Page 37 of The First Time

While she is getting ready in the bathroom, I get on my phone and find a hotel that has an availably for tonight. If we’re going to Venice, it’s not gonna be for a couple of hours just to turn back. These websites that have all the hotels with their availability make it simple to find something within minutes.

I’m not picky. All I need is a place to sleep, and this one looks nice enough. It’s right on the main canal too, with really good reviews. I grab my backpack and start throwing a change of clothes into it, making sure to leave enough room for her things as well. I don’t want her trying to carry her own bag through the streets of Venice.

“Just booked a hotel for the night. Pack whatever you want in my backpack,” I tell her the second she walks out of the bathroom.

“You’re serious right now?” she says with a smile.

I laugh to myself as I hand her the bag. “Why is this so hard for you to believe?”

She seems to ponder my words. “I don’t know. I’ve never been with anyone who’s willing to be so spontaneous.”

I’m not sure what to do with that. Who would be with a woman as incredible as her and not strive to make every single day special for her? It irks me that she’s been with such selfish assholes.

She packs her things in my backpack while I purchase our train tickets. By the time she’s done, I have a car waiting downstairs for us. I don’t know how people traveled in foreign countries before everything was available in the blink of an eye on your phone.

We grab a breakfast bar and a to-go cup of coffee, then hop in the car.

On the train ride, she scoots closer to me and leans her head on my shoulder. I wrap my arm around her, and we both sit there in silence while I hold her like she’s mine. It’s a bit surreal that I get to do this.

The moment we walk out of the train station, it’s like we’re magically transported into another world. We’re immediately in front of the water of one of the canals. There is a row of public water buses and private water taxis docked directly in front of us.

Without the hassle of lugging two large suitcases around, we don’t really have to worry about hopping on a bus or taxi.

I grab her hand and lace our fingers together. “Where to first, Freckles?”

“Food?” she asks with excitement. “Somewhere on the water.”

I smile. “I don’t think we’ll have a hard time finding that here.”

We stroll across so many bridges that I lose count, walking along the water until we find this great place right on the main canal that has outdoor seating. Of course, we order a bottle of wine because it’s Italy, and why not?

I struggle with the menu as usual since it’s all in Italian. “What’s this?” I ask Layla as I point to the menu.

“Oh, Spaghetti al Nero Di Seppia. It’s spaghetti cooked in black squid ink. It’s a Venetian specialty. You should try it.”

“Cooked in squid ink? Interesting. I guess I’ll give it a try. When in Rome,” I say with a wink.

She chuckles. “Haha…you’re hilarious.”

We drink our wine and admire the view of boats and gondolas going by. Once our food is out, I look down at my pasta, wondering what the hell I got myself into. It’s completely black. I’ve never even heard of putting squid ink on something; the color in itself is intimidating.

“I promise if you like seafood, you’ll like this,” she tells me, clearly picking up on my hesitation. “Ooh, they even put some scallops on top for you.”

I’m not so sure, but I spin the spaghetti on my fork and give it a try. Layla watches me intently, trying to gauge my reaction.

I nod my head as I chew. It’s actually delicious. The pasta is cooked perfectly, while the lemon and garlic sauce seem to have a saltier taste to it. I wonder if it’s the ink.

I smile up at her. “It’s incredible.”

Layla’s eyes open wide. Her head falls back as she begins laughing. “Oh my god!”

“What?” I ask, looking behind me.

She claps her hands together as tears begin to roll down her cheeks. She grabs her phone on the table. “Please, please, smile for me again.”

“Smile for you? Why?”

“The ink,” she continues through her laughs. “Your teeth are black.”

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