Page 13 of Bound to You

“Yeah, I may have underplayed it a little.” She smiles and waves at a couple passing by.

“You think?”

We make our way to the table closest to us, which is thankfully empty. I need a minute to adjust before I throw myself into more stranger-danger.

My eyes scan the room for Caio without my consent, and they find him far too quickly at a table across the room. He’s got a devastating smile beaming across his face while he laughs at something the woman in front of him has said. She lays her hand on his arm as she throws her head back, joining him in laughing.

They look well-acquainted.

As if feeling my stare resting on his shoulders, his head turns in our direction, and his eyes catch mine gawking at him.

Shit.

I look away as if that makes it any better.

My attention snaps back to our table as a server in a tux comes to our table, offering us all a flute of champagne off his fancy little tray.

I feel like Mia Thermopolis inThe Princess Diariesright now, thrown into a different world and not knowing which fork to use for dinner.

I may be over-exaggerating a smidge, but in my defense, this isn’t exactly how I saw this holiday going. Budget gelato and chick flicks in my brother’s spare bedroom was more of what I was envisioning.

I take a flute from the server and have to stop myself from curtsying at him.

I look over my shoulder to where I last spotted Caio. He’s since bid the beautiful woman goodbye and is heading straight in our direction.

“Good evening, ladies.” He smiles as he approaches us. Marina gives him a warm hug before he regards us. “You both look stunning.” His gaze lingers on mine a moment too long before flicking between the three of us again.

“Caio, this is kind of insane!” May gestures to the room around us. He laughs, putting his hands in his pants pockets.

“I like to go all out for the locals and give them an excuse to dress up once in a while.” He looks around the room with a warm look on his face before turning back to look directly at me. Those piercing blue eyes hold me captive, causing all of my body’s defense systems to shut down, and I’m just left here with nothing to do but stare back.

It’s fucking intense. And I’m not quite sure how I feel about it.

He gives me a small smirk before leaning in towards me, his manly scent invading my senses. He reaches around my side and then my drink is in his large hand in front of me. I take it from him gratefully.

“Take a lap with me?” He nods to the room behind him and offers up his arm. I can’t really say no, this is what I came here to do after all, and once this night is over, we can go back to our original plan—a girls’ trip.

May and Marina smile at me in encouragement as I rest my hand in the crook of his elbow and nod at him in agreement.

I feellike all eyes are on me and Caio as we roam the ballroom. Marina was right—I feel like I’m on the arm of a celebrity. Caio politely introduces me to every person we interact with, and there’s plenty of them.

We stop at every table and Caio makes sure not to miss anyone. He speaks to everyone like a close friend, shakes every hand and claps many backs.

He’s the catalyst to positive emotions—smiles and laughs just seem to bubble up when he is around. Some people speak in Italian but most swap to English when Caio introduces me. It should feel awkward, but instead it just feels…nice?

Usually this would be my worst nightmare. I’m not the kind of girl that really puts myself out there. I’m not a hermit, but this? You’d never catch me here by my own will, and that’s where May comes in. My outgoing best friend will drag me to anything and everything she can.

Example A: Italy.

“Doing okay?” Caio looks down at me as we leave yet another table. I nod. Surprisingly, in a sea of new faces, I feel completely at ease with him at my side. His reassuring smiles and encouraging glances make me feel calm in this completely foreign environment. A small smile escapes me as I look up at the man by my side.

“Oh, Caio,ragazzo mio!” The words interrupt my thought as a small woman walks up to us with her arms out ready to grab the man of the hour. He unlinks his arm from mine as we get closer to the woman and pulls her into a warm embrace. She chatters to him in Italian with such a familiar comfortability. He lets out a chuckle before reaching his arm out to me without even looking my way. I step in closer to them and his hand rests on my lower back as he ushers me to his side.

“Nora, this is Isla. She and her friend are new in town.” He looks at me now. “Isla, this is Nora. She owns an art studio and gallery on Main Street.”

“A studio?” I ask. A hint of excitement sparks inside of me at the thought of a peaceful art studio in this town. I can just imagine the abundance of inspiration lurking right outside the window. I quickly smother the feeling before that spark catches alight. I’m painfully aware that I haven’t picked up a paint brush in weeks, and I remember exactly why.

The woman pulls me into a sincere embrace like we are old friends.

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