Page 65

But these aren’t the arms I want to find refuge in. I wish more than anything David was here so I could throw my arms around his neck and give him a long, passionate kiss goodbye.

Unfortunately, he’s taking this three-week-break thing very seriously. I haven’t heard a word from him in five days. Even when my sisters and I were next door packing up the house and hauling everything off to storage.

I already miss him so much.

And Mo. I hate leaving him behind too, but I know my sisters will take good care of him.

With one more hug for my father and my sisters, I walk to the security checkpoint, pausing to wave to my family one last time.

Thirty minutes later, I’m seated on the plane and check my phone before putting it on airplane mode.

I have one missed text and the name on the screen makes my heart come to life with little flutters of happiness.

David: Enjoy the first day of your grand adventure. I miss you already.

My eyes mist over with happy tears and I grin so big the spill over onto my cheeks.

Isabella: I miss you too.

I wake up late the next afternoon in my hotel room in Venice… Yes, afternoon. Jet lag is intense.

The new Monaco Hotel location is gorgeous. The style of the architecture was inspired by the Doge’s Palace in St. Mark’s Square, and the intricate details fit here in Venice so well. Although the room I’m staying in isn’t a luxury suite like the one I toured in Kansas City, it’s still beautiful and has a large window and balcony with a great view of the Adriatic Sea. The first thing I did when I got in early this morning was open the windows to let the ocean breeze in. The white gauzy curtains blow in the wind, making the room look like a dream. I sat on the balcony and watched the gondolas row by for a while, but I was so tired I could hardly stay awake.

The queen-sized bed is adorned with the same fluffy, white linens as the room I saw back in the states and it’s just as comfortable as it looks. Like sleeping on a marshmallow. This room is much smaller, partially due to the fact that there’s just a lot less space in Europe. But it’s so cozy and romantic.

Which, of course, just makes me wish David was here. Sharing a tent with him was fun, but what would it be like to wake up next to him in this luxurious bed?

I can picture him asleep here, with the down comforter over his lower half and his chest exposed. The smattering of his dark chest hair contrasting with the white bedding. His glasses and night guard case neatly arranged on the nightstand beside him. And one arm thrown over his eyes like he so often did in his sleep in Peru. I smile at the bed before realizing this is all a stupid daydream, and he’s not really here.

Glancing at the little white desk across from the bed where I set my laptop and new camera this morning, I decide to finish the article I began a few days ago. I calculate that I have three hours before the Monaco Hotel Gala tonight… just enough time to put my final touches on my “Midwest Food and Entertainment” article before I get dolled up for the party.

I had the idea to pay homage to my home state the day after my fight with Mama. The first place listed in my article of the top ten places to eat is Abuela’s Restaurant. Of course, I don’t draw attention to the fact that it’s my family’s restaurant, wanting to keep a piece of anonymity and also respect my family’s privacy. I could’ve written an entire article about Abuela’s alone with all of the photos I’ve taken of the staff, food, and decor. But I keep it simple.

After an hour of editing and making sure the article is perfect, I set it to appear on Isa’s Itinerary first thing in the morning.

I spend the rest of my time getting ready for the semi-formal gala celebrating Monaco’s 100th location. I ordered a dress on Amazon before I left the States, knowing I wouldn’t have time to find a dress once I arrived here. The pink tiered, floor length dress drapes over my body perfectly. I love how it’s flowy and moves with me, swishing around my feet when I walk. The dress is loose-fitting but shows off my tanned arms with two spaghetti straps that tie at my shoulders. Each tier of the dress is a different color of pink, creating an ombré effect.

Keeping my hair simple, since my dress has a wow factor on its own, I part it down the center and sweep it back into a low, braided chignon. Adding shimmery lotion to my skin and some large gold hoop earrings, my look is complete. I have just enough time to set up my tripod and new Nikon camera and take some photos for my website before I head downstairs.

I grab my small gold clutch bag before opening the hotel room door and stepping out into the narrow hallway when I see Bridget exiting her room across the hall.

She looks up and her eyes widen. “That dress is amazing!” Bridget tells me, making a circular motion with her index finger so I’ll do a spin for her.

I oblige and twirl around, making my dress fan out at the bottom then twist around my ankles.

“You have to tell me where you got it,” she says, her mouth agape as she studies the tiers of my dress.

I giggle. “Uh, it was like twenty dollars on Amazon.”

Bridget gasps. “You’re kidding!” She smooths her own sleek dress with one hand. “This boring old thing cost me nearly a grand.”

My eyebrows raise. I can’t imagine spending that much on a dress. “Well, you look gorgeous,” I say as we begin walking toward the stairs. Bridget always looks stunning and classy. She has this simple yet sophisticated style that exudes good taste and money.

“Thank you.” She winks before grabbing onto the railing and heading down the steps on her sky-high stilettos.

The elevator is minuscule, so despite our footwear, stairs are the easy choice.

We make it to the bottom of the stairs without tripping, and Bridget blows out a breath of relief. “I have so many people to introduce you to tonight!”