“You may be back here before you know it,” I say with forced levity. She had her second and final interview with Leonardo da Vinci a few days ago and is expecting an offer or rejection any day now.
She slips her arm around my shoulder. “I don’t want to talk about that right now. I just want to enjoy what we’ve created here.”
I lay my head on her shoulder as we continue walking. “You’ve done an amazing job.”
She lays her head on top of mine, the two of us continuing to walk like conjoined twins. “I’ve been so nervous I was going to ruin the entire program.”
I pull back to look at her as we make our way toward the river, the sound of the water rushing around us. “It’s been perfect. Absolutely perfect. I’m so proud of you.”
She sniffs and pops a quick kiss to the top of my head. “I’m so grateful you’re here.”
“Always.” We clutch each other tighter, making our way back into our neighborhood and the life we’ve built here. A life that’s made me happier than I’ve been in a long time.
But it’s temporary. In a few weeks, we’ll be gone. Some other college will move into our school and another person will take over my bedroom.
And, if everything else in my Roman life is temporary, how can I be sure what Colton and I are feeling isn’t temporary, too?
29
QUINN
JULY — TWO WEEKS TO WIN OVER THE FACULTY
The entire summerhas been leading to this moment. After three months of new and exciting challenges that have changed their lives forever, my students ready to present.
It’s also my last-ditch effort to get Dr. Guarino on board.
He’s resisted every attempt to connect with him. Enticing him with things around the city?I’m from Rome. There’s nothing new you can offer me.Asking for his advice?I don’t have time to hold your hand.Using the other professors to sway him?I’m shocked you all have bought into this absurdity.
But I have one last, shameless card in my hands. For all his asshole tendencies, he does care about his students. He couldn’t say no when Anthony, a business and Italian double major, begged him to watch his presentation.
He’s now sitting at the back, flipping through composition papers and ignoring the other students, until Anthony takes the stage.
It’s perfect.
He talks about the industry-specific words he learned thataren’t taught in his Italian classes, explaining how this experience took his language skills from excellent to professionally fluent. And he does it all in perfectly accented Italian, much to the confusion of the students in English-speaking internships who don’t know much beyond hello, thank you, and where’s the closest gelateria?
My eyes ping-pong between Anthony and Dr. Guarino through the presentation. He nods along, and I even detect a small smile when Anthony spouts off what I believe are the Italian words for capital expenditures and dividends.
I breathe a sigh of relief when he opens the floor to questions. Dr. Guarino throws out three in rapid succession, using specific business terminology like he’s hoping to trip Anthony up and give himself an excuse to continue his Quinn hating in peace. Anthony—bless him—never fumbles. Dr. Guarino’s left with one last question. “How has the work in this classroom—not at your internship site—benefitted you?”
Anthony’s quick to answer. “It’s been life-changing. Professor Riley made all of us reflect on our experience and how it connects to what we’re studying. The internship would have been a good experience on its own, but this class and Professor Riley’s expertise on professional development took it to another level. It was the best experience of my college career.”
I meet Dr. Guarino’s eyes across the room, and I fight hard to keep the smirk off my face. I didn’t even prep Anthony with that answer. It was all him, and I feel vindicated in ways I never imagined.
After a pause, Dr. Guarino nods. “Very good, Anthony.”
I lift my eyes from him, and they snag on the open classroom door. My father stands there with his brows drawn together, eyes pinned to the student who just praised me. He meets my gaze for a second before walking away.
A small part of me wants to chase after him, like when I was a little girl, running through the Forum to keep up with him,leaping off ancient stones like my very own jungle gym. His program officially ends today, which means he’s leaving and I can walk through the school without looking over my shoulder, but it also means that glimmer of potential has run its course. I shake off the moment, refocusing on my students.
When the last presentation wraps up and I release everyone, Dr. Guarino stays behind.
“Impressive work, Professor Riley.”
I bite back my smile. It’s the first time he’s used the term professor when addressing me. It has to be a good sign.
“Thank you, Dr. Guarino. It was a challenging and rewarding summer for us all.”
