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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 to 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. 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, itisawkward, 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.
“For sure,” I say just before he pulls the headphones on.
It is going to be an adventure. He doesn’t know the half of it. I glance over at him; his eyes are closed again.
It’s a big summer for me.
Maybe he can...
No. No. Juno, don’t even think about it.
I study him.But maybe...
He opens his eyes again and pulls down his headphones. “Is there something I can help you with?”
I almost choke and shake my head rapidly. He studies me cautiously and then settles back with his headphones on.
Is there something I can help you with? I nearly laugh out loud.
Yes. There is. I very much need his help with something. The truth is I have a problem that I’m determined to fix this summer.
I’m a virgin.
I run my hands over my face. God, it’s so embarrassing to think about. I’m twenty-two, and I refuse to graduate from college still a virgin.
I steal a few glances at Bode. I mean, honestly, that would be ideal. I find him attractive - really, really attractive. I already know he’s a great kisser, and we have amazing physical chemistry. I dream about our kiss at least once a week. Okay, more than once a week if I’m being honest. It still makes my toes curl.
Bode is a nice guy.A good guy. I don’t care about being in love or anything like that, but it would be nice for my first time to be with someone I know – someone I trust.
No. No. No.
