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‘But if it was good news, why do you look so sad?’

‘Because…’ He paused and my heart thundered against my chest. ‘She told me that… they want to send me to the new Love Hotel. In California.’

‘Oh my God!’ I screamed. ‘That’s amazing! That’s what you’ve always wanted! Congrats! I’m so happy for you, darling!’

‘Grazie.’

‘When do they want you to go?’

‘In two weeks…’ His voice trailed off.

And then it dawned on me.

I was so wrapped up in celebrating his happy news that I didn’t even think about what this move would mean.

If Romeo was going to California in two weeks, that meant he wouldn’t be able to come to London.

And if he was working there, what would happen to us?

Travelling to Italy for a long weekend was feasible. But California was over five thousand miles away.

Maintaining a long-distance relationship from Italy would be difficult. Trying to do it from the US would be virtually impossible.

‘Oh,’ I said, my stomach plummeting a billion miles beneath the earth. ‘So that means… so that’s it then. For us.’

Even though I’d known from the start that this was on the cards, I’d pushed it out of my mind. But that denial had come back to bite me in the arse.

‘No. This does not have to be the end. I want this to work. We will find a way.’

‘How?’

‘I do not know, but…’

‘We have to be realistic, Romeo. We’ve done well keeping in touch for the past three weeks, but now you’re going to California, it’ll be impossible. You’ll be busy settling in and working and flights there are expensive and… it won’t work.’

‘We have to try.’

‘I’m not sure if I can, Romeo.’ My stomach twisted. ‘If we make a clean break now, it’ll be easier, for both of us. I don’t want you worrying about me when you’re over there. This is your dream. I can’t get in the way of that. Especially after what happened the last time you made plans to travel to the States. No.’ I shook my head defiantly. ‘You’ll need to be focused. I don’t want you to feel guilty for not having time to call me, especially with the time difference.’

I was sure California was about eight hours behind us so it’d be even harder to keep in touch.

And once he was surrounded by beautiful women over there, he’d soon forget about me.

Plus, when I got this promotion, I’d be working longer hours and have more responsibilities. If I ever wanted to get the chance to pursue a career that involved event organisation, I couldn’t mess up this opportunity by spending my days pining over Romeo and wondering when we’d speak or be together.

No. We’d had a good run, but it’d be less painful if we drew a line under things now.

I’d never forget my time with Romeo for as long as I lived, but I’d been in this situation before with holiday romances. They always fizzled out and ended up hurting ten times more than if we’d called it quits sooner.

‘Congrats again,’ I said, tears welling in my eyes. ‘I’m tired. I’d better go.’

‘We will speak tomorrow?’ Romeo asked, concern etched across his face.

‘I… I’m not sure.’

‘Please, Sammie. Do not do this.’

‘I have to go.’ I ended the call, collapsed back on the mattress then started bawling into my pillow.