Page 13 of Strange Seduction
He still made room for me.
I picked up one of the rose petals and held it between my fingers, twisting it gently.
Theo was always this complicated mix of blunt and gentleness, rough edges with a silk center. And this room seemed like his way of saying I want a life with you.
I stared up at the banner again.
Welcome Home.
Not welcome to Italy.
Home.
I pressed my face into the pillow and screamed quietly into it like a teenager, kicking my feet once in the air.
When I get my hands on that man…
He will forget all about business.
I couldn’t stop smiling. My heart was still doing this jittery, thumping thing in my chest, and the only logical next step?
Tell the girls.
I pulled out my phone, propped it up on the pillow beside me, and hit FaceTime on our group chat.
It didn’t even finish ringing before Jayda and Izzy answered. “Finally!”
“I’m here, bitches!” I grinned, flipping my camera around so they could see the room.
Izzy screamed. “Yay!”
Jayda clapped her hands like a proud auntie at a graduation. “Took you long enough. I’ve been waiting for a damn update!”
Alyssa popped up next to them in the split screen, already smiling. “Carm! You’re in Italy! Do you like it?”
I sat up, letting the phone tilt a bit to show my face. “Don’t know yet. I only just got in.”
“Girl, pan the room,” Jayda said. “Let me see this Italian romance setup you got going on.”
I flipped the camera again, giving them a slow tour. Their reactions were instant.
“Ouuuuuuu,” they all said in unison.
Izzy narrowed her eyes. “Wait… where’s Theo?”
I cleared my throat, pulling the camera back to me. “Working.”
“Working?!” They all screamed.
Jayda shouted, “What the fuck is he working for?!”
“You two haven’t seen each other in forever!” Izzy added. “He can’t spare one day?”
“I’m calling him right now,” Alyssa stated, already dialing.
“No, y’all. Seriously.” I laughed, though a little half-heartedly. “It’s fine. Really.”
No, it’s not.
