“Well, if you need anything, you just have to ask.”
“Thanks, Addie. I’ll be home soon. Don’t miss me too much,” I tease.
A dark look passes over Bella’s face, and I can’t help but wonder why. Is she jealous? I sure hope so.
After saying goodbye, I pocket my phone and aim my focus directly at Bella. “You need to know something.” I strive to sound serious and try not to chuckle at the look on her face. Like she’s dreading that I’m about to reveal I’m an axe murderer or, worse, I’m one of those weirdos who pays to watch creators do naked jumping jacks on OnlyFans.
“What?” she asks, voice laced in suspicion.
“I’m not leaving here without getting the most famous Austrian food of all.”
The worried look on her face dissolves as she visibly relaxes. “Oh? And what’s that?”
“Wiener schnitzel.”
She bursts out laughing. “To be honest, I’m not even sure what that is exactly.”
“You’re in for a treat, Miss Diamond.” I swipe the car key up. “C’mon, I’m driving.”
Chapter Seven: Bella
Ryder drives us to a nearby town, and it’s like stepping into an Alpine fairytale. The colorful buildings and cobblestone streets are cozy and welcoming. He parks the car and we stroll around. He seems to know exactly where he’s going, which surprises me. There was no sign of recognition or familiarity in his expression when I told him where we were going. Yet…
“Have you been here before?” I ask when he points out a particular restaurant and suggests we eat there.
“Several times.”
So vague.I look over at him, waiting for him to share more. “Care to expand?”
“My dad and stepmom sent me to school in Austria for a year.” He shrugs. “I hopped on the train and explored. I’ve also visited a few times since.”
“Like a boarding school?” He nods. “Why only a year? Did you get kicked out?” I tease, elbowing his arm.
“Sure did.”
I abruptly stop, more curious than surprised. “What did you do?”
“Set the school on fire.”
My eyes go wide, and he chuckles. Okay, I wasn’t expecting that. Maybe a prank gone wrong, sure. But arson?
“It was an accident,” he explains. “I snuck onto the roof and was testing a drone I built. It may have gone a little haywire and got caught in a vent.”
“How did the fire start?”
“My friend and I had attached fireworks to it and, well, you can imagine what happened.” He makes an explosive gesture with his hands and mouths the word, “Boom!”
“Why would you do that?” I can’t help but laugh.
“I was a bit of a rebel.”
“I’d say so.”
“In my defense, it’s only because I wanted attention. My parents were always too busy fighting with each other, so I had to resort to devious measures.” He shrugs. “It was easier to send their only child away to boarding schools in Europe than manage the day-to-day needs of a family. After they divorced, Judith became a cougar—FYI, she’s still going through an endless stream of poolboys and baristas—and Arthur married Wanda, my stepwitch. I’ve got two stepbrothers who hate me, but it’s mutual. Can you say dysfunctional with a capital D?”
A wave of sympathy washes over me. I can’t imagine growing up like that. “I don’t have any siblings, half or whole.”
“Consider yourself lucky.”
