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I turn and find Jude standing in the kitchen doorway.
Shirtless.
Because apparently Calabria decided August wasn’t hot enough and somehow got even warmer overnight.
My eyes betray me for half a second, taking in tanned skin and muscles before I drag them back up to his face and find him smirking.
I quickly turn back to the coffee. “Morning, Grumpy.”
As soon as it’s ready, I pour him a cup, take mine and follow him onto the terrace.
Somehow, this has become our morning routine here.
The others sleep until at least ten, but Jude and I are always up early. We drink our coffee out here while the beach is still quiet and the morning sun hasn’t turned murderous yet.
I close my eyes and lift my face, letting the breeze coming off the sea caress my skin while I soak up the warmth. When I open them again, Jude is watching me.
“Sleep well?”
He nods. “You?”
“I did. Until those boys on their Vespas decided to have a party directly under my balcony at three in the morning.”
He snorts, and I laugh because as much as I wanted to murder those teenagers last night, I missed this.
The noise. The chaos. People yelling across balconies. Scooters at impossible hours. Music coming from somewhere even when you can’t figure out where.
This is home.
An idea forms in my head, and I turn to Jude.
“Have you ever ridden a Vespa?”
His eyes narrow slightly before he slowly shakes his head.
“It has gears, but you’ll get the hang of it.”
Jude sighs. “What’s the plan?”
I grin.
“Vespa day. I want to take you to l’Isola di Dino. I promise you’ve never seen water as blue as inside those caves.”
“Caves?”
“Yes! And going by Vespa will give us the best views.”
I pull out my phone and start looking up rentals.
Beside me, Jude shakes his head.
“Whatever you say, Captain.”
I freeze.
Cold water rushes through my veins.
The terrace disappears.
