Page 92 of Out of the Gold

Sophia elbows my torso. “Come here much?”

“Basically every day after filming.” I rub my stomach. “This will end once I’m back in New York.”

“I get it. There’s nothing like real Italian gelato.”

I take my cup from the clerk and Sophia places her order. Once she gets hers, we start walking back to our hotel. “Charles never eats anything as decadent as this.”

“Must be tough being so in shape.”

I giggle. “There isn’t any fat on his body, that’s for sure.”

“Not even a jiggle?”

I savor the hazelnut gelato before responding. “Nope. Could bounce a euro off his ass.”

Laughing, we toss our empty cups into a garbage can and continue walking beside the water to our hotel. I leave her at her door and continue into mine, and flop down onto the bed. The very empty bed. Against my better judgment, I grab my phone and send a text to Charles.

Melody:Had a great dinner with Sophia. Hope you are enjoying your visit with your sister.

I keep my personal thoughts about Lindsay out of the text and drop the phone onto the bed. He doesn’t respond.

Sighing, I get up, brush my teeth, and wash my face. I pull out a pair of pajamas and get myself into bed. Turning my head, I look at the empty pillow. “Good night, my love.” I turn off the lamp and my eyes close.

Until a knock drives them open.

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