“Your ego knows no…” I take a bite and nearly groan. “Oh, my god. Totally beats out your kisses.”
“That’s cruel.”
“But true.”
He laughs—a deep, easy sound that makes my stomach flip. “Told you.”
“What is this—” I take another bite, debating if I’m going to share. “—deliciousness?”
“Honeyed pastries. Life-changing, right?”
“They’re dangerous.”
“Only if you have no self-control.”
I shoot him a look over the rim of my sunglasses. “I have plenty of that.”
“I wonder what I need to do to make it slip,” he murmurs.
The way he says it makes my pulse trip. I offer him a bite before I devour the whole dessert. He studies my face intently. Immediately, I grab a napkin and begin scrubbing. He reassures me, “There’s nothing there.”
“Then why are you studying me like I have powder all over my nose?”
A storm flickers in his eyes. Finally, he admits, “You just look… like you belong here.”
I blink, caught off guard. “Here as in Italy?”
“Here, as in now,” he whispers.
The fair continues on around us — color, laughter, music — but for a moment it feels like the world’s gone still again. His eyes find mine, steady and certain, and I realize maybe he’s right.
I’m happy and I’m uncertain how long it’s been since I felt that way.
I swallow, feeling the truth of it settle between us. “Maybe I needed to be reminded of what belonging somewhere feels like.”
He leans in slightly, his voice low enough that only I can hear. “I’m happy to be the one who helps you.”
I shake my head, smiling despite myself. Before I can find words, the music changes — faster, fuller — and somehow we’re drawn closer together by the rhythm.
“Dance with me,” Troy says suddenly.
I laugh. “No way.”
“Come on. Just one song.”
“I don’t dance in daylight.”
He steps closer, hand extended. “Then close your eyes.”
“Absolutely not.”
He arches a brow, teasing. “Didn’t seem to bother you last night.”
Heat floods my face. “That’s different.”
“Is it?” His grin turns slow, confident, knowing.
I glance around. People are laughing, clapping, moving without care. Maybe I want to be one of them — just for a minute. So, I give in, placing my hand in his.
