Page 8 of Marry Me in Rome

The thought of plastering him with paint balls certainly appealed to me, but I had a feeling it’d end up the other way around. The guy looked like he knew his way around an arena of any kind.

I forced a smile. “No, you go. I’ll meet you on the ship tonight.”

“Are you sure?” Her eyes flicked to Matteo.

“Positive.” As annoying as Matteo could be at times, I didn’t fear him. I couldn’t forget how his arms enveloped me so protectively at the Mouth of Truth. No, I was in no danger from him. Not in the way most women feared. “Go have fun. We’re only revisiting the places you’ve seen anyway.”

Alex didn’t argue at that. She gave me a quick hug. “Call me if you need anything. I’ll be here in minutes.”

“Will do.”

She nodded and trotted toward her friends, disappearing with them into the crowd.

“Why did you do that?” Matteo asked.

“Sorry, but I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Another apology. You throw those around like candy.”

“Yet you haven’t offered a single one, and you owe me several by now.” I turned to face him, folding my arms. “What do you mean? Why did I do what?”

“Your sister leaving bothered you, but you pretended it didn’t. You did that at lunch too. Hunter left with Kennedy, and you wore the exact same expression.”

If we meant to explore the city alone together, I had to make one thing clear. I lifted my chin. “Okay, look. The last thing I need right now is a therapy session from my tour guide. My family is complicated, and I’ll deal with it in my own way. In the meantime, tell me why you want so desperately to get under my skin. Did I offend you? Am I wearing the wrong color shirt or something? Normally, I’m a very friendly and happy person, but you’re bringing the claws out.”

Some of the mirth faded, and his expression turned serious once more. “You remind me of someone.”

“Oh? And I must be punished for whatever that person did to you? Real mature.” I gestured to the road. “If we’re going to do this, let’s do this.”

He didn’t budge. “It doesn’t seem fair, put that way. Maybe I do owe you an apology.”

“An apology, you? This’ll be good.” I folded my arms and tapped my foot. “I’m waiting.”

He blinked, his smile turning soft. “I didn’t say right now.”

“Yeah, that’s what I thought. So predictable.”

He took a step forward at that. “And you, my dear, are anything but.”

It took a moment for that to register. By the time my body unfroze and my brain caught up, he was already striding away.

“Punto Panoramico is a fifteen-minute walk,” he called over his shoulder. “We only have a few hours left of daylight. Let’s pick up the pace.”

I tuggedon my father’s shirttail once more, annoyed that he kept talking on the phone and didn’t acknowledge my presence. “Can we go to the dog park now? Please?”

“Just a minute,” he whispered, then turned back to the phone. “I’m telling you, Brent, the DOW behaved exactly as I predicted.”

I stood straight and gave his shirt a strong, final yank. “Daddy. You said we could go to the dog park today.”

He gritted his teeth and turned away, pulling the cloth from my hands. “Sorry, my youngest. My wife’s visiting her parents. Hang on a sec.” Then he stabbed the phone’s keypad with his finger before glaring at me. “Jillie, I know I promised, but I’m on an important call. Can you find something else to do for a bit?”

Clearly he didn’t understand the importance of the situation. “But you said?—”

“The dog park. Yes, I know. Go get old Jack hooked up on the leash and take him on a little walk until I’m ready, okay?”

I bounded away, the dog following on my heels. Jack was no fool. He knew what the words “little walk” meant.

A moment later, I had a very happy Jack on the leash and my shoes on my feet. “Daddy, we’ll meet you out front!” I called proudly.

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