Page 26 of Finding Love in the Clouds

“Ready. We’re going to have to take the elevator separately. We will never fit in it with bags. You go first, and I will follow. Oh, I grabbed you another cornetto.”

“Mm, these are so good. I’m going to be fifty pounds heavier when we get home if I keep eating like this!”

“But it will be fun,” he teased.

“It’s always more fun putting the pounds on than taking them off,” she whined.

“I will have a treadmill put in your office so you can take running breaks,” he offered.

“No thanks. I like my knees too much. Now, a pool. That would make for some great exercise. Ever swam laps?” she inquired as they walked down the hall.

“Yes, actually. We had a YMCA in our town, and I was a lifeguard for a short time. Never swam in school; I was more of the chess team type.”

Stepping onto the elevator and punching the button, she added, “Of course you were. See you downstairs.”

In no time at all, they were loaded onto the large Grey Hound-style charter bus and headed down the busy streets of Rome, heading out of town. The tour guide pointed out various landmarks as they passed,giving a brief history for those who had just arrived and not had time to explore on their own.

About thirty minutes into the journey, the bustling city gave way to the Italian countryside with rolling hills, lush vineyards, and charming farmhouses. The scenery was stunning, with the rising sun casting golden hues over the landscape.

Halfway through the three-hour journey, the bus stopped at a quaint countryside café so the group could stretch their legs, use the restroom, and grab a quick traditional Italian breakfast for those who slept in and missed the morning meal. Freshly baked cornettos, rich espresso, and the smell of citrus from nearby lemon trees created a perfect start to the day. The sound of birds chirping and a light breeze added to the peaceful ambiance.

“I could move here in a heartbeat,” Sophie said with a sigh, taking in the beauty surrounding her as she sipped a fresh cappuccino.

“Me too. It’s like a whole other world compared to the hustle and bustle of the city we are used to. L.A. might not be New York City, but it can’t compare to the tranquility found here,” Fernando added thoughtfully, placing his arm around Sophie’s waist as one of the elderly couples from their tour exited the building.

“Aren’t you two just so cute,” a woman named Tabbitha, who couldn’t be a day under eighty, cooed as she walked by. “Enjoy the love that blooms in your youth; you only get it once.” She patted Fernando’s arm as she made her way past them to reclaim her seat on the bus.

“Soph, I’ve noticed a distinct age difference between us and the other tour guests. Care to explain.”

Sophie turned her innocent gray eyes up to meet his warm brown ones and smiled triumphantly. “I’m a genius. What can I say? You wanted to travel incognito, so who better to benormal with than a bunch of senior citizens? Either they have no idea who you are, or they won’t care. Either way, win!

“You booked us on a geriatric tour?” His stunned face made her laugh.

“Yep. Would you have preferred I scheduled you on the Flirting with Fettuccine or Murder & Mozzarella tours? There were plenty of tour options for singles and mystery lovers. I thought this Sightseeing Seniors tour would help your cause a little better. And for the record, it wasn’t easy getting two kids under fifty-five on this trip.”

“I can imagine. What exactly did you have to do to make that happen?” Fernando asked, wondering if he really wanted to know.

“Not too much. Lots of begging, pleading, and a tiny bribe or two.”

“Oh, nothing big… just a bribe. How much are we talking, and to whom? Bribes are usually frowned upon and make great headlines for the tabloids.”

“No worries. Everyone signed NDAs agreeing not to sell any stories aboutanyoneon the trip, no social media posts for thirty days after the trip ends, and in exchange, an anonymous person paid for their little trip to be extended a week into Switzerland and Germany. They don’t know who the rich benefactor is, but I don’t think it takes a rocket scientist to figure out it is one of us. Now, are they savvy enough to figure out who you are is the question. Either way, you don’t have to worry. They all passed extensive background checks, and Enrique is monitoring their communications for any infractions of the NDA that we need to be aware of to circumvent a paparazzi storm.”

“All of that was arranged through legal?” Fernando questioned, uneasy with the extreme lengths taken to protect his identity.

“Yes. They signed permission for their data to be monitored for the duration of the trip. Did they know that was what they were signing? Who knows, but they did. Anthony and the FK legal team made sureeverything was above board. Relax. We went to great lengths to make sure this trip would be easy for you. Have fun. Let loose a little. No one is watching, I promise,” Sophie assured him, giving him a little squeeze before making her way back to the bus.

As the bus traveled towards Pompeii, Alicia, their ever-enthusiastic tour guide, began sharing insights about the scenery.

“Ladies and gentlemen, as we make our way to Pompeii, take a moment to look out of your windows and soak in the picturesque landscapes of Southern Italy. We’re passing through the stunning Campania region, known for its lush countryside and rolling vineyards. You might notice the endless rows of grapevines; this area is famous for producing some of Italy’s finest wines, including the robust Aglianico and the aromatic Falanghina.

To your right, you’ll see the majestic outline of Mount Vesuvius dominating the horizon. This infamous volcano, which erupted in 79 AD, buried Pompeii under a blanket of ash and pumice. It’s quite a sight, isn’t it? A sleeping giant that shaped history.

As we approach the coastline, the sparkling waters of the Tyrrhenian Sea will come into view. On clear days, you might even catch a glimpse of the Sorrento Peninsula jutting out into the sea, a prelude to the Amalfi Coast’s dramatic cliffs and charming villages.

The road ahead will start to wind through quaint towns and villages, each with their own unique charm. Keep an eye out for the traditional Mediterranean architecture with terracotta rooftops, narrow streets, and vibrant bougainvillea cascading over stone walls.

And don’t forget to breathe in the fresh air. You might catch the scent of citrus groves – oranges and lemons are abundant here, contributing to the region’s famed Limoncello liqueur.

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