Getting on a bike with Dante takes me right back to Italy, when he took me through the winding streets of Praiano for the first time. It feels like a lifetime ago. For whatever reason, it feels like I've known this man my whole life.
The four bikes pull onto the narrow road. Nico cheers and grins back at us.
"What is his problem?" Dante grumbles.
"He's just happy." I giggle.
"Such an American," Dante replies.
"This reminds me so much of Praiano," I say.
"Because of the bike ride?” Dante asks, squeezing my thigh with his left hand.
"The ocean in the distance. The hilly roads. The air," I say. "All of it."
I can see the ocean near the horizon. Like Praiano, this town was also built on hills. The roads stretch before us in waves. I cling to Dante's strong body as he speeds up.
My hands rest over his chest.
When we stop at a traffic light, he places one of his hands over mine. And in moments like these, nothing else matters. The rest of the world disappears, and we're the only two people in the world.
We park near the temple where the show will be taking place.
Nico had apparently already purchased the tickets beforehand. We pass through the security checkpoints and enter the main grounds.
"Oh, and be careful with your phones and personal belongings," Nico says.
"Why?" Max asks.
Nico turns around to answer, but a monkey leaps from a tree onto the stair landing. Quick as lightning, it swipes the phone from Max’s hand. Max tries to get his phone back, but he’s too slow.
I clap my hand over my mouth to keep from laughing.
Max looks annoyed, but when he sees his wife grinning, the annoyance melts from his face. He rubs the back of his neck and looks at Nico.
"How do I get it back?" Max asks.
"Oh,nowyou want my guidance?” Nico replies.
"Forget it," Max says, marching forward to get closer to the monkey. The monkey watches him approach with bored eyes. And when Max is close enough, it snatches the sunglasses off his face too.
"Well done," Nico says.
"I'm going to throw you off this cliff," Max says, glaring at Nico.
The monkey neatly places the sunglasses over his eyes and looks down at us. I can’t hold my laughter back anymore.
"It's so cute," Chloe says, taking a quick photo of the monkey before putting her phone away.
Max looks at my sister. "Really, babe?"
She bites down on her bottom lip. "I'm sorry, but it's a little funny."
Briar snorts, making us all dissolve in laughter again.
"This is a learning opportunity for you," Nico says. "Nature works in mysterious ways, and right now, it's teaching you a lesson in patience."
Max's nostrils flare.
