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Before I can stop her, Jayla wrenches the bathroom door open and slips out to return to the festivities.

I breathe in and out a couple more times, urging myself to cool it and keep calm. Jayla’s right when she says we’re on vacation. I’m supposed to be enjoying myself.

It’s been months since my marriage ended. I’msupposedto move on. What’s stopping me from having a fun vacation fling other than me getting in my own way?

Once I return to the living room, only a few seconds go by before Rafael’s at my side. He clearly noticed I was missing and was waiting for me to return.

“Is everything alright,dolcezza?” he asks.

I tack on a small smile as I pick up my wine glass. “I’m fine. Thanks for asking. I just… I needed…”

“Some air?” he offers. “You did the same at Ballare earlier. Come with me.”

His larger hand scoops mine up and he tugs me alongside him. We leave the living room behind, where Anthony Sr. and his son are in the middle of more cigars and Jayla and Adagio are flirting heavily with each other.

The rest of the villa is a huge, sprawling home with many rooms all tastefully decorated in off-white rustic Italian styling. Aged wood and leafy plants pair with many long windows and an open invitation to the sea.

Rafael leads me through an archway that spreads out into the terrace and offers a view that most would die for. The vast sky meeting the equally vast water, both twinkling in the moonlight.

The cool sea breeze brushes my skin and instantly erases the nerves I’m feeling. I breathe in the salty air and let out a little sigh.

Rafael smirks. “Feel good?”

“Yes… very good. Thanks for bringing me out here.”

“I’m curious about you, Portia. I told you I wanted to spend time with you. Tell me about yourself.”

“You must already know. I’m the winner of your contest.”

“I know the basics. Your name. Age. City of residence. But I want more,” he says plainly. “I want to know Portia James the woman. You intrigue me.”

I nibble on my bottom lip to hold back a nervous laugh. “Umm… what is there to say? I’m thirty-two. Almost thirty-three. I live in Newport City. I’m a field reporter for the local news. I enjoy traveling and sports. Recently divorced.”

He sips on his glass of wine as I speak, silent yet attentive. I know this by the subtle reactions he gives to every word I say. The way his jaw sets or he subtly nods along or his dark gaze flickers with increased curiosity.

…he sincerely wants to know more about me.

“Where have you been?” he asks. “Your travels. Any recommendations?”

“Do you like to travel too?” I ask, feeling lighter. “I went to Jamaica last summer. I had an amazing time. It was for a special assignment at work, but we got enough time off to enjoy ourselves. I went snorkeling for the first time and surprisingly would love to do it again. Then, of course, there’s the food.”

“Jamaica,” he repeats. “I’ve never been. Maybe someday you can be my tour guide.”

He’s joking,flirting.

Yet at the slight quirk of his mouth, I can’t help warming up. I take another sip from my wine.

“Maybe. It would be a thank you for giving me such a great experience in Sicily.”

“I’m glad you’re enjoying yourself. I was concerned you weren’t.”

“I get in my head a lot sometimes. I’m very analytical… to a fault. It’s what Lincoln—never mind.”

“Lincoln. Your ex-husband Lincoln?”

A beat of tension fills the air where his tone loses its hint of affection and I feel my insides do a flip. I give a nod and cast my gaze out at the sea in front of us.

“That would be my ex. It used to drive him crazy how I’d overthink everything. He was the opposite. He thought about nothing. Which is why he was always so underprepared. We were opposites and not in a good way.”