Page 130 of Wicked

I feel emotional, and the situation is ludicrous. The ending streamed from my broken heart, not from my mind. It was unplanned. It just came…

I want to burst out and explain what happened, but I cannot afford to come across as a crazy lady. It’s complete madness, and I force myself to hold my mouth.

As I push a sharp fingernail into my palm to create pain and not cry, they make me an offer. My heart surges, and it’s great.

A really great offer!

The deal includes a second book, and I jump on it. I do not even play hard to get or tease I have other offers. There and then, I stand and shake.

I hug my friend long and hard, and the team likely realizes I’m an emotional basket case.

A basket case that can write.

The next two days are intense, but I end up signing their long agreement. Because a lawyer pal knew I needed money fast, she added a payment clause and a tight date.

My immediate financial problems are gone, and I have a writing career!

I am, however, still heartbroken, and deep down, I know I’ll never do this… I’ll never love again.

54

RAVEN

I have enough money to write the next novel and do one thing I’ve wanted to do since returning home. Travel. I’m still twenty-three and I’ve done little traveling, even in the States. It’s something I’ve always hungered for, and Mom traveled a lot. Dante’s biting comment about me and the world also haunts me.

That pain and that ruthless moment are still embedded deep within. They still cut deep.

I walk to our retro globe next to Parker’s art projects, and I take the kooky globe in my hands. I walk onto our apartment roof, and I stand under the sky.

“See the world,” I mumble as I move the globe around in my hands. I remember a quote about traveling, and that it supposedly opens the mind. Or feeds the soul, or both.

“I want both,” I mumble low to myself. “I need both.”

Thirty minutes later, I have online tickets booked, and I work all night to pack. I finally go to bed, completely excited and completely anxious.

The following morning, Parker and I are awoken by someone rapping on the door. I open it slowly to find long tanned legs,tight shorts, a cheesy polo, and a grin. I sign for the package, and the cute courier leaves.

I rip the package open nervously, and it’s from a lawyer in Rome. Ifreeze,worrying about the rental car, before remembering I paid it last night. Suddenly, I see a note on top, and a gift under it.

To Raven. From Nonna.

I unfold the handwritten note, and I lean back with morning eyes.

Dearest Raven,

I just want you to know I understand why you ran. I would have done the same. I could be wrong, but I suspect the company you work for spun the travel article and you felt the need to protect our family, the theme park, and your own life.

I don’t know what happened between you and Dante. All I know is that he is not the same man now. He has lost his spark, and he is rather miserable to be around.

I sniff and feel mixed up.

As I wipe my nose on my sleeve, I read on.

Nonna explains Tito misses me, and he waits outside the castle at night. And that at times, she sees Olive look across the beach for me.

Tears fall onto the old-fashioned paper, and I sob. I stop to wipe my eyes, and I continue reading, full of emotion.

I read her words aloud with my now clogged up nose.

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