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In a split second, Ricky turns, and I try to look away, but it’s too late. He’s caught me staring.

In a bout of perfect timing, Topher descends upon me, scooping both me and Matty into a brotherly hug. “My guys, let’s goooooo!” I’d forgotten how strong he was, his grip nearly choking me. But it’s enough to ground me after nearly an entire twenty-four hours of constant-turned-perilous travel.

“My own son doesn’t even hug me first!” Zia Gab growls. Legit. Then she pouts, crossing her arms and huffing. If there’s one thing the women in this family know how to do, it’s cast their witchy guilt magic. Within seconds, it spreads over all the lands, covering us in a dark cloud of glares.

Topher laughs, rich and hearty. “Love you, Ma!”

She eyes him, but immediately breaks her spell and practically leaps into his arms.

Topher signals for me to come close. “Listen, dude, I swear I didn’t know until yesterday Ricky was bringing someone.” He prattles on about how Sienna wanted to save Ricky the money by him flying back to New York for the free PJ, but I’m not really listening.

“A boyfriend,” I correct, and he winces. “Dude, it’s fine. I’m chill.”

“Since when do you say ‘dude’? You’ve been hanging around Matty too much?” Topher asks, pulling me in for another hug.

“Hello?” Zia Rosa yells. “Are we chopped liver or something?”

“Yeah, get out of the way,” Ma commands. “I need to hug my nephew!”

“Eh!” Nonna yells, and the crowds part like she’s Moses and we’re the Red Sea.

She waddles over, and he instinctively bends down to meet her five-foot-two frame.

He may be over six feet, but her demeanor towers over all of us.

She grabs and holds his chin steady with both hands.

“Let me get a good look at you, mio regazzo! So big.” She kisses each of his cheeks.

“That flight nearly killed me. You’re lucky I love you.

” Then, without warning, she shoves his face to the side, and peers around him for Sienna, who is flanked by Ricky, Cam, Monroe, Benny, and Jenni Lee. She coughs and everyone stops talking.

“Mi amore.” Topher reaches out to Sienna, who gracefully moves toward us.

Sienna kisses the ring of the Lemon Coven Supreme. “Hi, Nonna! It’s so nice to see you; it’s been so long!”

“You’ve grown up too! I feel so old,” Nonna says, right before grabbing Sienna’s face and pulling her forward for an invasively wet kiss on either cheek.

In one swift move, Nonna wedges herself between her and Topher.

“Show me around; I’ve been cooped up with all these chickens for too long. I need to stretch my legs.”

I don’t bother to stifle my yawns. Matty elbows me.

Topher laughs. “Rough travel on the PJ? Why don’t you guys get settled in your suite—you two are sharing. I figured you guys don’t want to be with the Coven.” Topher tries to whisper, but Zia Rosa and Ma both hiss. “I got them in a three-room suite on the other side of the villa.”

“They’re gonna kill each other,” I say.

“Welcome to the circus. You guys are down a level, with your own hot tub and hammock.” Topher motions Vincenze, who moves to grab our luggage.

“Per favore, portali nella loro stanza?” He turns his attention back to us.

“Sienna’s parents are hosting dinner tonight in the main dining room in, like, two hours. ”

It makes me slightly uncomfortable that Ricky’s Sienna’s parents are hosting.

I also feel awkward seeing them—I shouldn’t, they were practically my second mom and dad growing up, but it felt like I lost them when I lost Ricky.

I just hope I’m not stuck sitting across from Ricky and Cam looking all perfect and in love.

“You guys are ripe. Go shower and relax,” Topher finishes. “After dinner, we’ll have all the time in the world to catch up. I’ve missed you guys.”

“It’s nice to see you again, little brother,” Sienna says to me.

Growing up, since Ricky and I spent nearly all our time together, Sienna was the big sister I never had, and though we lost touch, seeing her does feel like seeing family.

“Topher told me you were still having a hard time with the breakup.”

Still? Though it’s a good reminder that she’s Ricky’s sister. Her loyalty is to him, despite the empathy in her tone. She grabs my arm gingerly, like I’m a porcelain doll that might break.

I plaster a fake smile on my face. I’m not about to ruin her wedding by telling her how I feel about seeing Ricky with Cam, or divulge my evil plan to break them up.

“Me, I’m great! Honestly thriving. Never been better.” Okay, Field, you’re laying it on thick. Reel it in. “Best year of my life.”

Her pupils expand as she narrows her eyes. “It has been great seeing you thrive on Clock. Your content is so fun and funny. You’re so good. You could totally host a TV show, I tell Topher all the time!”

Cam and Ricky are watching, so I hook my arm into Sienna’s. “Thanks so much, sis. I’ve missed you. It’s been so long; we have so much to catch up on!”

