture.
“It is,” I agree without taking my eyes off the fountain.
I can feel his eyes on me as he stares, making my cheeks heat.
His arm brushes against my shoulder, and that little amount of contact sends a bolt of electricity through my veins.
Stepping away, I watch Ryker take a picture of Gwen in front of the fountain.
She’s glowing, and I couldn’t be happier for my friend. She’s living her best life.
“You look perfect. Better than the fountain,” Ryker tells her. Gwen blushes, smiling at her husband.
“There’s no way anything could be more perfect than this,” she replies, placing a chaste kiss on his lips.
“You literally look like a princess, Gwen,” Ellie tells her, beaming at the couple.
“Gag. Can you two go be happy somewhere else? I’m trying to enjoy the sights,” Haley comments, rolling her eyes. We all chuckle at her attitude. She’s worse than me when it comes to relationships and love. I didn’t think it was possible, but apparently it is.
“Let them be happy, Haley. It’s their wedding week,” Ellie scolds.
“Yeah. Put that sour look away and try to smile for once,” I say, causing her to shoot me a death glare.
“You mean the look you had this morning when you couldn’t find your shoe?”
“Well, maybe if someone didn’t throw it off the balcony—” I say sharply, glaring at the culprit.
“I thought I saw a bug. I was saving you. You should be a little more grateful, honestly,” Holland says, rolling his eyes.
“Grateful? You lost my shoe! Those were my favorite shoes, too.”
“My bad for trying to help,” he replies, throwing his hands up in mock surrender.
“You could have just thrown it at the wall. You didn’t have to shoot it out the freaking window!”
“So my aim was a little off, sue me.”
“Yeah, well your aim's as bad as your sense of direction,” I tell him, crossing my arms over my chest. Our friends have now gathered around us and are looking at us as if we have three heads. I don’t blame them; this argument is ridiculous.
“Did I not get us here?” he asks, gesturing to the fountain.
“Okay,” Ryker cuts in with a laugh, trying to diffuse the moment. “Let’s all remember we’re in the Eternal City. Can we be... less eternal enemies?”
I step past Holland, bumping his shoulder harder than necessary.
“You’re right. I can’t argue with him. His brain is too small to understand anything anyway.”
Holland’s eyes narrow, his lips twitching.
“You know what?” Holland growls, stepping forward suddenly and pushes me, causing me to stumble back. Before I can catch myself, I’m splashing into the fountain.
With a grin and absolutely no remorse, Holland breaks into a cackle. Ellie and Gwen are looking on in horror, while Mason laughs hysterically and Haley looks like this is the most excitement she’s had on this entire trip.
“Well, so much for that,” Ryker says.
“I am going to kill you!” I shriek, water dripping off of me as I clamber out of the water. My clothes cling to me like saran wrap. “Are you insane?!”
“You were overheating. Thought you could use a cool down.”
Dripping, I walk over to Holland who is still laughing as if he is the most hilarious person on the planet. I am seriously going to murder him. Did he think this was going to make me want him more? What exactly did he think he was going to accomplish by pushing me into a freaking fountain?!
“This,” I say, water dripping down my face as I shove my finger into Holland’s chest, “is war.”
Holland grins. “Looking forward to it.”