Page 98 of Beautiful Disaster

“Cute, but I still like the other brown one better. So, did you find out your real birthday?”

He eyes me in the mirror and nods. “Yeah. It’s September 9th. Kind of nice knowing when I was born. Not so much how and why.”

“I’m sorry, Jinx.”

“It’s whatever. Can’t change shit about your past.” He shrugs, then shakes his head at the salesperson. Good, I didn’t like that one on him.

Jinx ends up buying the second leather jacket, and my favorite, for almost 1400 euros. I tried to buy it for him, but he wouldn’t let me. I know he’s got money, but I have no idea how much. It must be substantial for him to pay for half of that estate. It’s clear that Julien has been very generous.

I stand and rub the leather. It’s incredibly soft and supple. It will last him forever.

“You look absolutely handsome in this, Precious.”

He smiles shyly. “Thanks.”

“Ready to head back? They’re expecting us for dinner at the castle. And we have to be up early in the morning to take the train to Vernazza.”

“Can’t wait!”

When we step outside, the sky is starting to cloud over, with a threat of rain. Jinx presses his hand to my chest to stop me from walking. “I meant what I said. I can pay for half of that house. It could be an awesome investment.”

The side street isn’t crowded here, so I dip down to brush my lips against his. “It’s something to consider. We still need to talk about it.”

The fact that he wants to invest in something with me will tie us together indefinitely. It’s a promise that he wants forever as much as I do. It’s definitely something I’d like to consider.

The day was amazing. My heart was at ease despite the stresses back home. Jinx made me forget and focus on him and the present. He makes me excited to see life through fresh eyes. It doesn’t take much to envision happiness with him, no matter what happens.

Chapter 28

Jinx

Italy was amazing. I want to go back again and again to explore all of it. Maybe we can even visit Spain or Portugal. I’d love to spend time by the Mediterranean Sea during the summer months when it’s hot. Now to get over my fear of flying…

Vernazza was amazing, too. The water was so deep blue and crystal clear. I loved the colorful buildings on the cliffside. We visited all five fishing villages, but Vernazza was where we stayed. When it was over, we flew out of Milan and back home.

While I loved our vacation, it’s nice to be back. I missed Waffle and riding her. I wear my new jacket and cowboy hat Mason got me for Christmas as I stretch her legs, running her along the trail by the river, my absolute favorite. It’s freeing, feeling the cold air rush through me, the fresh air cleansing my lungs, and the sun turning everything bright.

As we trot through a wooded area, I pull the scarf over my face, now shivering. When we reach my spot, I jump off Waffle. I tie her reins to a low-hanging tree branch and grab a few rocks by the riverbank. The water is rushing from melting snow, clear and clean. You can see the brown and rainbow trout swimming around.

I hold my arm over my head and back before tossing the rock as far as I can across the river. I usually come out here if I need to think, but my brain has been really quiet lately. For the first time, I’m truly thinking about a future beyond college and a potential career. I’m finally daring to dream about a life with love.

Tonight, when I see Mason again, I’ll remind him that I have the money to invest in that property in Siena. I really want it. We could fix it up together, and I’ve learned a lot about house repairs and shit since living here. Julien hires out for the hard stuff, like electrical or plumbing, but we try to do most of it ourselves. He didn’t want us relying on money alone. We’ve also been learning to invest.

I have enough money to buy it myself, but I’d like to go in with Mason and have a place that’s all ours. I want to show him that I belong to him, and he belongs to me.

Before I can throw another rock, my phone buzzes in my jacket pocket. I pull it out to read a message from Mason.

Daddy: Are you ready to be good for me tonight?

Me: More than ready.

Daddy: I miss you already.

I smile at that. It was hard to leave him to come back home after spending every waking moment together for a week in Italy.

Me: I fucking miss you, too.

Yeah, I swore on purpose.