"A kindred spirit. Cute.”
This makes me laugh. "Something like that." I stare at my hands. "We talked, then left together and went back to his hotel."
"And?"
"And it was ... really good."
Collette squeals. "Really good? That's all you're giving me?"
Heat crawls up my neck. "Really, really good."
"I'm so proud of you." She wraps her arm around my shoulders, pulling me into a side hug. "You needed this. You've been wound so tight for so long."
"It was just one night."
"So. Did you get his number? Are you going to see him again?"
I shake my head. "I left before he woke up."
"Why?"
"Because it was supposed to be one night. No complications. No strings."
Collette pulls back and looks at me. "Do you regret it?"
"No."
"But?"
"But I can't stop thinking about him." The admission feels dangerous. "Which is stupid. I don't even know his last name. Don't know what he does for a living. I just know his first name and that he's got this ... controlled thing going on."
"Controlled?"
"Like he holds himself back, until he doesn't."
Collette fans herself. "Damn, Jo."
I laugh despite myself. "It's done. Over. I'm never going to see him again."
"You don't know that."
"I do. He's probably already forgotten about me."
"I doubt that." Collette squeezes my hand. "You're unforgettable."
"You have to say that. You're my sister."
"I mean it. And I'm glad you put yourself out there. Even if it was just one night."
We sit in comfortable silence for a moment, enjoying the warm Italian air.
Then I turn to her. "So, the whole Devils team is coming?"
"Yeah, Pierre invited everyone." My sister's eyes light up. "There are some really cute guys on the team."
"Lettie, no."
"What? I'm just saying. What happens in Italy stays in Italy." She smirks.
