Page 28 of Out of the Gold

Melody

Knocking on mydoor makes me turn over and throw the blankets over my head. It’s my first day off in weeks, and I want to spend it right here with my pillows. I’m exhausted.

The knocking doesn’t stop. Instead, my best friend’s voice sails through the door. “Open up, Mel! I know you’re in there.”

Throwing the blankets off my body, I get up and unlock the door. I don’t bother opening it and am back in bed before the Sophia whirlwind makes her way into my room. I burrow back into my cocoon. “What are you doing here?”

My bestie jumps on the bed. “Kidnapping you!”

My body undulates. “Are you nuts? It’s our only day off from this shoot!”

“Yep. And you’re coming with a bunch of us to Positano today.” The bed bounces again.

“Thomas mentioned that to Chase yesterday.” I flip my hand. “You go. I have a hot date with my bed.”

“If I thought for a moment you wouldn’t be alone,” she taps the comforter, “I’d totally leave you here. But I know you mean to sleep away the day, Mel, and I refuse to allow that.”

I roll my eyes. “Aren’t you tired? Don’t you need some sleep?”

“Yes, I’m exhausted. I spent a couple of hours last night working on my camera skills improvement class project. But today we’refree. We’re inItaly. You can’t hide in here.”

While she was doing her project, I was getting Chase Wright out of his superhero costume. And for the first time, we actually talked. He almost turned into a real human being.Almostbeing the operative word. I flip my head on the pillow.

Sophia yanks the blankets to my waist. “We’re meeting everyone down at the docks for the ten o’clock ferry. I’ve never been to Positano—and neither have you—so you better get going. I’m off to check the cameras I had set up last night, and I’ll be back in an hour to get you.” As she moves from the bed, she steals the blankets clear off me. Walking out of my room, she leaves the door wide open.

Why did I think working together with my bestie would be a good thing?

Because she’s my oldest and dearest friend.

Crap.

I clamber out of bed, close the door, and trudge into the bathroom. One hour later on the dot, Sophia returns to my room. “I like your outfit. Boho chic.”

My shower lifted the cobwebs, and now I’m actually excited to be a tourist. I twirl around in my loose dress, a score I picked up in the Village in New York City. “Thanks.”

“Grab your purse and let’s go. I can’t wait to see who all is going to be with us today.”

Translation—Chase’s PA better be on that ferry.

We link arms and head down to the water, passing a sign listing nearby towns. “Ravello,” I remark. “Sounds pretty.”

“Oh, I’ve heard that’s the most romantic town in all of Italy.” She fans her face. “I wish we were going to film there.”

“The sign says it’s only six point seven kilometers from here. We should visit.”

“I agree. But I don’t want to go alone. We can double-date there. Thomas and me, and you and . . .” Her voice trails off.

“Judith? Janie?”

“You’re hopeless!” She shakes her head. “We need to find you a man. That’ll be my mission for today.”

“Good luck with that.”

Her shoulder contacts mine. “Don’t count me out.” She points to the dock, where a bunch of people are waiting. “Oh look, Thomas is here!”

As she tugs me forward, my gaze scans the group, noting Thomas. And Mark. And Chase. Tina’s there too.

We purchase our ferry tickets and approach the group. “Hey, Sophia,” Joe calls. She smiles at the camera operator and drags me along to chat with him, flirting with Thomas as we pass. He gives us both a quick nod.

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