AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I laugh. “That’s specific.”
He grunts.
“Any particular kind?”
“All of it.”
We’re flying to Italy to meet Declan and Maggie in Florence. They’ve been staying in a villa for a few weeks now and the rest of the family is coming to join, minus James and Elizabeth. Apparently, being President of the United States comes with a lot of perks but running off to Europe for the summer is not one of them. James told us he’s trying to work out a quick trip after some summit thing he has to attend in Brussels later this summer. The trip is just family other than Bodie. Eli invited him, which is how we find ourselves sitting side by side for the next ten hours.
“Well, I’m looking forward to gelato,” I say.
He doesn't open his eyes or make a sound.
“I read about this gelato place in Rome that one of the Popes would have delivered to the Vatican. I have to try it. I figure if it’s good enough for the Pope, it’s good enough for me.”
He opens one eye. “Is that right?”
“It’s basically my life motto.”
He snorts.
“It’s never failed me.”
“Oh really?”
I nod. He’s still looking at me with one eye.
“Wanna come?”
He opens both eyes. “To the Pope’s gelato place?”
I shrug. “Yeah. When we’re in Rome? I think it’s near the Spanish steps.”
“Yeah. I guess.” He looks uncomfortable and then he says. “What’s the itinerary? I literally have no clue. Eli just told me to come so I showed up.”
I sit up straighter and turn to face him. “Oh, I’m so glad you asked.”
He chuckles. “I’m sure you are.”
“We’re starting in Florence and then we’ll move over to Rome. Amalfi coast is next. Venice after that. I’m going to a cooking school in Tuscany for two weeks and then the very end is a little up in the air. I heard Eli and Declan talking about the Dolomites. I don’t know. We’re still figuring some of it out.”
“Cooking class?” He arches his eyebrow.
“Yeah. I’m excited. I’m going to learn how to make pasta and gnocchi and focaccia. I can’t wait.”
He studies me for a moment and says, “Are the others doing it? Is there room for more?”
I’m trying not too look too excited. “Are you interested?”
He thinks for a minute. “Yeah. Is Eli doing it?”
My face lights up. “We can convince him. Do it with me. I’d love company.”
He rubs his chin. “Yeah. I’ll talk to Eli about it, but that actually sounds great.”
Well, I’m surprised. Not that he wants to do it - a cooking course in Tuscany is amazing. I’m just surprised he’s willing to do it if I’m doing it. When Eli told me he was coming, I worried it was going to be awkward. I mean, it is awkward, but I’m hoping it won’t be awkward the whole trip.
“Sounds like it’s going to be a real adventure.” He pulls his noise canceling headphones out of his bag, a not-so-subtle hint for me to shut up.
