Don't Hold Back (Love Hurts 4)

I watch her, wishing I could take the pain away from her.

“I can handle my symptoms pretty well at the moment, but it’s not going to always be that way.”

“I think brain cancer is one of the worst, because it targets who you are as a person,” I say quietly.

A sad smile crosses her lips. “I guess that’s the one good thing about mine. Where it is, my ability to breathe is likely to go first, so I’ll probably be dead before it has a chance to do that.”

She’s exactly the kind of person I want to help. All those years of study, late nights, and pressure would’ve been worth it if it meant helping just one person. Before things got out of hand, I loved my course. I studied hard and did well, because in the back of my mind I knew one day I’d be living my dream. It was the one instance I where didn’t give a damn what my father thought. The only expectations I wanted to exceed were my own, and that was easy because it was my passion.

I wasn’t doing it for my father. I was doing it for myself, and I refused to let him or anyone else ruin it for me. As it turned out, I didn’t need his help. I did a good enough job of ruining things myself.

After dinner we walk back to the hotel, passing the colosseum on the way. It’s an amazing sight, but Erin barely seems to notice, too lost in her own thoughts to appreciate being in one of the most history-rich places in the world.

“Y

ou might be the only person to ever stand in front of the colosseum and not care,” I chuckle.

“How can you say that?” she gasps, whacking me across the arm. She looks around, her bright blue eyes taking everything in. “I’m in awe of how incredible this place is. It’s just a little bit overwhelming that I’m actually here, experiencing this.”

“I was just teasing,” I say. I put my arm around her shoulder.

She looks up at me, surprised, but goes with it.

“Relax and you’ll enjoy it a whole lot more.”

“That’s what he said,” she jokes, giggling as I laugh. “Where to now?”

“What else do you want to see?” I ask. “Why Rome?”

“Because it’s the heart of Italy. It’s so busy and alive.” Her face lights up as she speaks. “I just wanted to surround myself in that passion and history.”

“Then let’s do that.” I grin.

She smiles a curious smile as I take her hand.

“Where are you taking me?” she laughs. “I thought you couldn’t wait to go to sleep.”

“Nah, I’m having too much fun,” I say. It’s the truth. I’d forgotten how tired I was until she mentioned it. I’m enjoying her company too much to end the night just yet.

We approach the Trevi Fountain, and even in the distance it commands our attention. The huge, sprawling palace behind it is almost glowing in the moonlight. The stunning combination of art and architecture is breathtaking.

“Oh, wow,” Erin breathes. Her pace increases to match her excitement, until she’s succeeded in dragging me to the front of the fountain. I have to admit, it’s pretty impressive. I remember being here when I was seven, with my mum and Noah, and being mesmerised.

“Look how smooth the stone is,” she murmurs, “and the way the coins glisten against the water.” She turns to me. “Did you know it took twenty years to make? That kind of passion and commitment is incredible, huh?” She fishes around in her pocket and pulls out a coin. “Can’t visit the fountain and not throw a coin in.” She hands me her phone. “Take a picture.”

I grin as she positions herself at the optimum angle to allow for the best throw. She’s concentrating so hard that it’s funny.

“What?” she asks when she notices me looking at her.

“Nothing,” I chuckle. “It has to go over your shoulder to work.” I step closer to her and put my hands on her waist, manoeuvring her slightly to her left. “There,” I murmur.

She blushes, then smiles.

I step back and snap a photo of her smiling face. “Don’t forget to make a wish.”

“They say if you throw it correctly, you’ll return to Rome.”

“Then you’d better get it right,” I say.