Page 17 of Better Than Gelato (Ciao Bella #1)

Chapter Ten

T he muscles in my shoulders are as tight as guitar strings and there is so much sweat pouring out of my body I feel like I’m part slug.

Jake got in from the states this morning, and I’m heading downtown to see him.

And break up with him. Or not? I was up all night worrying and now I’m about to see him, and I still have no idea what to do.

On the one hand, I hate serious relationships and it’s clear I suck at being a girlfriend.

On the other hand, I think about sitting on a boat with him in the middle of a lake.

Holding his hand down cobblestone streets.

Eating with him. Dancing with him. Kissing him.

I think about the way he looks at me and the way he listens to me.

The way my heart speeds up when I think about him.

I’ve missed him these last two weeks. But I’m also anxious.

I know once I see him, everything I’m feeling is going to be written all over my face. And I’m terrified to find out what that is.

He’s waiting on the steps of the piazza when I get there, but the place is packed, and he doesn’t see me yet.

I close the distance between us. Twenty feet, then fifteen.

I see the exact moment he spots me and it’s like the sun rising over his face.

He jumps off the steps and comes running toward me, and I guess at some point I start running toward him, because I jump into his arms with a fair amount of force.

We collide in an explosion of happiness.

And we’re kissing and smiling and laughing and kissing more.

I can feel his stubble against my cheek and his hand on the back of my neck.

I can feel electricity zinging from the soles of my feet to the top of my head.

It’s shocking how good it feels to be in his arms. It’s fireworks and wonder.

His arms encircle my waist and pull me closer to him.

Why was I so scared of this? I wonder blurrily.

This is magic and excitement and every good thing.

I melt into him and feel the tension drain out of my body. He kisses me, and it’s Hello and I’ve missed you and How are you doing? I kiss him back and try to tell him that I’m so glad he’s here, and I’m so glad I’m with him. When we finally break apart, I’m breathless and smiling and giddy.

“Hello,” Jake says.

“Hello,” I say back.

“I missed you.”

I nod. “Me too.”

We stand there holding each other for a long time, unwilling to let go. Finally, I remember my manners.

“How were the interviews? How was your trip? How are you doing?”

“I’m doing amazing. I can’t think of a time I’ve ever felt this good.” His eyes are bright, and he’s grinning at me and ohmygosh, I want to start kissing him again. I take a step back.

“Tell me about the interviews,” I say.

“I think they went well. I’ll know more in a couple of weeks. For now, I’m relieved it’s over.”

“What do you feel like doing?” I look at him closely, and he looks exhausted. “Do you want to take a nap?” I know his flight was a red eye.

“I do,” Jake says nodding. “But I’m not ready to leave you yet.”

“I’m a pretty good nap buddy…”

His eyes go wide, and his mouth opens a little. “Are you?”

I nod my head. “I don’t snore. I share covers. And I’m an accomplished spooner.”

“I’m sold.”

I reach up and kiss him again. I’ve missed this. I’ve missed him.

My phone vibrates, and I ignore it. Then I get three more texts. Reluctantly, I pull it out and see a message from Carmen.

“No mangiare il pane davanti ai poveri.”

Then she texted three separate messages full of kissy faces. I crane my head looking for her in the crowd, but I can’t spot her. I show the text to Jake.

“‘Don’t eat bread in front of the poor.’” he translates. He laughs and rubs his head in this adorable way he has. “I haven’t heard that saying before. That’s...very descriptive.”

“But what if I want to keep eating bread?” I say with a smile. “What if I’m hungry?”

“So hungry,” Jake says, already leaning in. “Starving.”

A while later, we head back to Jake’s house, and he leads me to the bedroom he shares with Giancarlo. It’s a disaster except for one neatly organized desk and perfectly made bed. I don’t have to ask which side is his.

Jake takes a quick shower and comes back wearing navy blue sweatpants and a white T-shirt. His hair is wet and tousled. Sweat collects in the palms of my hands.

I climb into his bed, and he snuggles in next to me, and I hold my breath. His arms wrap around me, and his fingers gently stroke the curve of my waist. He kisses the back of my neck and lingers there for a moment sending chills down my spine.

“You’re right,” he says. “You are a very good spooner.”

“The secret is being little spoon,” I say. “Big spoon is too much responsibility.”

He chuckles into my ear, and I close my eyes. His skin smells warm and soapy. His chest rises and falls with each breath. He runs a hand down my waist, over my hip and down my thigh. All my senses are awake and tingling.

