His words touched a deep place inside me, and I found myself nodding. As much as I wanted to fight the decision, I knew he was right. I hugged myself tight for comfort. “What are the new rules? Can we still write?”
His jaw locked. “It’s better if we don’t. Let’s allow some space and see where we are at the end of your senior year. If we still feel the same, we can begin to plan our lives together.”
“And if not?” A touch of bitterness leaked into my voice. “If you’re the one who finds a woman who’s better suited to you? If you fall in love with someone else and forget about me?”
His eyes softened. “We vow honesty to each other either way. No matter how difficult.”
Frustration welled up. “I hate it.”
He stepped forward to take me into his arms. I folded myself into his embrace and clung tight. “Me too. But we need this, Livia.”
“What if something happens and I need to speak with you?”
He pressed his lips to my ear and caused a shiver. “I will be here for you. Forever. No matter what happens, even if we break up, even if you love another. My heart will never close off to you. Will you remember that?”
A sob caught in the back of my throat. “Yes. But I’m not going anywhere.”
And I reached for him, tired of trying to prove my feelings, refusing to say goodbye like two star-crossed lovers in a movie. I kissed him with everything I had, and he kissed me back. We sank to the blanket and I pushed every doubt from my mind as I let my body show him where words failed.
Two weeks later, I said goodbye for the final time to embark on my senior year. My plan was simple: return to Rafe and prove we were meant to be together. I needed to believe that we’d work things out and compromise so we both got what we needed. I was determined to show the world that love could conquer anything, including age, time, and distance. I would stay true. I wouldn’t make any mistakes or missteps.
Looking back, I realized it had always been more complicated than a simple decision or holding tight to an image that was more dream than reality.
Looking back, I realized how very wrong I was.
chapter twenty-three
Bailey
When they sat down and got settled at Adamo ed Eva—a glorious restaurant set above the cliffs—Bailey realized she might never be able to go back to Taco Bell again.
Like . . . ever.
The clean white square tables, colorful flowers, and stunning sunset view seemed to bring her to a whole new level of sensory awareness. They sat on a panoramic terrace where the buildings embedded in the cliffs felt close enough to touch. She was always conscious of her body and sexuality—it was a part of who she was and used well in her acting and creative pursuits. But the pure sensuousness of Italy, the stripping down of everything but simple pleasures in sight, taste, sound, and texture—forced her to surrender to a strange mix of emotions she’d never truly recognized.
Perhaps it was being here with her sisters. The hike this morning had been transformational, not only for Pris but for her. She’d finally felt bonded again with her sister. It was a heady feeling. Sure, the tumble down the hill had been disastrous, but she hadn’t been hurt anywhere but her pride.
If only Dev still didn’t smirk at her each time their gazes met. Unfortunately, her sister had a long memory.
Hawke announced he was buying dinner and would have no protests. “I get to dine with three beautiful women, so I’m the winner here,” he said. His tone held no cheesiness or false element, so she valued the compliment. Dressed in a beautiful white linen suit, he struck her as a native, with the brimmed hat tilted low on his head, giving him a sexy vibe.
She wondered if she’d start an affair with him. Of course, they only had two days left, so it would be more of a two-night stand.
Bailey wasn’t sure. There was a good energy between them, but something bothered her. Until she figured out what it was, she wouldn’t make a move.
They ordered a bottle of white wine and an assortment of fish and started off with tagliarini pasta. The delicate noodles and light sauce made the fruity wine sing. Bailey fell into foodie heaven while they chatted and caught him up on the details of the hike. Thank God, Dev left out the embarrassing part, but of course she couldn’t help the gleam of glee flashing in her eyes.
“What’s left on your agenda?” he asked, expertly twirling his noodles and spearing them into his mouth neatly. “Any last-moment requests I can help with?”
“We haven’t gotten to the beach yet,” Pris said. “I’d like to do that tomorrow.”
“I have that scheduled for Friday so we can spend our last full day in complete relaxation,” Dev said. “We still have the boat ride to the Blue Grotto and tour of Capri.”
“Spiaggia Grande is the main beach here, of course. But I’d recommend seeing something a bit less crowded. Fornillo is a great beach and not jammed with every other tourist.”
“Oh, I love that idea,” Bailey said. “We’re doing the necessary sights, but I always prefer getting an inside look at an area.”
“We don’t have much time,” Dev pointed out. “Or I would have added that to our schedule.”
Hawke grinned, his eyes sparkling with humor. “You should extend your stay,” he said.
“We have our return tickets already,” Dev said. Bailey almost groaned at the prim tone of her sister’s voice. She was the absolute worst at doing anything that was even slightly impulsive. It was exhausting. She didn’t want Dev to miss out on amazing opportunities because of the stick up her butt.
“We could always change them to a later date,” Pris said, blotting her mouth with a napkin. “If we wanted to.”
Dev looked up in surprise, but her response was cut off by the arrival of their food. Grilled octopus resting in a tangy olive sauce, topped with fresh greens. Sea bass on a bed of mashed spinach, drizzled with fragrant oils, sun-dried tomatoes, and fingerling potatoes. Giant prawns overflowing the plate, their shells still steaming, the scents of lemon and butter drifting to her nostrils.
They looked at the food with pure reverence.
Then feasted.
“Dev mentioned you wanted to talk more in detail about my uncle,” Hawke said.
Bailey glanced at the tote bag slung over the arm of Pris’s chair. All Mom’s love letters were ready to be revealed as proof. They were all hoping that with more details, they’d be able to confirm Raymond was the guy. It seemed like everything pointed in that direction, but still her heart beat frantically at the idea of finally getting close to solving the mystery.
Pris took the lead. “Yes. Dev explained you were speaking about your uncle, who lived next door with your dad. I know we’ve been kind of mysterious, but we actually came here to track down someone our mom was close with. His name began with R.”