Well, shit. She’s got me there.
As I wake up and roll over to check my phone, disappointment sets in that I haven’t heard from Mark. On any other day, my schedule is packed so tight, I might not have noticed. But today, I have an entire weekend ahead of me with nothing concrete planned on my agenda. I’ve gotten used to my good morning texts or video calls from him.
I miss him like crazy and can’t wait to get this job over with so I can go home.
Needing to hear his voice, I dial his number.
It goes straight to voicemail.
Hmmm. That’s unusual. Perhaps he’s just turned off his phone to sleep? I know he’s been busting his ass working on projects around his house while the weather is good.
Suddenly, there’s a knock at my door. “Room service.”
That’s funny. I didn’t order anything.
But sometimes, Mark does when he wants to ensure I’ve remembered to eat or treat me to something special.
Smiling, I pull myself out of bed and grab my robe hanging by the closet.
By the time I get to the door, I’ve got it secured and knotted around my waist.
Outside my room, there’s the expected food cart, along with the kind woman I’ve gotten to know over the last few weeks. “Good morning, Mira. How are you today?”
Mira’s face lights up with a smile. “I’m doing well, thank you. Mr. Lancaster put an order in first thing this morning.” There’s a glint in her eyes, and she smiles. “He’s a keeper, I tell you.”
“Yeah.” I nod in agreement. “He sure is.”
Gah, even from the other side of the world, this man regularly goes out of his way to show he’s thinking of me. I’m not sure what I’ve done to deserve this, but I’ll be forever grateful for the day Mark walked back into my life.
When I finally pay attention to the cart between us, I see two plates instead of one. “What is this man up to?” I muse more to myself than to her.
Mira shrugs, then covers her mouth and uncharacteristically rushes to say, “Enjoy your day, Faye,” before promptly turning to leave.
“Hmmm… That’s odd,” I mutter, then focus back on the food. Pulling off the lids, I see two orders of blueberry crêpes, bacon, and eggs. “Why on earth did Mark think I needed a double order?”
Out of nowhere, a familiar voice responds, “Perhaps he thought you’d want company for breakfast.”
Instantly, my heart stops.
I swear I’m hearing things.
Maybe I miss him so much, I’m hallucinating?
When a tall figure from behind the wall moves into my direct line of sight, my breath catches in my throat. That is, until my brain finally registers—Holy shit, it’s really him!
His handsome smile kickstarts my body into action, and suddenly, I can’t get to him fast enough. Fumbling with the cart, I attempt to push it out of the way, but it only runs into the doorjamb and gets stuck. I try again, and the wheel might as well be locked to the floor. Frustrated, I consider climbing over it.
Mark simply grins and effortlessly maneuvers it back into the hall.
The moment there’s enough space, I squeeze past it and launch myself into his open arms.
“God, I’ve missed you,” he murmurs as his strong, muscular arms wrap around me and squeeze me in the best way possible.
As I breathe in his masculine scent, I feel as if I’ve taken my first full breath of air since arriving in Italy. I had no idea just how much I’ve truly missed this man until this moment.
Pulling back to look him in the eye, I cup his face in my hands and laugh in disbelief. “Why didn’t you tell me you were coming?”
“What would be the fun in that?” He smirks and squeezes my waist tighter.
