anymore. I didn’t want anything that reminded me of the life we had, or the one we’d dreamed about having.
With a sigh, I glanced away from the couple. I checked the perimeter around the main entrance, looking for Cole. Then I took out my phone to see if I had messages from him and discovered that Isabelle had sent me pictures of her new apartment last night. Oh, I was so jealous that I hadn’t been there to celebrate this milestone with her.
“Morning, doc.”
I startled, looking up. Cole stood before me. In the morning light, he looked even more gorgeous—all masculine and... charming. He was smiling widely, and just like that, I felt the corners of my mouth tip up, even though I’d been melancholic a few minutes ago. How could his mood influence me so easily?
“Hey! Was looking at some pics Isabelle sent me of her new apartment.”
“That’s right. My siblings were helping her move yesterday. Did you talk to her?”
“Yeah, on my way home yesterday. Can’t wait to be back in New York, help her out with things. It’s daunting to move to a new city.”
“She’s got my family, though. And you. So... brought her up to date?” He wiggled his eyebrows. This man!
“Yes. Told her about this guy I met last night. Very fun and willing to indulge my culinary wishes.”
“Sounds like you like him.”
I laughed, tilting my head playfully. “Just a little bit.”
“Poor schmuck. He’s got to up his game, doesn’t he?”
Hmm... that hadn’t been the answer I’d expected, but I suddenly wanted to know what that would entail.
“What’s with that smile?” he asked, eyes focused on me.
“Nothing you need to know.”
He took one step closer. “Tell. Me.”
Holy shit, had he meant to sound playful? Because it had come out all bossy. He was used to being in charge, to get everyone to do his bidding, that was for sure.
“Well, she did tell me about your nickname, and she wanted to know if you do it justice.”
“And what’s the verdict?”
I winked, suddenly feeling a little feisty. “I’ll reserve judgment until after the tour.”
“Game on, Ms. Smith.”
“No, no. Tour on. Game off.”
“We’ll see about that.”
His gaze was smoldering hot. Holy shit, this was going to be an interesting day if he upped the ante like this before the tour even started.
I pointed a finger at him. “Cole, I want to focus, so tone down that charm.”
“Oh, I’m distracting you? Like the sound of that.”
I pointed a finger at him. “Colosseum tour. Don’t hijack it. Afterward, everything is negotiable.”
He smiled triumphantly. “Four hours. Then I make the rules.”
Chuckling, I took a deep breath. “Let’s find our guide. By the way, where is your luggage?”
“Sent it to the airport with a special service.”
“When do you have to be there?”
“Six thirty.”
“Okay.”
Tourists and souvenir vendors milled around the Colosseum. We were surrounded by fragments of conversations, English mixed with Italian. We found the group easily, right next to the entrance, in the shade. It was a small group, just ten participants.
“I am not going to talk all the time,” the guide said. “I will give you all the information when we reach a new level, and then you can just walk around at your pace, soak it all in. A word of warning: if you’re not in good shape, reaching the top will be challenging. The steps are old and very steep.”
I grimaced a little, because while the general mayhem at the hospital meant I was always on the move, climbing wasn’t my thing.
“I’ll carry you, if you want,” Cole whispered in my ear. I swatted him away playfully.
“We’d look ridiculous,” I whispered, but the idea didn’t sound half bad.
“I don’t give a fuck.”
“Might break your back, mister.”
“Lucky I have this sexy doc with me. She can take care of me.”
“I’m not equipped to heal a broken back right now,” I said.
“I’m sure we can find something that would work.” He was looking at me intently. I burst out laughing even as heat rose in my cheeks. I had no idea how he could make me blush and laugh at the same time. I couldn’t wait to discover what else he could do. My stomach bottomed out as I realized he was leaving in a few hours. I was still feeling a little off-kilter as the guide asked us to line up.
The Colosseum was honestly one of the most impressive constructions I’d ever seen.
Looking at something of this size that was more than two thousand years old was surreal. We started