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‘You called.’

‘Oh, shit! That’s why you didn’t answer straightaway. I can’t believe that I was the person responsible for a dreaded kiss-interruption call!’ She laughed.

Once Romeo had left, I hadn’t called Stella straight back as my mind was still racing from our almost kiss and when I phoned her half an hour later, she was busy.

‘Don’t worry. I’ll get you back one day,’ I chuckled.

‘Maybe it was for the best?’ Stella asked. ‘I mean, you’ve gotta admit, it would make things complicated. Not just because of the whole Love Alchemist-guest dynamic, but you’ve only got six more full days there and then what? I want to tell you to go for it and enjoy yourself, but I don’t want to see you get hurt.’

‘Same. Anyway, it’s kind of out of my hands. Since Romeo told me about the villa earlier this morning, I haven’t heard from him. So, I’m just gonna chill by my pool, read for a bit, go for another swim in the sea, then see what happens.’

‘Good plan.’

‘Oh my God,’ I gasped as I looked at the screen. ‘Romeo’s calling.’

‘You gonna answer?’

‘No. I’m talking to you. I’ll call him back afterwards.’

‘I’ve already cockblocked you once, so I’m not doing it again! Let’s speak later.’

‘You sure?’

‘Positive. Just… oh, what the hell. Just enjoy yourself and be safe.’

‘Hold your horses! I don’t even know why he’s calling!’

‘Only one way to find out! I’m hanging up now.’

Stella ended the call and I quickly pressed the accept button.

‘Ciao, Romeo,’ I said, trying to sound casual.

‘Ciao, Sammie. What are your plans for tomorrow?’

‘I’ll probably just chill at the villa and go for a swim, why?’

‘After I go for lunch with my mother, in the afternoon I will do some pottery at my friend’s studio. Would you like to join me?’

‘I’d love to!’ Excitement bubbled in my chest.

‘Okay. I will send you the details of the town his studio is in. Ask the driver to take you to the centre and I will pick you up there. Tell them you do not know how long you will be so you will call when you are ready to leave. And of course, please do not tell him that you will be meeting me.’

‘Got it. Mum’s the word.’

‘See you tomorrow,’ Romeo replied, then hung up.

Seconds later, my phone pinged with the name of a town I couldn’t pronounce and my stomach fizzed with excitement.

I knew it wasn’t a date, but it was an opportunity to spend more time with Romeo, so I’d take it.

Tomorrow couldn’t come fast enough.

* * *

I waved at my chauffeur, Aldo, as he pulled out from the parking space and drove off.

My heart thumped against my chest. In less than ten minutes I’d be meeting Romeo.