He turns me until I’m facing him and then kisses me long and slow. My body melts into his, and my head gets fuzzy. I feel like I’m falling into a deep lake, but in the best way. When we pull away we’re both breathing hard.

“I have never felt less sleepy.” Jake says. He puts some space between us.

“Me either.”

“So, tell me what I missed while I was gone.” His voice is ragged.

“Hmm, well you definitely didn’t miss anyone bending over and ripping a hole in her jeans and everyone in the pizzeria seeing her blue underwear.”

Jake bursts out laughing. “That is quite specific. It makes me think that maybe I did miss it. What happened?”

“I moved to Italy and ate all the food I could get my hands on, that’s what happened! And then I bent over to get something from Isa’s backpack and my pants split.”

“I’m so sorry,” he says, his eyes filled with laughter. “I mean, it’s hilarious. But I’m sorry it happened to you.”

“Me too. Isa was cackling with glee. You should have heard the things she said about my bum.”

Jake gives my hip a squeeze.

“I happen to really like you bum. In fact, I adore every inch of you.”

“Even my elbows?”

“Especially your elbows. They beguile me. When I first saw you I thought, ‘Oh no, those elbows of hers are going to be my undoing.’ And I was right.”

We lay together, laughing, snuggling, soaking each other up.

Eventually I hear Jake’s breathing slow, and his arms get heavier.

I lay next to him and listen to him sleep.

I think about being here with him when I could be somewhere else with someone else.

I decide this is the only place I want to be.

* * *

Isa and I have just finished another Thursday dance party when I see the text from Paolo.

I did it. I asked her out and she said yes. I’m elated and terrified. What do I do? Desperately need your help.

I don’t know what’s more surprising, that he actually asked Valentina out, or that he’s openly admitting he needs help. I text him back.

Woohoo! You did it! I knew you could! Give me all the details.

My phone rings immediately and it’s Paolo.

“Julieta.”

“Paolo.” I say back and wait for more.

“What have I done?” His voice is panicked. I get a drink of water for Isa, who is flopped on the couch, covered in sweat, and then sneak down to my room.

“You went for it!” I say. “And she said yes!”

“I thought her saying no was the worst thing that could happen. But this is worse. What if everything goes terribly? What if I make a complete fool of myself?”

I’ve never heard Paolo like this. He’s literally the most self-assured person I know.

“Paolo,” I say. “You can do this. You're going to have an amazing time, and at our Monday lunch, you're going to tell me every detail in giddy excitement.”

Four days later, I meet Paolo for lunch. He looks neither giddy nor excited. I wait until we’ve ordered our food and finally ask, “How was your date on Saturday?”

Paolo’s shoulders drop. “Wonderful. A disaster. A wonderful disaster.”

“Start from the beginning.”

“I took her to a work party. Everyone there loves me, and she could see how successful and respected I am.”

I snort but make no comment.

“Then, when things were winding down, I asked if she wanted to get some dessert. We went to this little cafe with the best torta al cioccolato . We talked. She told me about her family. We were really connecting, you know?”

His face looks earnest and hopeful. It’s not an expression I’ve seen on him before.

“So, what happened next?”

“Well, I ruined it, that’s what happened next.”

I raise an eyebrow. “Elaborate.”

“I couldn’t keep my dumb mouth shut. I told her everything.”

Paolo seems to think he’s explained himself, but I press for more information.

“You told her everything about what, Paolo?”

“How she smells like my grandmother’s garden. How her hair shines like warm olive oil. How the sound of her laughter makes me want to learn how to juggle.”

“Oh.”

“I know.”

“In those exact words?”

Paolo hangs his head and mumbles, “Even the part about juggling.”

Yeesh.

“How did she respond?” I ask in what I hope is a neutral tone.

“Well, she didn’t run screaming from the cafe.”

“That’s good.”

“She walked silently from the cafe.”

“That’s not good.”

I make Paolo promise he’ll come to Calypso Wednesday night to do some damage control. He says if he hasn’t left the country by then, he’ll think about it.

* * *

“Has Paolo said anything to you about me?”

The question comes from Valentina while we’re washing our hands in the bathroom at Calypso. “I know you guys are pals, and I just...wondered.”

I’m not sure how to answer. I don’t want to betray Paolo’s trust, but he’s already told her how he feels, so it’s not like I could spill the beans.

“He told me the two of you went out on a date and that he had a really nice time with you,” I say. I grab a paper towel and dry my hands.

“If he had such a nice time with me, why hasn’t he asked me out again?” Valentina asks.