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Then Matteo proceeds to fill our water bottles with water from the fountain.

“Wait. Is this water safe?” I ask. That’s disgusting. I can’t drink this water.

“Now that you’ve met me, you’re trying to kill me. I see how it is,” Slade mumbles.

Matteo laughs. “My son. Joker, yes?”

“Yes,” I tell him without expounding. He has no idea.

“Try. Go ahead. Will be, how you say? Water heaven.” Matteo motions with his hands for us to drink.

Slade laughs at Matteo’s imitation of my earlierfood heavencomment. I’m still hesitant. So is Slade.

“In Venice, at least one-hundred-and-twenty-two water fountains in city. Water comes from well on mainland. Is so good. Try.”

“Are you sure this is for people to drink?” I ask.

“Yes. No be scared. Try. I promise. So good,” Matteo urges.

Slade shrugs and takes a long pull. His eyes widen. “Oh wow. He’s not kidding. Try it, Marin. It’ll be your soulmate.”

“Pumpkin and water will come between us? Say it isn’t so.” I shrug like Slade did. “Here goes nothing.” I’m breaking the rule all Americans know about foreign countries: don’t drink the water. At least Slade and I will die together.

I take a slow sip. Then I take another. Then I gulp it down like its manna from heaven. It’s the coolest, freshest, best-tasting water I’ve ever had in my entire life. My body has been begging for this water. I just didn’t know anything like it existed. “Oh my gosh.” I reach out to refill my water bottle while Matteo laughs like Slade. He throws back his head and lets out a shout of laughter. They’re so much alike, it’s verging on weird.

“Some fountains fancy, some just fountain. Eh…faucet, yes? All good water.”

I love the way Matteo speaks with his hands. If I tied them behind his back, I don’t think he’d be able to say a word.

I down two entire bottles of water before we move on. I know I’ll be craving this water for the rest of my life. How cool is that? I just drank from a fancy fountain. And it was safe. Supposedly.

I snap a picture of Matteo and Slade by the fountain. I know how much it will mean to Lauren. Goodness, Matteo is a good-looking man. His age makes him handsome in a distinguished way. I’m surprised he hasn’t remarried.

The remainder of the day becomes a bit of a tourist whirlwind. The company we’re keeping makes it magical.

Matteo takes us to St. Mark’s Basilica, an ornate church whose architecture is a work of art. Next, we explore St. Mark’s Square, the most famous piazza in Venice. It’s surrounded by ornate buildings and arched walkways. We spend the longest time at Doges Palace where the former supreme authority ruled. We gawk at the intricately decorated rooms.

Then Matteo insists on a gondola ride that takes us under the romantic Bridge of Sighs connected to Doges Palace.

Matteo explains, “You think is called Bridge of Sighs because of romance. Couples sigh withamorewhile pass under bridge. But no. Prisoners left Doges Palace after sentence and walk across bridge. They sigh for last time at sight of Venice before prison. Sad, no?”

“Tragic.” Then Slade adds, “Unless they deserved prison. Sorry, not sorry.”

Like most fathers, Matteo finds everything Slade says genius. He laughs and says, “Love American humor.”

What can I say? I’m guilty of the same thing when it comes to Slade.

As far as bridges in Venice, the Bridge of Sighs is small. Yet the history behind it makes it fascinating. Besides, I get another gondola ride while snuggled at Slade’s side. I’m a happy woman. Slade lets out a huge sigh as we pass under the bridge. “There, now it’s a romantic bridge. I just changed history.”

I give him a quick kiss as Matteo chuckles. “Laurie say same thing. You like-ah her, Slade. I love.”

Everything we do leads back to Lauren. I believe Matteo might be a little obsessed with her.

It’s been a long day. I yawn, unable to hide my exhaustion.

Matteo notices. “I think dinner now, and we end day. Beautiful Marin is much tired. Tomorrow, special surprise for you. Slower day better, yes?”

“Sounds good.” Slade rubs my back. I think he’s just as tired as I am. I’m not sure if our fatigue is mental or physical. I think it’s mostly mental. We’re packing a lot into a few days and we don’t want to miss a minute with Matteo.

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