Page 106 of Jude

‘She’s familiar, though. Nari loves Italian soap operas, and she swears Sofia resembles one of the stars. We were debating it last night, but we can’t find any of the clips online. Must be older shows.’

I arched a brow, wanting to ask more, but the thought evaporated the moment Sofia turned and walked over to us.

She slid her arms around my neck, and I leaned down to kiss her temple, the delicious glide of her skin and the scent of her perfume snatching every remaining thought from my mind.

I missed her the second our schedules split, and spent my entire set waiting for the house lights to rise so I could get to her.

While forever with Sofia was still out with the jury, my growing respect and admiration for her ratcheted up, as did my attraction.

Perhaps it was time to push the boundaries and see what came of it.

We wrapped up in France and made our way to Italy.

Rome hit us with Mediterranean heat, the air carrying notes of sun-baked pine and warm stone.

We were staying at the Soho Rome Hotel, and with two days before our first show, Sofia and I kicked off with a leisurely late breakfast.

One of espresso and maritozzo, a soft Roman bun split and filled with whipped cream, pure indulgence and a local favorite.

We sat on the terrace where I poured and slid a coffee her way.

I leaned back with my cup in my hand, my eyes locked onto hers.

‘How are you holding up, babe? How does it feel being back home?’

Sofia set her cup down, taking a quiet breath.

‘I’m doing OK,’ she murmured, offering me a genuine smile. ‘Honestly, I was terrified at first, but after everything you said, I feel safe with you, Jude. The fear isn’t choking me anymore. I wish I had enough time to take a train down south to Calabria to see Anya, but I don’t think there’s time for a side visit on this schedule. Next time, perhaps. However, let’s please send her a ton of your merch and all your vinyl albums, turns out she’s a massive Six Sinners fan.’

I grinned.

‘I’ll get Nari on it; just send me an address.’

The past twenty-four hours had been a revelation.

Back in the States, Sofia was soft-spoken, navigating the world in her second language. But the second we landed in Rome, she transformed.

It knocked the wind right out of me to hear her speak Italian.

The smooth, melodic cadence of her native tongue rolled off her lips as she chatted with the hotel staff, joked with the concierge, and thanked the servers with a breathtaking, natural grace that left me mesmerized.

It only added to her allure. I wanted to get all in with her.

‘We’ve two days before the first Italian concert. Want to spend the next two days with me?’

The instant joy on her face and her excited nod had me chuckling.

‘I can’t wait,’ she said, her fingers sliding across the table to find mine. ‘Let’s see the sights, Jude.’

We spent the next hours getting lost in the city’s labyrinthine streets.

We hit the winding streets of the Appian Way, and I guided her through the arches of the Colosseum; her eyes widened as she took in the history.

‘This is incredible,’ she whispered, leaning back against my shoulder in the ruins.

I wrapped an arm around her, pulling her close.

‘It really is,’ I muttered, glad to see her smile.