The cool of the tiles against my back reminds me that this is a tragic reality. I open my eyes and find Giovanni’s icy blues peering over the bed.
This is not how I imagined being on my back for him for the first time.
Wait.Why am I imagining thatat all?
“I’m going to the bathroom.” I quickly stand and power walk out the door and down the hall. Frankly, I’m amazed I don’t trip halfway down the corridor.
This bathroom has swiftly become my Emotional Support Room. Stepping inside and closing the door, I wash my hands, holding them underneath the cold water for longer than normal.
I bring two fingers to the border of my lips, gently swiping the skin there, like there’s smudged lipstick I need to fix. The memory of Giovanni’s mouth on mine comforts my nerves in a concerning way. We only have a few days left in Brescia, and I’m overthinking everything.
I didn’t want to hash things out last night. My feelings about him are changing—havechanged, but there’s still a piece of my heart that believes New York Giovanni won’t share the same feelings about me as Italy Giovanni. Every time I think about becoming even closer with Giovannihere, I wonder what it’ll be likethere. There, with Lamont. There, withDad.
Is it just being here, at his home, that’s shifted his emotions toward me? Or will he change his mind the second we’re back to subways and stress? I already have so many relationship hazards in my life, it’s hard to freefall into risk. And now, I don’t even know if I’ll be able to look at him without blushing.
A knock sounds on the bathroom door, but I’m not ready to face Giovanni yet.
“Breakfast is ready!”
I breathe a sigh of relief. “Okay, great! Thank you, Maria, I’ll be out in a minute.”
A few minutes later, I walk to the bedroom to change my clothes before heading to the kitchen. Giovanni and his parents are sitting at the table. When he sees me, he shoots up from his chair.
He slowly strides toward me, then leans down and pecks my forehead.
“Good morning, Tessa.”
“Um, good morning? Good morning,” I stumble awkwardly.
“My. The two of you are so sweet,” Maria sighs as Giovanni grabs my hand and leads me to the table.
He pulls out my chair, and I wonder if I’ve teleported to thePride and Prejudicemovie. I carefully sit down, murmuring a quick, “Thank you.”
“So, what do you two have planned today?” Roberto pops a grape into his mouth.
Everyone in the kitchen answers at the same time.
“Tessa needs to rest?—”
“I’d love to get outside?—”
Maria claps. “Both of you should bike the hills!”
Giovanni zeroes in on her face. “Absolutely not. Tessa was just in the hospital.”
“That was two days ago.” I roll my eyes. “The doctor said I’d be perfectly fine by now.”
“Gio, you love the hills,” Maria says, before turning to face me. “The scenery is so romantic. Roberto and I used to bike them all the time when we were dating. Whenever Gio comes here, one of the first things he’ll do is get on his bicycle.”
“Tessa isn’t well enough to bike, Mamma,” Gio says.
“Actually,” I cut in, “I’ve been itching to move my body. I usually run every day. I’m not a huge cyclist, but it sounds fun.”
Plus, how hard can it be if Giovanni does it? I know he’s strong, having been effortlessly lifted into the air by him like I had the build of a woodland fairy, but cardio is sort of my thing.
Maria’s expression shifts to one of mischief, the corners of her lips turning up. “Well, if Gio doesn’t want to go, his cousin, the one I’ve been telling you about, does triathlons. Luca’s a very skilled biker, and I’m happy to call him…”
“Fine. I’ll go,” Giovanni announces. “But we’re taking breaks during the trip. And we’re stopping whenever you need to catch your breath. The hills aren’t easy, especially if you’re not used to them.”
