“That must be hard.”
Tack understood where I came from, which helped. “It is.” I got into bed. “Will you read me something, Tack?”
I heard shifting on the other side of the phone. “What would you like me to read to you?”
“Anything.”
Tonight, the last thing I wanted was to be alone with my thoughts. Tonight I wanted to distance myself from it all.
“It was a time of old. A time of new. It was a time for all men to unite.” Tack’s voice chased away all of my demons as I settled into a deep sleep.
Last night had been intimate as I fell asleep to the sound of Tack reading to me. There had been no nightmares to chase away. I had peace while I slept.
The tolling of the bells brought my attention back to the Duomo. People milled about below. Tourists were easy to spot with their maps and confused looks. Some looked up at the Duomo with awe. I loved watching people fall in love with Italy.
From the first time my parents brought me here, I’d been a goner as I fell in love with the city. Early in the mornings while Mom slept, Dad would bring me to one of the artesian squares. We’d set up our canvases and paint the dawn until Mom called us home for breakfast.
Those were happy times. The best. I wished I had them back.
The beautiful city’s sounds comforted me as they wafted in through the open balcony door while I set about unpacking. Halfway through my suitcase I remembered to let Tack know I’d arrived.
Rummaging through my bag, I was unable to find my phone. “Shit. Where is it?”
Then I remembered stuffing it in the side pocket.
Me: Made it. I have a beautiful view of the city.
Tack: I’m glad. I hoped you thought of me on the plane over there.
Me: Are you flirting with me?
Tack: Maybe. Is it working?
Me: Hmmm… send me chocolates and I’ll say yes.
Tack: Done.
Me: Thank you for reading to me last night.
Tack: Anytime, sweetheart. It was my pleasure.
Tack was kind. I wondered what the woman he’d loved had done to break his heart. It had to have been terrible. My mind became occupied with possibilities while I finished putting my clothes in the armoire. Yawning, I decided to take a nap. My energy was zapped.
It was a perfect morning. Manicured within an inch of my life after using the spa services, I was fresh from a nap, sitting on the balcony and sketching in my notepad. My damp hair piled on top of my head allowed the fresh air to invigorate me. Being a wingman definitely paid off.
Knock.
Knock.
Knock.
“Ms. Russo. It’s Tomas. I have a delivery for you.”
I put my sketchbook aside as I called, “Coming!”
When I opened the door, the bellhop looked at ease. Things must have gone well today, which was good. “Good evening, Ms. Russo. This came for you.”
I didn’t expect anything.
A cream envelope was adhered to a black box with a ribbon. “Thank you, Tomas. Have a wonderful evening.”
“You, too, Ms. Russo.”
It had been a while since I received a gift. I figured it was from Carson, who was always doing small things like this for me.
The door closed. As I took the envelope out from underneath the silk ribbon, I noticed my name was written in an elegant script.
Slipping my index finger underneath the seal of the envelope, I pulled it apart.
I opened it and covered my mouth.
My heart skipped a few beats with the romantic gesture. Tack. I was filled with anxiousness to be near him again. Over the past week, things had changed—or rather I allowed them to change. There had been something more since the moment we first met, but the timing was off. The timing was still a little off considering the uphill battle I faced. But it had become impossible to keep my emotions at bay. I wanted to feel again. Even if this went nowhere, I wanted to enjoy the journey.
Words from Dad echoed through my mind. “To take a chance on love is worth everything.” By no means were we in love, but sometimes it was important to let your heart guide you, regardless of how fragile it felt. Hopefully, through this journey, my already-broken state wouldn’t become shattered.
Inside the box sat elegant chocolates wrapped in tissue, like I’d asked for. In fact, they were dark chocolate truffles—my favorite. An excited giggle came out. I took a bite, and the chocolate melted in my mouth. It was succulent. I let out a small moan as the rich chocolate assaulted my taste buds.
Not able to wait a minute more, I ran to the burner phone and dialed his number.
Me: I got your gift. Thank you! Truffles are my favorite. Especially Italian truffles.
Tack: I’m glad you like them. Did you read the note?
I wasn’t able to wipe the grin off my face as I gave a very Tack-like response.
Me: Yes.
I let out a little surprised scream when the phone rang.
Tentatively, I answered. “Hello?”
“Are you going to keep me waiting?”
Those butterflies returned in full force. “Maybe.”
The deep vibrations from his chuckle brought more excitement. This was crazy how utterly schoolgirlish I felt.
“Can you give me a little more? It’s been a while since I’ve put myself out there like this. I’m nervous.”
That sobered me. Again, Tack was transparent in so many ways when it came to his emotions, it felt like I knew him on a deeper level. It both thrilled and daunted me at the same time. “I feel it, too, Tack. But it scares me. You say we’ve met, but I don’t know who you are.”
“I’m scared, too. You know me, Willow. What we’ve shared over the last few weeks is more than skin deep.”
I listened to his words. “It is.”
Knock.
Knock.
Knock.
“Willow. It’s Carson.”
I let out a deep breath, not ready for Carson to see me using a burner phone. “Carson is at the door. I need to go.”
“Be safe. Call me if you need anything.”
“I will. Thank you…” I wanted to say for bringing me back to life, giving me faith in finding something more again, protecting me. But I ended it simply, hoping he understood my meaning. “For everything.”
“You, too, sweetheart.”
Disconnecting the call, I said to Carson, “Coming. Give me just a sec.”
There wasn’t proper time to dissect our conversation and soothe my frayed nerves.
Opening the door revealed a freshly showered Carson in a gunmetal gray suit. “Aw, you look adorable for your date.”
Tonight, Carson was seeing Francesca alone at my insistence. They needed it. And now, I was glad I would have time to myself, too.
He dragged a hand down his face, and I saw the panic in his eyes. “I’m nervous. Can you come take a look at something and tell me what you think before Francesca gets here?”
“Of course.”
I grabbed my room key and followed Carson down the hall, enjoying this new side of him. Never before had he acted like this over a girl. I wanted to gibe him about it, but by the looks of him, it might push him over the edge. I mashed my lips together to keep from chuckling at the poor guy.
He walked faster. It took a slight jog for me to keep up with him. No doubt he was more than nervous. Turning the corner, I saw white rose petals on the floor forming a trail to the end of the corridor.