And that fucking terrified me.

But it was also incredibly exciting. For the first time in what felt like forever, I wanted to see a woman again. And not just any woman…Simone. How could I have ever overlooked her?

For now, I knew I had to push it from my head. I had a busy couple of weeks to get ready for our trip to Italy. I would deal with it – us – then.

Chapter 7

Simone

“I’m just afraid this was all a massive mistake,” I said to my best friend Lindsey as we walked across the campus. It was a warm spring afternoon and the sun warmed my shoulders.

“Why was it a mistake?”

We stopped at a table near the waterfront to sit and drink our ridiculously indulgent iced coffees – really, they were more like milkshakes. It had been a long day and was more than deserved.

“I’m never going to get through this program. It all seems so – so hard.”

Lindsey waved her hand as if I was ridiculous.

“Sure, it’s hard. But you can do it. We both can.”

I breathed a sigh. I was so happy that Lindsey was also starting the nursing program at UMass Boston. Orientation would have been completely overwhelming without her here, too.

“Besides, you’re going to make a hell of a nurse, Simone. Honestly, it’s like you were born for this. I don’t know how you don’t see that.”

“I guess,” I muttered, taking a sip of my drink and relishing in the icy caffeine.

“What else is new with you, anyway? I can’t believe it’s been a month since we’ve gotten to see each other. Let’s make sure that never happens again,” Lindsey said dramatically.

“I know. You were in Arizona way too long. Although, I can’t blame you. This winter was terrible. But not much is new. Except," I paused for dramatic effect, "I'm getting married."

Lindsey practically spit out the sip of coffee she’d just taken and gasped for air.

“Excuse me, ma’am? You’re getting what now? How on earth are you getting married?”

“It’s a long story,” I said with a shrug, unsure if I was even allowed to tell anyone. But if Hugo could tell his friends, I could tell Lindsey. “But I’m marrying Hugo.”

“Wait, what? Hot doctor Hugo? Simone, you’ve gotta give me more. What the hell happened while I was in Sedona?”

“It’s not a real marriage, Linds. It’s just for some, er, paperwork issues.” I looked around, hoping no one was in earshot. But we were all alone. Except for one nosy-looking seagull.

“Okay,” she said slowly, shaking her head, looking totally confused.

“It’s immigration stuff.”

“Oh, Simone. Are you sure this is a good idea?” I hated that look, like I was a wounded kitten that needed to be handled delicately. “I know how much you feel for him.”

“Honestly? No, I don’t think it’s a good idea. Because that’s not all." Again, a sip of my drink for a well-placed pause. Plus, I feltlike I might choke on my words. "We also went on a date and had a night of hot sex when he brought me home.”

Lindsey stared at me, mouth agape, and I couldn’t help that giggle that escaped my lips. Lindsey was rarely ever speechless, and I had never seen her eyes so big.

“What. The. Fuck. This is a lot to unpack, Simone.”

“I know. Tell me about it. I’ve been spinning for the last few days just thinking about everything. We’re going to Italy to tell his parents and my grandmother soon.”

“I’m honestly out of ways to express my shock at this point. Have you ever met his parents?”

“Kind of when I spent that time in Italy with my grandmother. But I don’t know them, no.”