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She gave him a tense smile."I'm not a cook, as you know, but I did make some oatmeal and there's fresh fruit to go in it, if you're interested."
He seemed to be interested in everything that had to do with her."Sounds good," he said, taking a seat at the table.
She brought him a bowl of oatmeal with strawberries and blueberries on the top, and he dug in, knowing that he needed some fuel for the day ahead."Did you already eat?"he asked.
"Yes, but I'm not hungry."
"You're dreading this trip, aren't you?"
"Parts of it.But I know I need to talk to my mom.So that's what I'll do."
He nodded approvingly."I appreciate that.I suspect it won't be easy."
"It really shouldn't be that difficult," she said."But I can't shake the feeling that it will be.Anyway, when do you want to leave?"
"As soon as I take a shower and grab a bag.You should bring some clothes, too.It's a long drive.We may need to stay overnight."
"I've got my tote bag ready to go."
"Good."He finished the last of his oatmeal and then took the bowl to the sink.He rinsed it and put it in the dishwasher.
"I'll start that while you get ready," she told him.
He paused, seeing the stress in her eyes but also her resolve."Did you sleep last night?"
"Better than I thought.You were out when I got up, so you must have slept, too.The lounger couldn't have been that comfortable."
"It was fine.And it was nice to have you nearby."
"It did feel good not to be alone," she murmured.
A silence fell between them, as their gazes clung together.He wanted to fill that silence, but his thoughts were too chaotic and contradictory.He wasn't sure what would come out of his mouth, and this really wasn't the time to find out.
"I'll just be a few minutes," he said, then quickly left the room.He jogged up the stairs to the second floor and headed into the bathroom for a cold, bracing shower that would hopefully clear his head.
They left the house around ten.When they entered the garage, Isabella said, "I can drive, Nick.In fact, I'd really like to, if you're okay with giving up control for a few hours."
He hesitated, then tossed her the keys."All right."
Surprise widened her eyes."Really?I thought you'd insist on driving."
"You were wrong."He liked when he could throw her off balance."I keep telling you, Isabella, that you don't really know me."
"I'm getting to know you pretty well," she said dryly as they got in the car."But we have a long drive ahead of us, so plenty of time to get to know each other even better."
He wasn't opposed to that.He found Isabella more and more interesting by the minute, and he wanted to know everything about her, which was a desire that made him a little uncomfortable.He wasn't used to wanting to know a woman the way he wanted to know her, which was more than physical, although he really wanted that, too.But he also liked the way her mind worked.He liked the way she challenged him.
He told himself not to get carried away.They weren't going on vacation together.They were on a mission to find the truth, to get justice, and that was the only priority.
Fifteen minutes later, he knew a little more about her.She liked to drive fast.She was impatient in the Rome traffic, and quick to mutter a curse at a poor driver.But she had complete control over the vehicle, and he was slightly more comfortable not being behind the wheel in his grandmother's ridiculously compact car, so he was happy with his decision to let her drive.
The traffic thinned once they left Rome and got on the A1 highway with two lanes in each direction.The route took them into Lazio, a region known for rolling hills, olive groves, and vineyards, and once there, Isabella seemed to relax.
"It's beautiful out here," she murmured.
He couldn't help but agree.While Rome had urban charm, the countryside was absolutely beautiful, and it felt good to get away from the city and be in nature on a bright, sunny day.
Despite Isabella's earlier comment that they'd have plenty of time to get to know each other on the trip, neither one of them was talking much.But it wasn't an awkward silence.In fact, it felt very comfortable, which was surprising.
