“Oh well. I thought maybe if you open it and there was a prince, you could become a princess,” she says.
“Well, you never know what riches lie beyond it,” Vito says.
Ava shrugs, and with that, we continue our walk. Bray turns to Hutch and asks, “Think we should get out the mystery machine?”
“I mean, we’re all pretty good at solving mysteries. Except for that pesky flower thing,” Hutch teases.
Jocelyn elbows him.
“The only mystery you’re looking into this week is—” Hutch grabs her and places a hand over her mouth. Jocelyn giggles.
I sway as I walk, and Bray puts his hand around my waist.
“Steady there, tiger,” he whispers.
I wave him off as we continue walking. “I’m fine.”
He keeps his hand on the small of my back as we walk. I find myself leaning into it. It’s been so long since I felt a man touch me with anything more than a friendly gesture. I can’t be lusting after Bray.
By the end of the day, as I sober up, I decide it’s time to fire up that dating app. Italian men, here I come.
I’m lying by the pool and looking at men on the dating app. Some are cute, some are not. I’ve swiped right a few times, but so far, no messages. I’m beginning to think I’m cursed when I see a notification.
It’s a man named Francesco. He’s from Milan and is thirty-five. He works in the clothing industry and likes wine.
Francesco: Buongiorno, Carly.
OK, not a bad start.
Me: Buongiorno. Do you speak English by chance?
Francesco: Of course.
I grin and giggle as I try to imagine what his voice sounds like. I feel like I’m in middle school and just discovered boys.
“What’s so funny?” Bray asks, his voice coming from behind me.
For reasons I don’t entirely understand, I toss my phone in my bag like it’s on fire and turn my head to see him walking toward me.
“Oh, uh, nothing,” I say way too quickly.
He raises an eyebrow, and I bite my lower lip. His gaze watches as my teeth clench the plump skin before releasing it. Slowly, his attention travels back to my eyes. I swallow as I see his dilated pupils. Was he checking me out? No. That’s crazy. I mean, the man has seen me naked, and we’re still just friends. Shaking my head, I turn back around and pretend that the pool is the most fascinating thing I’ve ever seen. I hear my phone vibrate with another message.
Bray sits down next to me. “You gonna check that?” he asks as his eyes look down at my phone.
I shrug. And then slowly pull my phone out and look, deciding not to look would be weirder. Why am I so shy suddenly in sharing dating stuff with Bray? I take a deep breath and open the app again. Probably because I haven’t dated since knowing him. Or at least that’s what I’m telling myself.
Francesco: Do you live in Italy or just visiting?
I hold the phone a little away from Bray so he can’t see it.
Me: Just visiting for the week and thought I’d see who was in the area that might like to meet up for dinner some night.
Francesco: Where are you staying?
I pause. Do I tell him? What if he’s a serial killer?
Me: Near Broni.
