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He waves me off emotionally. “It’s your first date.”

He looks over at my mother, whose eyes are glassy too.

“Oh God,” I whisper, staring down at the floor and hoping it will swallow me whole.

Of course my family told him I’ve never dated before.

“I’ll make sure it’s the best first date she’ll ever have,” Damiano says quietly.

I look up at him.

My breath catches again.

He steps closer and holds his hand out toward me.

“Shall we?”

I place my hand in his.

The warmth of his fingers wrapped around mine settles something inside me.

We walk outside and I stop in my tracks. A pastel blue Vespa is parked in my driveway.

“Yours?” I ask nervously.

“Yes, do you mind?”

I shake my head.

“No. I just...” I laugh nervously. “I’ve never been on one before.”

Something lights up in his eyes.

“Really?”

I nod.

His grin grows.

“Perfect.”

“Perfect?”

“Means I get to be your first.”

My heart skips a beat and then gallops like a racehorse.

Damiano walks around the Vespa and grabs a second helmet hanging from the handlebars.

“Come here, Eleonora.”

I hate how much I like hearing him say my full name.

Before I can put the helmet on myself, he gently takes it from my hands.

“Hold still.”

Carefully, he slides it over my head and fastens the strap beneath my chin. His fingers brush my skin, and every thought disappears from my head.