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“But that was different.”
“How so?”
“Bryce isn’t your boss and the only thing keeping you in the country,” I snap back before rolling over onto my stomach and pushing up on my elbows. “If things go south with Giulio, my great adventure is over before it began. I’d go right back home with my tail between my legs.”
“And how is that a bad thing?”
“Bless it, Maya. For someone who talks such a big game about taking chances and letting fate decide, this should be an easy decision for you,” Charlotte chastised me. “You’re such a hypocrite, you know that?”
“I know, but I can’t help it, Char. It’s never mattered this much before. My heart is at stake.”
“And so was all of ours.”
I pause for a moment and think about what she’s saying. Each one of my friends has had a similar issue happen to them and I always drove them to be brave and take a chance on that mystery man they’d just met. But I never once believed it would happen to me. I expected to come here and have some fun taking care of a little boy for the summer and traveling around Italy and then going back home. I wanted to find direction in my life. Maybe this is the direction I was supposed to be headed all along.
“You told all of us you felt compelled to take this position. Constantly telling us that something was calling you across the ocean to this place and who were you to ignore the call?”
I laugh softly, remembering the numerous conversations we had about my spur-of-the-moment choice to come to Italy. I’ve always been moving through life full throttle, wanting to move on to the next thing as soon as possible. It wasn’t until this moment that I realized I needed that rush of the unexpected to get me through. It’s one reason I’ve never made any hard choice, choosing to fly by the seat of my pants. But this thing with Giulio is different. It’s one of the biggest risks I’ve ever taken in my life, with the hardest repercussions if things don’t go my way.
“I hate it when you’re right,” I mumble into the phone, causing Charlotte to laugh loudly.
I’ve never heard her voice sound so carefree and calm in all the years I’ve known her. She was so focused on making it to graduation and worrying about ending up stuck at her parents’ restaurant, it’s as if a weight has been lifted off her shoulders. And Bryce did that for her. She is a better person because of him, happier even.
“Tell Bryce I said thanks.”
“You’re welcome, but what for?” Bryce’s baritone filters through the line and my cheeks heat.
“Oh em gee, Charlotte! You had me on speaker phone this whole time!?!?”
“I told you we were working on a new recipe,” she whispers, probably feeling horrible about letting Bryce listen in on our conversation.
“Don’t worry, Maya. She probably would’ve told me everything as soon as you got off the phone. She and the girls have been placing bets on when you’d find your prince to sweep you off your feet.”
“Oh, they have, haven’t they?” I roll my eyes before putting them on speaker phone and pulling up a text message.
“You don’t need to text them. I already did. Be prepared for more phone calls soon.”
Just as Charlotte finishes speaking, my phone chimes with two new text messages, one from Ava and the other from Rory.
“I need to find some new friends.” I roll my eyes before dropping the phone on the bed and striding toward my suitcase.
“You love us and would be lost without us.”
“True.” We both giggle as I bend down, grab my bag off the floor, and hoist it onto the bed. Apparently, I have a date to get ready for.
“This is all you guys’ fault.”
“Our fault?!?! You’re the one who dared us all to do something crazy after graduation.”
“You’re the one who brought all the wine and besides, I don’t see any of you complaining.”
“Neither are you,” Charlotte retorts as I grab another sundress from my suitcase and hold it up to my body.
I didn’t really pack anything nice enough to go on a date with anyone, and I want to look nice. The last thing I need is Giulio losing interest before we even explore whatever this is between us.
“And it will also be your fault if I get my heart broken for listening to your advice.”
“Chill out, Maya. Everything is going to be fine. Each one of us found the loves of our lives on our trips. Fate isn’t so cruel to not let you find your own as well. Just have faith.”
