Page 2 of Marry Me in Rome

Could I say a single word without it being critiqued by this man? “Excuse me?

He patted his dog, wearing a small smile as if this were all a big joke. Then I realized I just asked him to pardon me, which seemed as bad as the apology thing, and grew even more flustered. He twisted everything that came out of my mouth.

“He enjoys provoking you, Jillie,” Kennedy jumped in. My oldest sister often took it upon herself to act like Mom, which was occasionally heartwarming but more often annoying. “Just ignore him.”

Ignore him? The man smirking at me from across the table, thinking he’s won?I nearly stood to leave, except I had one moresmall bite left of pasta left and that was more precious than gold. So I slid that deliciousness onto my fork and lifted it carefully to my mouth.

And just as before, Matteo’s gaze followed the fork to my lips.

He thought he knew my type, but it was the other way around. I’d known plenty of Matteos over the years, starting with Pete McRussell in fourth grade. The type of guy who irritated a girl to get her attention.

Well, Matteo wouldn’t get what he wanted today—the irritation or the girl.

I finished chewing and swallowed. So blasted good.I seriously considered licking the plate before remembering my every move was being watched.

You’re a grown woman, Jillie. Act like it.

“So, Matteo,” Kennedy said, drawing his attention. “You lived with Hunter shortly after he moved to Paris, right? I’d love to hear how that happened.”

“A rental mix-up.” Hunter shot Matteo a meaningful glance that clearly said,Stop being an idiot. “After my internship, we both contracted for the same flat, so we decided to share it and split the rent. It worked out fine.”

“Let me guess,” I said. “He and the dog got the bed and you slept on the couch?”

Hunter laughed. “Matteo, I have a feeling she’s going to win this little feud of yours.”

Matteo leaned back and crossed one leg over the other, as if he had all day. “I’m surprised some Americans have time to travel with so many cats and plants to take care of.”

I pride myself in being a happy, positive person. Mom called me “sunshine” for a reason. But something about this man made me bristle like a barberry bush, and I didn’t like it.

You’re letting Matteo control the mood,I told myself, and shook off the gloom. We were in Rome and all together, the twomost important things. I refused to allow an annoying stranger to ruin this for us.

I opened my travel app and counted the items on my tourist list. We’d only seen two of the thirteen so far, and we had a day and a half left to do the rest. I’d even looked up the best photography locations and angles and everything. Not only did I have a duty to my sisters, but to my followers. All eighty thousand of them.

Not to mention my mom, who gave me the camera in the first place. No matter where I went in the world, I had a little piece of her with me. That and the two sisters at my side, strained relationships or not, were the closest I could get to having Mom here.

The thought of returning alone to the house that had once been full of laughter and family members made my heart ache. I loved that house. More than that, I loved the memories. But I couldn’t cherish good memories without remembering the bad, and there were plenty of those too. Dad and Alexis leaving. Mom passing away. And now Kennedy dating Hunter. . .

I imagined what it’d be like when Kennedy moved out. Would they end up in Paris after all, thousands of miles away? I didn’t like the thought.

Stop. It. Right. Now.

“Where’s the server?” Kennedy pulled out her purse. “It’s my turn to pay and I’m not arguing about it, so you can close your mouth, Jillie.”

My jaw snapped shut. I wanted to argue, but my phone buzzed. A message from Hunter to me and Alexis. I saw movement out of the corner of my eye as she pulled out her own phone.

I arranged a private pizza cooking class for Kennedy and it starts in thirty minutes. Do you two mind if I steal her for the rest of the day? I checked with your grandpa’s attorney and she said it wouldn’t violate the terms to be away for a few hours.

An Italian cooking class,in Rome.I loved—absolutely loved—pizza and Kennedy rarely ate Italian. It didn’t seem fair. The whole experience sounded amazing, and I wasn’t even invited.

More importantly, we were supposed to be traveling together as sisters for the entire month—according to Eleanor, the attorney, we wouldn’t get our grandfather’s inheritance otherwise. But as cute as Kennedy and Hunter were, it was hard to pretend we didn’t see their secret kisses and the whispers meant only for each other.

The day would come when I could share a romantic Italian cooking class with a man I loved. Today was Kennedy’s chance, though, and I needed be happy for her.

Alexis seemed to feel the same way, so we nodded slightly to Hunter. His chin dipped ever so slightly as he bent over his phone. Then a second message came, this time just to me.

Matteo has agreed to show you two around the city. I feel better about leaving you in his hands than sending you off alone. But if he’s really getting under your skin, I’ll send him away.

Kennedy closed her purse and handed her credit card to the server as he walked by. “So what does everyone want to see next?”

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