Chapter 44
ROMEO
As I stood at the bedroom doorway and watched Sammie sleeping, my heart swelled, then sank.
I could not believe that in just a few hours she would be gone.
When we were on my rooftop last night, staring at the stars with her head resting on my shoulder, I realised again that what Victoria said was really true.
I loved Sammie. So much.
When I said that I wanted to make love to her, I meant every word.
She was the one. I was sure of it.
I had finally found my perfect match.
And she was leaving.
Sammie stirred and I strode back over to the bed. I did not want to wake her up, but at the same time, I could not leave without giving her a proper kiss goodbye.
The final morning when guests were leaving was always hectic because I saw each one off personally.
That meant that the only chance I would get to see her would be when her car came to take her to the airport.
And in light of Victoria’s conditions, I could not express myself in front of my colleagues.
It was now or never.
‘Sammie,’ I whispered. ‘I must go now.’
Her eyes opened slowly.
‘What’s the time?’
‘Six-thirty.’
I had only had about two hours’ sleep, but spending the night with Sammie was worth it.
‘Will I see you later?’ she croaked.
‘Only when the chauffeur arrives, so I want to say goodbye to you properly, now. Here.’ I handed her a red book. ‘This is for you.’
‘What is it?’ She frowned.
‘It is our memory book. Just because we were not matched by the hotel, it does not mean that we do not still have important memories.’
In the album I had included a selection of the selfies we had taken together this week. And unlike when I tried to prepare a shortlist of photos for Sammie and Edward, I had many wonderful photos to choose from.
‘This is beautiful!’ she said as she flicked through the pages, then laughed at a selfie of us pulling silly faces on the beach.
‘ You are beautiful.’ I took her head in my hands and kissed her like it was the first time, whilst still hoping that it would not be the last.
Sammie pushed her mouth against mine, our lips crashed hungrily.
The kiss evolved into something softer and deeper. As her fingers raked through my hair, I felt something wet on my cheek and pulled back.
‘ Merda ,’ I said. ‘Do not cry, Sammie. This is not the end. I promise.’ I wiped her cheeks with my thumb. ‘We will speak every day. And we will be together again. Va bene ?’
‘ Va bene ,’ she croaked, her eyes still watering.
Sammie had always shown such a confident, hard exterior, so I knew that being vulnerable around me was a big deal and something that I did not take lightly.
‘I must go, but I will see you later. Do not forget to eat the rest of the pasticciotto for breakfast.’
I kissed her forehead softly, then headed towards the door. Just before I stepped through it, I turned to look at Sammie again.
She was still crying and my heart shattered.
I had told her I would find a way for us to be together again.
I did not know how, but I had promised.
And I would not let her down.