Page 29 of Out of the Gold

Soon the ferry docks and we all scramble in, jockeying for the best seats. I end up next to Chase so that Sophia can be closer to his PA—who seems to be more interested in the fantastic makeup artist Tina than my bestie. Mark pushes his way over to us and squishes next to Sophia. The boat leaves the dock and we head toward Positano.

“Have you ever been here before?”

I do a double-take when I realize Chase is talking to me. “Um, no. I haven’t. Have you?”

He nods. “Once. Did you bring your suntan lotion?”

I point to my oversized purse.

He holds out his hand. When I tilt my head, he explains, “Give it to me. Your nose is already turning red.”

Embarrassed by his comment, I whip the suntan lotion out of my bag and squeeze it onto my palms. Turning my back to him, I watch the shoreline as I spread the white lotion over my face.

Next to me, Chase chuckles. I glance at his perfectly tanned face. Of course it’s perfect. Just like the rest of him. Not a freckle or hair out of place, even as the wind attacks all of us on the boat.

Sophia shakes my arm. “Look, there’s Positano!”

She points and the town comes into focus. Built on a steep hill, white houses dot the countryside and head upward to the sky. My breath catches. “It’s beautiful.”

“Sure is,” Thomas agrees. He nudges Tina. “I bet Positano has a great beach.”

She giggles at him.

Wrapping my arm around Sophia’s shoulders, I shake her instead of the stupid personal assistant. “We can explore all the little alleyways.”

“Yeah,” she answers without too much interest.

Mark pokes his head forward. “I’ve been to Positano a few times. I’d be glad to show you ladies around.”

He seems interested in Sophia. I rub my eyebrow while catching her profile. She’s giving him a speculative look. Interesting.

“I’ll join you,” Chase adds.

Why can’t he squire Jessa? I reply, “I’m sure a bunch of us will explore together.”

My statement is proven correct. While Thomas and Tina head off to the beach right in front of the dock—much to Sophia’s dismay—the rest of the group decides to investigate the town. We wander through small alleys filled to the brim with boutiques, restaurants, and little stalls with handmade goods.

I enter a store, crammed with unique clothing. The dresses call to me. Pulling a particular hot pink one off the rack, I hold it up to my body in front of a full-length mirror.

“The color looks amazing with your hair,” Sophia notes.

“Thanks.” I examine the craftsmanship. “It’s made really well.” I flip it to the bottom and check inside. “They even did great anchoring stitches on the inner hem.” Impressed, I drape the dress over my arm.

Sophia flips through a rack of dresses. “What do you think of this one?”

I wrinkle my nose. “Nah. The neckline isn’t right for you.” Selecting a violet dress, I hold it up for her inspection.

“Oh. That’s gorgeous!” She snatches it from my hands. “Let’s go try them on.”

We find ourselves in two tiny dressing rooms in the back. My elbows bump the walls. Slipping out of the tiny room, I stand in front of the full-length mirror and examine the fit from every angle. Sophia joins me.

“Looks good, Sophia,” a masculine voice with a slight Russian accent opines.

My bestie twirls around. “Oh, Mark. I didn’t see you there.”

He saunters in, Chase behind him. Mark pokes him in the stomach. “Oof! Oh, uhm, Melody, yours is nice, too.”

I roll my eyes and—in spite of themovie star’s comment—decide to purchase it. BecauseIlike the dress. “I’m going to take it. Sophia, how about you?”

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