“Livia?”
“Yeah?”
His voice sounded hesitant. “What if I feel more than friendship?”
My heart ratcheted to a rapid pace. This time, I refused to hesitate. This time, I’d jump right in and take the chance. “I’d like it.”
He let out a soft puff of air. “I don’t want to mess up. I like this. It’s been a long time since I felt this way about someone.”
“Me too. But I don’t want to pretend either.”
“We only have the summer. I don’t want anyone to get hurt.”
I knew I wanted to see what happened and not care about consequences. But he was right. I only had a month left and then I wouldn’t see him again. If we defined this differently, it could be heartbreak for both of us. “Neither do I,” I said softly.
“What if we see what happens but don’t rush? Be friends for now. I don’t want to lose that by trying for more too soon.”
My insides lit up and I smiled in the darkness. “I like that.”
“Good. Friends?”
“Friends.”
Our pinkies brushed. Slowly, he tangled his fingers in mine and we lay looking at the stars, holding hands, and thinking of possibilities.
chapter nine
Pris
The moment her gaze took in the magical house wedged into the hillside, Pris experienced a sharp sense of déjà vu, as if she’d been here ages ago and was now rediscovering a place she’d once been.
The sunny yellow paint with bright blue shutters, sloping roof, and spill of wild surrounding gardens coaxed an instant smile to her lips. The July afternoon was hot and sunny. Sweat pooled under her armpits from the steep climb, as she lugged her lone suitcase while listening to Devon bitch nonstop regarding the lack of help, the sting of the sun, and the long flight.
But as she stood here, her gaze sweeping past the fall of fuchsia bougainvillea that clung to the structure, the lemon trees giving off the delicious waft of citrus, and the magnificent view of Positano from their perch, all her discomfort drifted away.
“Thank God, we’re finally here!” Devon announced, dropping her bag to the ground. “Wow, what a view. And it looks nicely kept, so the lawyer hired someone decent for maintenance.”
They’d tracked down the lawyer from the envelope that held the deed. Dev learned there was a small amount of money set aside for monthly expenses to a keeper who made sure the cottage was well-kept and maintained. Pris couldn’t believe it had been vacant for all those years, held by her mother but never shared. Why? Hadn’t Mom felt the pull to come back or bring her daughters to Italy?
The lawyer couldn’t give them much more information. Pris figured it was up to them to gain the details.
Dev marched to the left flowerpot, dug around, and fished out the key. “We’re definitely not in New York anymore,” she said, opening up the door. “I doubt anyone would want to rob any of the houses up here. Not worth the effort of the climb.”
Bailey was circling around, her arms flung out. “This is so beautiful,” she whispered. “It’s like a dream.”
Pris agreed but kept quiet. The trip had been stressful, full of last-minute doubts and worries about leaving her husband, and about the things she’d discover here. The continued snark between Dev and Bailey only ratcheted up the tension. She didn’t know how they’d spend a week cramped all together. It was as if they’d once been a unit, and now each of them had no idea how to work with the other.
“There’s only two bedrooms,” Dev called out. “Who’s taking the couch?”
“I will,” Bailey said, following them both in. “Maybe one night I’ll sleep outside in the garden under the stars.”
Dev shuddered. “And wake up with giant bug bites all over your body? Whatever floats your boat.”
Bailey shot her an exasperated look and began poking around. “I love the décor. All that hand-painted tile, watercolor paintings, and tapestry. The bedrooms have their own private balcony. Did you see the views?”
“You can have the master, Pris,” Dev said. “It has its own bathroom. Bailey and I can share this one.”
Pris studied the queen-size bed covered by a white lace-stitched quilt and matching pillows. The walls were painted buttercream; a floral throw rug cushioned the hard floor. Light spilled in and the room smelled of sunshine and citrus.
She walked to the balcony and took in the tumble of blue sea, fluffy clouds, and giant yachts in the distance. A tingle fell over her, imagining Mom standing right here, happy in this magical place that seemed so far removed from the daily stresses of normal life.
An image of Garrett rose in her mind, and her heart twisted. What would happen between them? Maybe a break and time apart was best for now. She didn’t want to give up on their marriage, and counseling might be the answer. Yet, something inside her whispered there was a bigger answer.
And it lay with her.
“Pris, come out and have a drink with us,” Bailey called out. “I found a bottle of wine.”
She glanced at the bed longingly. She craved a nap, real food, and quiet. But it’d be good to start the trip with some family bonding. “Okay, I’m in. But then I need to rest.”
Dev deftly uncorked the bottle of red, fished out wineglasses, and poured. “Agreed. I think we should go out for dinner tonight, do light exploring, then seek out our generous neighbor who’s been paid to keep up the house.”
“As long as you’re not scheduling every minute of this week,” Bailey said. “I don’t do well with time charts, remember? Italy is for discovery and adventure.”
Dev stiffened. “Only trying to keep us on track. We have limited time before we need to get back to our responsibilities.” She directed a pointed look at Bailey. “Some of us, that is. Isn’t your play over?”
“That’s right. I’m gainfully unemployed for now,” Bailey said cheerfully. “Let’s sit in the garden. There’s some chairs out there.”
Pris rolled her eyes, already weary of their bickering. But she followed them out, took a seat, and gave a sigh of relief. Her legs still smarted from the climb. She stretched them out and sipped the wine. The fruity taste of blackberry and spice slid over her tongue. “What’s the name of the maintenance guy?” she asked.
“The lawyer sent me his contact info,” Dev said, fishing out her phone. “He’s a long-term resident and knew Aunt Silvia well. I just can’t believe we had this cool aunt in our family and Mom never even mentioned her.”