Page 49 of Marry Me in Rome

“Train is departing,” an automated voice said from the speakers above. “Please stand behind the red line.”

The train began to move.

I trotted after it, throwing my weight into the doors, trying to slide them open again. Then the doors moved out of reach as the train picked up speed, and I had to stop and watch it go. The train exited the station and into the night.

I stood with my hands on my knees, sucking in air like a marathon runner, and wanted to cry. One last chance, and I’d comeso closeto finding him.It didn’t seem fair.

A familiar jingling sound echoed in the tunnel, but I ignored it. My brain barely worked and my body pulsed with adrenaline.

Even if we made it to Venice on our train in the morning and looked for him, I doubted we could find him. Not with my phone missing and his dead. It was like Rome itself conspired to keep us apart.

The jingling sound got louder, and then something smashed into me. I yelped and stumbled to keep my feet, managing to find my balance.

Dante stood by my feet, panting hard. A leash trailed from his collar, and I would’ve sworn he was smiling.

“What—Dante, what are you doing here?” I chuckled and patted him on the head.

“Looking for you, apparently.” Matteo trotted to catch up. He stopped a few feet away. “We took our seats on the train and he decided he wanted to be outside. I’ve never seen him yank the leash out of my hand and run off a train before. You made me leave my backpack behind, you rascal.” He stooped to pat his dog next to my hand.

“I owe you big time, Dante,” I told the mutt, giving him a hug.

Matteo pretended to whisper in the dog’s ear. “I think you won her over.”

“He did. I’m still trying to decide about you.” I smirked and folded my arms.

He ducked his head and grinned ruefully. “I deserved that, and I want you to know that I’m sorry.”

“Hold on. Did you justapologize, Matteo? I didn’t think you capable.”

“What you must think of me, Jillie. Heaven knows you deserve someone who will choose you over his own family without having to think about it.”

Was he saying . . . ? “True, but I don’t know if Dante will come to Venice without you.”

“When you’re done joking about me almost making the biggest mistake of my life, are you going to explain why you’re here and not on a cruise ship headed for Venice?”

“I’ll explain once you tell me why you rejected your mom and bought tickets to Venice.”

“That’s easy. Dante and I had a question for you, and I didn’t get the chance to ask it the first time. Since the situation has changed, though, we’d like to amend the question.”

“Which is?”

“We—I intended to ask you to stay, but I won’t take you from your sisters. Like you said, family is important and you’ll only get to do this trip together once. So Dante and I want to know if you’ll come back afterward and spend some time with us before flying home.”

“Hmm. Sorry, but I’m not sure I like that idea,” I said.

Matteo’s eyebrows narrowed in disappointment. “If you can’t, I’m happy to come to Arizona. I’ll come to you, Jillie, wherever you are, if it means spending more time with you.”

“Aw, that’s sweet, but that’s not what I meant. I’ll return to Rome on one condition, and it’s non-negotiable.”

“Name it.”

“I’m not waiting that long. You and Dante have to come to Venice and spend the entire day with us tomorrow. We’ll get on the next train out, which is . . . ” I strained to see the board. “Six-thirty in the morning?” So much for that idea.

“Or you can say please and get a better ride,” a voice said from behind me. Vivi arrived, along with Alexis and Kennedy. All three wore huge grins.

“My lovely, incredible, talented sister,” Matteo began.

“You forgot clever,” Vivi said.

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