Page 73

‘Grazie,’ she replied solemnly.

I missed her smile and bubbly personality.

I hated Edward for doing this to her.

‘I wanted to talk to you about the rest of your stay.’

‘Are they kicking me out?’

‘No! We want you to stay. I want to explain what we have in mind for you.’

‘Okay. Do you want to come in?’

‘I…’

Of course I wanted to, but I was not sure if I should. Even though I could tell she had been crying and was dressed in the hotel’s bathrobe, she still looked beautiful. If I came inside her room and we were all alone, I was not sure I would be able to resist the urge to kiss her. That would be wrong at any time, but especially right now when she was upset.

‘Don’t worry,’ she said. ‘I promise not to jump you.’ A small smile touched her lips.

‘Are you sure? Because I heard you are obsessed with Mr Bean and seeing as I am basically his twin, I am worried that you will not be able to resist me.’ I smirked.

‘Shit. I knew I shouldn’t have mentioned the Mr Bean duvet and pillow covers I have in my bedroom or the fact that I kiss the posters I have of him next to my bed every night before I go to sleep on the Love Hotel questionnaire!’ Sammie laughed and the sound warmed my chest.

Thatwas the Sammie I knew and loved.

When I said ‘loved’ of course I did not mean literally.

‘I will sit on the opposite side of the room, just in case.’ I grinned.

Sammie opened the door wider and gestured for me to come in.

‘Excuse the mess.’ She gathered a pile of clothes off the sofa, put them on the bed, opened the curtains, then returned to the sofa and patted the seat beside her. ‘I wasn’t expecting company and obviously I haven’t been feeling my best.’

‘Do not worry. So.’ I inhaled deeply. ‘Victoria spoke to Edward.’

‘What?’ She almost leapt off the sofa in shock. ‘What did that tosspot have to say for himself?’

As I explained everything Victoria had told me, Sammie’s facial expressions jumped from disbelief to anger then rage.

‘What an arsehole!’

‘Sì. But although we did not find you a match, we do not want all of your memories of the hotel to be negative, so we would like you to stay.’

I told Sammie all about what we would like to offer her and she nodded along.

‘Okay. Do I have to move to the villa right now?’

‘No. Whenever you like.’

‘Could I maybe move there later today or tomorrow? I don’t feel like packing and moving right now.’

‘Would you like someone to come and pack for you?’

‘Thanks, but no, I can do it. Can’t I just get the key from reception when I’m ready?’

‘Normally I take the guests to the villa to show them around personally.’

‘You’ve already done enough. I don’t mind. I’m sure I’ll figure everything out.’