Page 41 of The Italian Obsession

Ferraras marry for life.

Enrico’s words come back to me along with my goofy smile.

Why do I smile like this every time I think of him?

I’m not going to get excited about it. We only spent three days together… but what an amazing three days they were.

In actual fact, these two weeks away from him is the worst possible timing ever. If only I could have spent the time with him instead.

Stop it, don’t get ahead of yourself. It was just one weekend.

I stand and take some photos of the beautiful view, and I send one to Enrico with the text:

Arrived safely.

Wish you were here.

Olivia.

I smile as I imagine him reading it. He’s probably at work now and won’t get it till later. I’m going to go for a swim in that beautiful pool down there.

I change into my bathing suit and grab my sunhat. I leave my room, looking for adventure.

Life is good. Really good.

________

“To us.” Natalie clicks her glass with mine as she beams happiness across the table.

“To us.” I giggle. “Can you believe we’re here?”

“No.” She grabs my hand. “It’s so good to see you, Liv. I miss you.”

“I know. Me, too.”

We’re on the large balcony of our hotel, having dinner. After Nat’s flight, we thought we would take it easy tonight. The tables are lit with candles, and the cliff is alive with twinkling lights from the buildings. The sound of the ocean is loud as it crashes against the cliff face.

“So?” I cut into my chicken. “Tell me everything. How’s London?”

“Yeah, it’s good.” She chews her food. “The weather is atrocious, though.”

I’ve never been to London. “It’s just raining all the time? Every Aussie goes on about how bad the weather is over there.”

“It’s overcast every day. The sun is hardly ever out. It gets depressing after a while. I’m so used to eight hours of sunshine every day, all year long.”

“Well, it could be worse. Cold is better than hot as Hell, right?”

She laughs. “I guess.” She takes a sip of her wine. “Tell me about your trip.”

I smile proudly. “I met someone.”

“What?”

“In Rome.”

“And?”

“And we had the best sex of my life all weekend long.”