Page 236 of Marcello

“No problem. I hope your guy knows how lucky he is to have you.”

I smiled ruefully. “Me, too.”

“Gotta go – see you tomorrow night.”

“Thanks again.”

“No problem. Ciao.”

And she hung up.

Eugenio looked at me greedily. “I get ten times as much, too – right?”

Fucker.

However, if this worked out, I’d never have to see him again.

“Sure,” I said, then went back to the house.

Once in my room, I pulled out my phone and called Romeo. After two rings, it went to voicemail.

My stomach twisted up in knots.

Please God – please let him be okay…

“Hey,” I said, “I worked something out for tomorrow night. Call me back.”

Before I could hide the phone again, he texted back.

GREAT! I’ll talk to you tomorrow!

My heart leapt – but I was still nervous.

Are you okay? I texted back.

Totally okay now that you’re coming with me. Just can’t talk at the moment.

I hearted his text and wrote, I love you.

Seconds later, he texted back, I love you, too.

I beamed as I hid the phone, then began making preparations to leave Naples. I wondered if Romeo was, too.

It never would’ve occurred to me in a million years that he was already on his way to me.

72

Isaid goodnight to Mama and Papa at nine.

I felt guilty that this might be the last time I saw them, at least for a long time to come, so I told them I loved them and gave them a kiss on the cheek.

As she patted my arm, Mama joked, “Somebody’s more affectionate than usual.”

Papa smiled. “It might be because a certain someone’s coming for dinner next week, and she knows her days with us are numbered.”

Well, our days together are definitely numbered.

Just not for the reasons – or the guy – you think.