city and realize this is the first time I’ve ever gone on a trip with a guy I liked, even as short as it was.
It’s the first time I’ve ever confidently walked through streets while publicly showing off the relationship I was in. Everything about this day was freeing, even learning more about his experience with Colin, and how he never wants to hurt me like that.
I know that if I worry too much about the drive or running late for the call, I could end up ruining this sweet moment. It’s all kind of perfect, even with today’s many imperfections.
“This is a beautiful city,” I say softly.
“Made even more beautiful by your presence.” He nudges me with his shoulder, then breaks into laughter. “Ah, sorry, mate, that sounded much smoother in my head.”
I laugh too, and that’s when I realize that for all the ups and downs this short trip had to offer, I don’t think I’ve ever been happier.
TWENTY-THREE
I start freaking out once we hit traffic, but then I see that Pierce has got a smile on his face. While I had a good day too, I feel the need to express exactly how important this call is.
“I’m starting to panic,” I say. It’s been an hour and a half, and we’re about halfway there. “The thing you should know about Megan is she’s fucking vengeful for a best friend. Like, me and Skye have always been there for her, but she straight up doesn’t deal with drama. She ends friendships like it’s her job, her calling.”
“If she hasn’t ended yours yet, she’s not going to do it because you miss one stupid call.”
“It’s two stupid calls!” I run both hands through my hair, which is still windblown from the walk on the pier. “I was gallivanting with you in Cardiff last time and completely forgot to call them. She was pissed. This is how I was supposed to make it up.”
“Add ‘gallivanting’ to the list of words people don’t use anymore.” He chuckles. “And what is this thing with Fridays? Was this something special for you?”
The traffic eases up, and we fly through a roundabout. I’ve no idea what the speed limit is, but he’s over it.
“We went to this small school, and a few people we knew would throw these bonfires every Friday in the summer. It felt like everyone was invited but us, and we always felt left out. Like, we spent years not getting invited to this thing, but as we got older and people cared less about being cliquey, they started inviting us. But Megan would always make a big show that she couldn’t come, that we always had plans. So I guess that’s where it stemmed from. Kind of silly, but that’s us.”
“You didn’t mind not going to those parties?” he asks, and I almost laugh.
“They were huge. At least, that’s what the pictures made it seem like. Chaotic. Loud. Kind of like those pep rallies we had to attend in school to cheer for whatever football game our team was playing. I wanted to avoid it. I liked hanging out with Megan and Skye anyway. It was so much more chill. More …”
“Safe?” he finishes. And in one moment I realize that for all his faults, he really does get me on some level. He knows what triggers my anxiety; he knows my response.
I see him shake his head in the light of other cars. It got dark quickly, but it’s peaceful out here. I can’t see the stars, but you’d almost confuse this with a country road in Kentucky. That is, if we didn’t go through traffic circles every few kilometers and if we weren’t on the completely wrong side of the road. Okay, it’s a little different.
He reaches into the glove compartment above my lap.
“I was going to give this to you tonight, but I think you should have it now, since you’re in a right state.”
I take the envelope from his hands, and I pull out a thick piece of paper. I use my phone to see it, and when the light shines on it, my heart rate doubles. It’s a ticket. A ticket with my name on it. I scan the details frantically.
“Florence, love. Well, that ticket’s for Pisa first, but we’ll take the train to Florence, then find our way to Siena.”
I melt when he says “love,” and I’m a puddle by the time he says “Siena.” “Why is my name on this?”
“Usually you need your