Page 58 of Secret Admirer
She nibbled her lower lip. “Do what you promised here?”
“What I promised?” He breathed in her breaths as they shared an intimate space.
His closeness made her heady. He'd had her the second he'd said he loved her, though she needed to follow her own goals too. “Help me get my books. I’ll need them when classes start.”
“Lead the way.” He walked with her in the other direction, toward the stairs to the academic books.
As they climbed, she felt like she was walking into heaven with a giant smile on her face. She asked, between steps, “You didn’t touch your coffee and you honestly never drink at parties either. How come you waste so much of your beverages?”
He leaned closer like they were sharing a secret. “Not drinking my drinks offered at parties has in the past helped me avoid getting drunk. My day is fine with just water.”
She nodded but pointed down a row labeled, "engineering". “I see, but this was coffee.”
He shrugged. “In Rome, you’ll taste the difference and then wonder why you ever drank from a paper cup.”
And there it was. She laughed. “Sounds cocky again.”
His arms flexed as he straightened his tie. “It’s not if it’s true. You’ll have to try the flavors and then let me know.”
“We have to go by my house to get my passport.” They made it to the appropriate landing. “And my sketch of that battery. I need to figure out a few things but you can see it if you want.”
“Now I’m excited to leave.” He gestured around the floor, silently asking which way. She took out her list and matched the letters from the engineering school to the directory as he said, “And going to your place gives me a chance to thank Aurelia too.”
Her eyes widened as they made their way to a stack of books. “You saw her there?”
He nodded and then as she perused the aisle he tapped on her hand for her syllabus. She handed it to him and he read the numbers as well. “Why was she there and not with you, as you'd planned before?”
She picked up a book and handed it to him while he picked up two more. “She came over as promised but I wanted to come here alone." To prove that she could be independent even with a broken heart. "The new plan was to get lunch after and discuss how we don’t need men to complete our lives.”
“I’m glad Aurelia is strong like our mom.” He took his phone from his back pocket and said, “I’ll have food delivered right now so we can eat together before we board.”
“Bart, I love you.” She laughed and found the rest of her books.
He held them for her without asking. They walked to the cashier and he winked at her as he said, “Then we’re good, because I love you too.”
And without asking, he took out his wallet and refused her money to pay for her own textbooks. She’d been prepared for this, but she wouldn't argue, and put her wallet back. Sometimes accepting a gift meant bending to allow love to flow easier than if she'd insisted.
This afternoon they’d head to Rome and she’d get her first stamp in her passport. And she was going with the man she loved. Nothing could be better.
Chapter 19
Bart’s pocket burned. Today was the day.
Rebecca had seen his apartment, his villa outside of town, and he’d brought her everywhere.
She'd blossomed in the various atmospheres and his staff had all listened to every word she said like Rebecca had been born to be his lady.
Everything had worked out. He’d almost lost out on this but now they had a chance to live happily-ever-after.
All he had to do was ask this final question.
For now, she sat across from him at a café as they just finished lunch and he pointed toward the door. She shook her head and motioned for her dessert.
A waiter walked toward them with scoops of ice cream for the two of them. He picked up his spoon to eat every bite, fast. He had plans but he didn't want to rush her enjoyment. “We've had gelato every day since you've arrived. What do you think?”
She laughed and dug into her own dessert. “I can’t decide if you were right about ice cream or coffee. Both are so delicious.”
Good--they were finished. It was time, but he needed to distract her. He paid for the meal and offered his hand. “Come. I have an appointment at the Vatican for a private tour.”
