Page 11 of Never Till Now

“Nah, I was more of a Charmed fan.” I laugh. “The crookedest street.” I look at the red pivoting road heading downward.

A car beeps for tourists to move out of the way and I link my arm with Adam’s. I deem this acceptable since I hate crowds and don’t want to get lost.

“Come on.” He smiles. “We are almost to my favorite place.”

The new area isn’t any less overwhelming than the other streets. Pizza shops, gelato, and cafés awaken my senses as he tugs me to a little café on the right. “Welcome to North Beach. The little taste of Italy.”

“Have you been there?”

“I’ve been to Italy a few times over the years. This place has the best espresso and gelato.” We pass the few small bistro tables set up outside and head to the counter. “Do you like ice cream?”

If he only knew my obsession and goal, it would scare him off.

“May I have a hazelnut latte and a chocolate gelato, please?” I order, but my credit card is pushed away. “This isn’t a date, Adam.”

“I don’t care. Ciao Tony, avrò il solito, per favore.” He smiles at the short Italian man who opens his arms and nods in approval.

“Bella signora.” Tony smiles and starts our order.

I halt, looking between the two men, feeling clueless and more turned on than I should be in public. Adam rolls Italian off his tongue with ease, and I wonder if that’s why his mouth skills are impeccable.

“What did you order?” I bring myself back to the current moment.

“I told him the usual.” Adam leads me to a small bistro table out front.

The crowds of people are within a couple feet of us walking by, and I wish the city made these sidewalks larger. “Teach me something in Italian.” I give a warning look. “But it better be appropriate.”

“Non ti voglio.” He smiles and relaxes back in his chair. “It means I don’t want you.”

“That can come in handy.” I repeat the phrase a few more times as Adam fights a smile. “What?” I see a shadow cast over me and look up to see Tony holding our coffees.

“He is beautiful! Why don’t you want him?” He sets the coffee down and shakes his head. “I thought maybe he was interested in the other team. You’re the first lady he has ever brought here and you say you don’t want him.”

“I’m just a tour guide, Tony.” Adam laughs. “And I am most definitely team woman.”

I stir my gelato a few times without having a single taste. I drink my latte and receive questionable looks from Adam, but he doesn’t say anything. Thankfully, with this heat, my gelato quickly becomes the perfect mix of thick and runny. A yogurt consistency, if you will. My smile reaches my eyes as I take the first bite. This gelato is perfect. The smooth glazed texture hits my tongue like silk. I shut my eyes, assessing like I do with all ice cream. The temperature is cold but not shocking. This flavor is not syrupy and overly sweet like the kind you buy in a cardboard box. This is pure heaven. I open my eyes to a puzzled but amused Adam who can’t bite his tongue any longer.

“Why?” He tilts his head.

I offer him a taste, and he scrunches his nose. “It tastes best like this.” I smile, unashamed of my odd preference.

“It’s melted. You could have ordered a milkshake.”

“No, it’s not the same.” I shake my head. “And it’s not melted.” I hold up the spoon as part of it falls off in a lump. “This is perfection. My goal is to try every ice cream place by the end of the summer.”

“That doesn’t seem healthy.” He leans back in his chair as I finish my gelato.

“Well, it’s part of my main food group.” I scrape the bottom of the cup. “It’s good I love cardio.”

We knock off a couple main tourist sights on a streetcar before getting off at Alamo Square. The grassy area hosts many picnic blankets, families and dogs running about. It’s a nice park as we walk to the top of it. I see why he wanted to take me here. Adam clears his throat as we walk farther on the grass.

“I know you said you’re more of a Charmed fan, but this is still cool to see in person.”

We make our way through the grass approaching the infamous Postcard Row. It’s a strange feeling after seeing it so many times on television and now it’s tangible. “You’re right, it is cooler in person. Is the Charmed house here too?” I ask as my voice pitches with excitement.

“Nah, that one is in Los Angeles.”

“Bummer. I used to live much closer to it before.” I narrow my eyes at him as we take a seat on the grass. “I thought you weren’t a Charmed fan.”