Page 158 of I Shouldn't Love This Way

“I love you more than anything in this world,” he admitted. “As soon as this is over, I promise I’ll take you on that trip to Italy once you’re better. I want you to imagine walking on cobblestone streets and arched bridges by my side. Think about our trip to Venice, the floating city of romantic Italy. I’ll take you on the gondolas… shopping sprees at designer shops. You’d like that, wouldn’t you?”

“You don’t have to spend extravagant amounts of money on me to make me happy,” I said. “Just being with you is enough. Have you been there before with anyone?”

“Yes… Milan—it was work related, but my ex was with me.”

Wonderful.

“Forget Italy.”

“Aria, come on. I have Italian ancestry down the family tree—not to mention relatives who live there. I’ll always want to go back, regardless.”

Italian, Scottish, British, and American,I recalled a previous convo, adding those countries to our list of travels.

“I don’t want you being reminded of romantic moments with your ex while you’re with me.”

“That won’t happen.”

“I’m no longer interested.”

“You’re so stubborn.” He sighed. “We’ll have breakfast on the patio and walk by the palazzos. Do you know what that is?”

I shook my head.

“It’s an architectural style in the 19th and 20th centuries based upon the palaces built by the wealthiest families during the Italian Renaissance. I’ll show you some pictures next time.”

“Not interested.”

“We’ll walk the city streets together… breathing in delicious Italian food… I’ll take you wine tasting at a countryside vineyard. Can you see it in your mind, Aria?”

Crystal clear,I nodded.

“We’ll stroll through St. Mark’s Square, Piazza San Marco.”

God, his Italian sounded so sexy.

“… Listen to street musicians perform…”

“I’d love that.”

“I’ll take you to Rome—the Eternal City. It received its nickname because ancient Romans believed that no matter what happened to the world, no matter how many empires would fall, Rome would always live forever.”

“You know so much about the country.”

“I just know my history.”

There was something about Italy that called out to me… Scotland, too. I couldn’t explain it.

“There’s so much to see,” Noah said. “I want to show it all to you.”

“When can we go?”

“During your spring or winter break.”

“I wish we could leave tomorrow.”

“I wish that too, but you’re gonna need the rest of the summer to recover from surgery.”

“I want to be with you. I don’t want to live with Mom and Rob.”

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