Page 44 of Better Than Gelato
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 pizzeriaseeing her blue underwear.”
Jake bursts out laughing. “That is quite specific. It makes me think that maybe Ididmiss 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.
