Page 86 of Forever Fake

He rolls his eyes. “Go. Stay out of trouble. Anything goes wrong, then you call me.”

“You got it. Bye.”

He murmurs something under his breath, but I don’t catch it because I’m already sliding into the taxi’s backseat.

We spend the next two weeks sight-seeing during the days and partying in clubs and on private yachts at night, slowly working our way south along the eastern side of Italy. We stay in Venice, Bologna, and Bari, before getting to Messina and working our way up the western side.

Getting away from our lives, staying in luxury hotels, and just being in the world has done us both good. Elena’s less gloomy. And I… I’m still mad at Blake. Three weeks and still no word from him. Maybe he thinks he’s doing the right thing by giving me space or some other ridiculous male rationale. Whatever. I don’t care.

Except sometimes at night when I miss him so much it’s physically painful. On those nights, I cry myself to sleep, but by morning I’m okay. I need to be more than okay, for Elena. My issues are nothing compared to hers, I’m sure of it, and this trip is just as much for her as it is for me.

We’re taking the long route to Naples, driving along the coastal road, when I spot a sign that saysFor Salein Italian. I veer off the road so suddenly that Elena shrieks.

“Sorry! But look!” I park in front of a sprawling mansion set right into the hillside overlooking the sea. “This is gorgeous. Let’s take a look.”

“Um, okay. At a house? Why?” Elena gets out of the car.

“I don’t know yet. Just for fun?” I’m not sure what’s caught my attention about this place, it’s just a whim, an adventure.

After poking around the exterior of the vacant property and taking in the amazing views, I call the number on the for sale sign. The realtor shows up ten minutes later and tours the interior with us. As soon as I step into the stone floored living room with an entire wall of windows overlooking turquoise waters, my heart sings.

For the first time in weeks, I feel light and bubbly–happy. This is a state of being I yearn to capture forever.

“How much is it?” I ask the realtor.

She brings up the specifications on her tablet. “It’s listed at twelve point five. But the sellers are quite motivated as they’ve already moved into their new home.”

“Twelve point five..?” I’m not familiar with housing costs.

“Million.”

Twelve and a half million euros for this place? That’s a lot of money. A huge chunk. Like lightning, an idea sparks to life.

“If the buyers can sign the paperwork today, I’ll take it.”

“That’s…very fast, Mrs. Baron. These things take time, there’s inspections and?—”

“I’ll make it an even thirteen million euros, if they’ll sell today. Waive all of that other stuff, I don’t need it.”

“Oh. Okay.” She looks at me like I’ve lost my mind, but I don’t care. Then she’s on her phone, speaking rapid-fire Italian.

Elena comes up to me. “Are you seriouslybuyingthis place?”

“Yep. I love it. It’s gorgeous.” I gesture at the modern, updated kitchen, and all the other amenities. “Besides, we need to move you out of Aunt Antonia’s place. This is perfect. We can live here together.”

Elena side-eyes me. “You’re doing this for us?”

“Yes. And… maybe Blake will finally notice when his account drops by about thirteen and a half million dollars.”

She snorts. “I’m guessing he’ll notice all right. You’re crazy.”

I grin. Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned… or ignored by her husband.

CHAPTER 39

Blake

“Sir, are you saying that you’d like to let the charge go through?” The credit card representative sounds shocked. “It’s thirteen and a halfmilliondollars.”

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