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Our eyes met and I swear my heart doubled in size.

‘I should go.’ Romeo broke the silence. ‘I hope you enjoy them. See you tonight.’

‘Yeah,’ I said softly, still trying to compose myself. ‘See you later.’

I was supposed to be waiting for Edward to come back.

I was supposed to be keeping my distance from Romeo.

He wasn’t just my Love Alchemist. Romeo was a guy who openly said he wasn’t looking for a relationship. Plus, not only did he live in another country, he was planning to travel even further away to the US.

There were dozens of other reasons why I shouldn’t have this growing attraction towards him. But no matter how many times I warned them, my mind and my body didn’t want to listen.

Shit.

23

ROMEO

As I saw Samantha walking towards the coach, my breath caught in my throat.

Mamma mia.

She looked absolutely incredible.

Her lemon-coloured dress clung to her curves, her beautiful curls hung loosely over her shoulders and those pretty brown eyes sparkled.

When she saw me, her face broke into a smile and it felt like a fire had just been lit inside me.

I had been trying to deny and fight it ever since I first saw her, but it was time to stop lying to myself and admit the truth.

I liked Samantha.

Alot.

And this was bad, because Samantha was off limits.

There were so many reasons why this attraction was dangerous.

Firstly, she was a guest. And as Victoria had reminded me dozens of times, getting involved with guests was not allowed.

I would not risk my opportunity to go to California or jeopardise securing the savings I needed to give Mamma the chance to make a fresh start for some stupid infatuation.

Secondly, she was Edward’s match. Whilst it was unlikely, there was still a chance that he could return. Even though he did not deserve her, Samantha was still his partner, so getting involved would be like stealing another man’s woman.

It did not matter that they had only been matched for a week. I remembered the betrayal I felt when I was cheated on and I refused to put anyone through that.

Thirdly, she was from London and I lived here, so it would never work.

And fourthly… well, I could not think of a fourth reason right now, but I would find one if I thought hard enough.

The point was, I had to stop thinking about her in that way.

But I did not know how to.

The sensation of her hand in mine when we were at Matera still played on repeat in my head.

I enjoyed our conversations.