“Yes, please!” she squeals, and we start filling each other in like no time had passed at all. I watch as Cam tries not to look fazed, hooking his arm on to Ricky and talking with Ricky’s mom, which, won’t lie, makes my side pang with jealousy. “Oh! I have a big favor to ask of you for tomorrow.”

I can’t help but smirk because she says it so loud Cam turns.

Operation: Ricky @ Second Glance commences now .

First stop—winning over the family. Check!

Your move, Cam.

The courtyard in the center of the main villa is full of lush, manicured grass and cobblestones dotted with hammocks and lounge chairs. Grand staircases wind down stone walls to new levels, and the pool.

Matty and I follow Vincenze away from the pool and around a bend toward a private entrance.

Outside is a hot tub beneath a lemon tree and, inside, our room.

I exhale the second we step into our bright white, airy room.

It’s nothing special—standard room with two double beds and a standing shower, very minimal.

There’s a large double picture window that’s currently open on both sides, letting the warm breeze in.

I move to close it, hoping to cool down the space. The sun beams directly inside.

“Sorry, but there’s no air-conditioning in this room,” Vin-cenze says, carefully choosing his words.

His accent is thick, but his pronunciation is impeccable.

“If you leave it open, it will cool down at night. There’s acqua and Coca-Cola in the fridge.

Formag-gio. Vino from a local vigneto in Ravello.

If you desire, I can make espresso or cappuccino. ”

“Oh god, yes, I would love a cappuccino,” I say. “Get rid of this headache. Do you have soy milk?”

Matty laughs.

“Sì. Soia.”

“Wow,” Matty says. “This ain’t half bad. I’ll take one, too. No soy for me; I’m not difficult like my cousin here. Thanks, Vincenze.”

Vincenze nods and backs out of the room.

I immediately swan dive onto one of the beds and shimmy my phone out of my pocket.

Given the time difference, it’s been too long since I’ve posted anything to my Clock feed, and though I have filmed content scheduled over the next week, I want to pepper my channel with documentations of my trip, starting with everything I got on the journey here.

I did my best to edit in the Sprinter van, but I got sick. All I need is a hot sound and boom .

Post.

Done.

“How you feeling?” Matty’s voice is froggy from airplane exhaustion.

“Great. This post is fire.”

“Nope, about Ricky.”

I bury my face into the comforter. “Ask me in three to five business days.”

“You’re pulling it off well,” Matty says. “If it’s any consolation. Wanna talk about the Cam of it all, now that we’re alone?”

“What’s there to talk about? That the love of my life is here in the most romantic place in the entire world with another guy?

! I—” I stop because I might break down.

My emotions are a tangle of bedsheets, and I’m trapped inside.

“Is it ridiculous? Na?ve? To think I can win him back with some evil plot?”

“Probably.” I appreciate the honesty as Matty laughs. “But you two belong together. If what you really want is another chance with Ricky, I’ll help you get him back.”

“I’m not wildly unhinged?”

“Never said that . But as your best friend, I’ll run interference with Cam, help you get alone time with Ricky. Run reconnaissance. I got your back. Just . . . have a plan.”

A grin stretches over my lips as he closes the door to our suite, and I clasp my hands together like a villain, remembering some of what Sienna told me quickly about the details of the next few days before Matty and I came down to our room.

If I learned anything from My Best Friend’s Wedding , it’s that it’s crucial to take any opportunity to isolate the object of my affection—Ricky—from his love interest—Cam—while also doing everything in my power to come off as the best version of myself to Ricky’s family.

Glancing at my phone, I see my latest Clock is 99 percent loaded. “I have an idea.”

@LemonAtFirstSight 53 min ago

Views: 7889k

462

CAPTION: In the most romantic place on earth. What could go wrong?

AUDIO TRANSCRIPT: Amalfi is lit, and so am I! Can’t wait to show you some local spots, so stay tuned; I have a lot of great Italia content coming, and as always, when life hands you Lemons, take a bite!

109 COMMENTS

Grouchy.1505

Is that Ricky in the background on the plane? Omg are you guys back together?

VIEW 7 REPLIES

Lemonstan007

that’s absolutely ricky. we missed you ricky!

Joey_Italiano

omg how could I miss that? damn, ricky glowed up. zaddy!

Grouchy.1505

RIGHT? And that caption about being in the most romantic place? With Ricky? Seems like life handed Ricky a Lemon . . .

amithedrama

Word on the street is Ricky and Lemon hate each other.

Grouchy.1505

@amithedrama Lol you don’t know them troll

amithedrama

K lol. My friend went to school with Ricky and Lemon and he said they don’t speak. Ricky moved cross the country and Lemon sleeps with anything that moves. I have receipts.

Joey_Italiano

@amithedrama u don’t know shit. i hope they got back together. they were goals.