Page 49 of Finding London

“I don’t care. I think it’s cute. His real name is Fabian, but when he was young, his brothers used to tease him by calling him Fabio, and I guess it stuck. It’s adorable.” She sighs, content.

“You are coming back to the States next month to finish school, right?” I ask seriously.

She has one year left before she’ll complete her degree at Stanford.

Georgia’s lovesick eyes stare back at me. “Of course. I’m not stupid…but…” She trails off, looking sheepish.

“What?” I ask hesitantly.

“I’m probably just going to fly straight from here to Cali. I don’t have to stop at home for anything. All my stuff is at my apartment. I know I promised to hang out with you and Mom for at least a week before school started, but I’m having so much fun. I just…I want this summer to last as long as possible.”

“Wow. Someone’s smitten.”

She smiles. “I know. I totally am. I mean, who really knows if we’ll stay together after the summer? I hope so, but you know how it is. I just want to experience as much as I can with him before I leave. Plus, we have so many things left to do this summer. Next week, we’re flying to Peru to see Machu Picchu.”

“Wow. You and Fabio sound like two adventurous peas in a pod. I get it. No worries. I will fly out this fall to spend the weekend with you. I’m sure Mom will, too. You enjoy your summer with your hottie. I’ve heard those Latino men are totally dreamy.”

“That’s an understatement. So, Mom tells me that you’re all smitten for someone, too.”

“Yeah, but he isn’t as all in as Fabio seems to be. It’s complicated.”

“Well, tell me. I have ten minutes before I have to go. Fabio and I are going to explore this cave beneath a waterfall today. It’s supposed to be amazing. So, give me the nine-minute version, so I have a minute for my advice.”

I laugh. “Okay.”

I rush through the details of the last month from the car wash to our two seemingly-awesome-turned-failed dates to my current plan to get him back.

“Oh, he sounds sexy. No wonder you are so hung up on him,” she responds after I finished talking.

I can’t help but chuckle. “You think he sounds sexy, not crazy?” I shake my head. “I don’t mean crazy. It’s just that he has issues.”

She shrugs. “So what? He has issues. He’s not your typical guy, so there must be something about him that makes you want to pursue him, and I’m guessing it’s his level of sexiness. I think it’s good that you’re falling for him.”

“Why’s that?” I raise an eyebrow.

“You always date these perfect Ivy League type guys, London. Yes, they’re always cute, and I suppose they’re sexy in their own way, but they’re all boring or douches. It’s annoying. They never stand up to you. They’re like your little show ponies. You parade them around while it suits you, and then you get bored and move on.”

“I do not!”

Georgia doesn’t flinch. “You do so. Loïc sounds drastically different than anyone you’ve ever dated, and for that reason alone, I like him. You need to live a little, London. I think Loïc can help you with that.”

“Whatever,” I say for lack of a better response.

“Don’t get all pissy. You know you tend to err on the side of caution. You like to be in control, in charge, the boss—”

“I get it,” I cut her off.

“All I’m saying is, I see why you’re hung up on him. He challenges you. That’s a good thing.”

“So, where’s this brilliant advice?”

“You said you were going to get him back, right?”

I nod. “Yeah.”

“Perfect. Then, I say you already have a great plan.”

“What should I do?”

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