Page 45 of Our Chaotic Love Affair

I answered it, putting my earbud in. “Hey, I didn’t mean to wake you. I thought you’d see the messages later when you woke up.”

Her mouth dropped open when she saw where I was. “You’re actually at the airport? You weren’t joking around?”

“I’m here at the gate.” I smiled slightly and shook my head in disbelief. “Flying first class. To freaking Rome.”

“What the hell?” She was smiling too, eyes wide with surprise.

“I know.” I laughed. “I’m grabbing the bull by the horns. Listen.” I leaned closer to my phone screen. “I don’t want to miss a single second of wedding stuff. You have to FaceTime me for everything. Every decision. Every vendor meeting. Every time you even think about flowers or napkin colors.”

“Cleo, we’ll be fine.” She also leaned in close to her screen, like she was searching my face to see if I was still sane. “I’m more worried about you, running off to Rome on a whim in the middle of the night.”

“Don’t worry about me.” I paused. “Unless Rome sucks and I hate it there. Then I’ll send you the SOS to get me back here.”

Melody laughed. “It’s a deal. Although I’m pretty sure Rome is a magical place.” Her expression softened. “You’re really going?”

“I really am.” I took a breath. “But I promise I won’t be gone more than a couple days. I’ll be back before you even notice I’m gone.”

“I’ll notice but that’s okay.” She grinned. “I also expect a lot of pictures from you.”

“Be careful what you wish for,” I said with a chuckle.

“Go have an adventure,” Melody said. “Just come back safe.”

“Obviously.”

“And Cleo?”

“Yeah?”

“Be careful.”

I laughed. “It’s Rome, not a war zone.”

“I meant with Cash.”

“I will.”

She groaned. “I have to go puke. I’m not taking you with me.”

“Sorry. I’ll text you when I land.”

“You better.”

They announced first-class boarding. I grabbed my bag and joined the line, feeling the weight of what I was doing settle over me.

I’m actually doing this. I’m getting on a plane to Rome because Cash Bancroft called me at three in the morning and told me to.

The first-class seat was amazing. Wide, private, equipped with a blanket and a bottle of water already waiting. Enough legroom that I didn’t have to perform the usual economy origami just to sit down. I settled in, tucked my bag under the seat, and pulled the blanket over my lap, feeling like a princess.

The plane began to move. I watched out the window as we taxied down the runway, gathering speed. We took flight, suddenly climbing, and the lights of New York City disappeared.

My heart was galloping in my chest. I was terrified, but this was also the most alive I’d felt in a long time.

This trip was mine. Not Melody’s. Not even Cash’s. Whatever he needed me in Rome for, I was going to make sure to carve out time for myself. See what I want to see, eat what I want to eat, and have some experiences to remember.

Just Cleo Quinn in Rome, taking up her full amount of space.

CHAPTER 17