Ben scoffs, and Juliana reaches over to pinch his side.
“Do you have something to say, Mr. Thomas?” I ask, crossing my arms.
“Just that I’ve heard that before,” he says, turning to Juliana. “How’d that work out for you?”
She lifts her left hand, twisting it this way and that so her engagement ring catches the light. “Worked out great, I’d say.”
His smile softens, and he pulls her in for a kiss, whisperingI love youon her lips.
I groan, dropping back on the blanket and tossing my arm over my eyes. “I get it. You’re in love and adorable and you can fuck right off. Will you guys just tell me how to win over this professor so I can go enjoy my spinsterhood in peace?”
“Which professor is it?” Ben asks as Juliana slides off his lap.
“Lynn Keck.”
He nods, running a hand through his thick, dark hair. “I went into her class when we were up there in April. She’s into classic designs and wasn’t excited about a program in Orlando because she thinks the buildings are too austere. Anything classic or unique might soften her up.”
I light up. “I could take her class out to the Villa d’Este!”
He clutches his chest. “Oh damn, I fuckinglovethe Villa d’Este. That’s perfect.”
Juliana glances between us. “What is it?”
Ben’s eyes light up, going full architectural fanboy. “It’s a Renaissance palace with these incredible gardens. A literal architectural masterpiece. You have a connection there, Quinn?”
I shrug. “No, but I’m sure my friend Tomasso does. The museum world is small. And there’s no school-sanctioned trip this weekend, so if I could set it up…”
Ben nudges Juliana. “You should go with them.”
She guffaws. “What?”
“Seriously,” he says. “You’d love it. And you can help soften up Lynn.”
My eyes go wide. “Oh my god, yes please.”
Her mouth opens and closes, looking between us. “What about the kids?”
“What’s an afternoon away in the scope of a two-week family vacation? I can handle the kids for a few hours,” he says with an eye roll. On cue, Clara starts screaming about something Sophie did, and he grimaces. “It’ll be fine. I’ll take them to that gladiator school thing you were looking at and go get an espresso.”
“Sophie with a sword? Lord save us,” Juliana says, rubbing a hand over her forehead. “But okay, let’s do this.”
“Thank you thank you thank you,” I say, throwing my body into hers and tackling her onto the blanket.
She laughs. “We’ll see if you still want to thank me after Sophie conquers the city.”
My friends are the best.Tomasso was able to get us a last-minute private tour for the Villa d’Este and Juliana’s sacrificing her vacation to help me, even if she insists being away from the kids for a full afternoon is a vacation in and of itself.
We have about an hour until I’m supposed to meet Juliana, Dr. Keck, and the two dozen students who decided to join us. Just enough time for me to pop over to the school to print off an attendance list, but when I enter the office, I stop in my tracks.
My father’s set up behind the desk to the left, a pair of reading glasses perched on his nose. He didn’t need reading glasses the last time we spoke—fights not included—and the reminder of how much he’s aged during our estrangement makes my heart tighten. No matter how much he’s hurt me, he’s still my father.
He glances up and startles when he spots me. I’m clearly unexpected, and the rare break in his exposure shows a flash of pain. “Good morning, Quinn.”
“I just need to print something off really quickly. I can use the other printer,” I say, turning to leave.
“How’s the class going?” he calls at my back. His words sound sincere, and when I look back, I don’t see any sarcasm or disdain.
I pause, wondering how much I should say. We’d been so close when I was younger, and the child inside me still believes he loves and cares.
