Page 147 of The English Bookstore in Bologna

“Off to find a hole to hide in.” She pressed the down button again, and then again and again, mashing the damn thing.

He started laughing. “I’m sorry I wasn’t the one to answer the door.”

“I bet. Your poor madre.”

He took her arm and turned her toward him. “What if she hadn’t been here? What was your plan?”

She had to work hard to lift her eyes to him. This required a full admission. “What do you think the plan was, you dummy? To show you that I’m done running. That I want to try again if you’ll give me one more chance. I was scared and you seem to like me just the way I am. But now your mom has seen me naked, and that might change everything.”

He laughed again.

“Also, I’m sorry about the other night. How things have gone since then. I guess that’s what this was going to be. A naked apology is the best kind when you’ve messed up royally. I’m sorry.”

“As you are not naked now, I cannot accept your apology.”

She looked at the door. Thank God his mom had left them to it. “Okay, how about another time when your mom’s not here?”

“I’ll tell her to leave. Be right back.”

She grabbed his arm. “Can I ask one thing? Did you turn me away because of my father talking to you?”

“I bet you can answer that.”

“I can’t, that’s why I’m asking.”

He took both her hands. “No, Queen Bee. I turned you away because I was waiting for you to show up naked and commit.”

“Here I am, then.”

He stepped forward and kissed her, then whispered into her ear, “I turned you away because I didn’t believe you. Now I do. So let me go tell my mother that she and I will have to catch up another time.”

“Wait, I can’t see her again. Not now.”

“Then go take a walk, come back in ten, and let’s try this again. The whole show. And this time, I’ll forgive you.”

She kissed him. “Deal. See you in ten.”

Seven days later

Moira rode in the taxi with Harold to the airport. She climbed out to say goodbye, and as they hugged, he said, “I’m going to come back and find you, okay? Soon as I get out of debt and figure out what I’m doing. Soon as I have a degree.”

He let go of her and thought they might kiss, but they didn’t. Cars rolled in behind them; travelers raced out with their bags.

“I did want to say something, though,” she said. “It’s strange to live in a world where no one knows your real name. I want you to know it. Just you, okay?”

“You sure? I won’t be able to not ChatGPT you.”

“I don’t care. I want someone to know the real me.”

He mulled that over.

“My real name’s—”

He put a finger to her lips. “No, don’t. I know the real you. Your name has nothing to do with it. How about you tell me next time we see each other? I know you can’t come to Denver, but I’ll be back.”

“You promise?”

“Yeah, I promise.”