Page 105 of The Roman Holiday Rule

“You let another company have the job? Why would you—I thought you had your heart set on it.”

His frustrated expression softens as he takes a step toward me. “Yeah, well, I realized my heart was set on something else.” He grasps my elbow and guides me to the shade of a large maple tree.

The feel of his touch again after nearly two weeks sends tingles all the way to my toes, as my brain tries desperately to make sense of what he said. It wasn’t him who tore the temple down. The last wall keeping my heart from Mark falls with it, and I bury my face into his chest. His arms wrap around me, and I hear the burr of his voice against my ear.

“I didn’t need the palazzo job. Nonno came with me to Boston and started the long road of reconciling with my dad, which was the main point of getting that project. And I couldn’t lock myself into a renovation that kept me in Rome for three years. I wanted to keep my options open in case I need to...”

He pulls back, just enough to lock his gaze with mine, so intense I can’t fill my lungs.

“Need to what?” There is nothing in my life I need more than the rest of that sentence.

“In case I need to move to Boston. Last time, I let the girl walk out of my life, which worked out for the best. This time, though, I’m not letting a little ocean separate us.”

My breath hitches. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“It took me a minute to realize I don’t have to stay put and watch you leave. Then Nonno couldn’t find his passport and we had to turn his house upside down looking for it. I didn’t write you because I wanted to prove to you in person that I’m willing to be wherever you are.”

“Meanwhile, I was desperately trying to get over you by reminding myself of why we started the bet in the first place.”

His eyes fill with regret. “I’m sorry I took my ache out on you when we first met. I said some stupid, hurtful things on the plane. Moving to Italy was the most exhausting, heart-wrenching thing I’ve ever done, and I was jealous of your naïve excitement, and also nervous for you. That your dream Italy would be crushed under the reality.”

I place a hand on his chest and feel his strong heartbeat. “You didn’t know. I didn’t tell you about my mom.”

He covers my hand with his own. “That doesn’t excuse how hard I pushed the point, though. Because I was also nervous for myself. I was afraid of falling for someone who would leave me heartbroken in Rome again. So I tried to push you away, but I couldn’t get you out of my head. The way you cheered up the airline employee and laughed at my puns. How you pushed my suitcase right back at me and shared the Vespa with me. Bolstered the little girl’s courage at the airport and complimented Luca. You chase after life with gusto and refresh the hearts of those around you.”

I’m staring, afraid to move a muscle, afraid to breathe.

He clears his throat. “Speaking of chasing—Lexington, I would chase you to the ends of the earth if you let me.” He lets go of my hand and gestures between us. “Can we see where this goes?”

I’m all for encouraging this line of thought. “I bet it does go somewhere.”

“I bet you’re right.” He settles his hands on my hips. “What’re the stakes?”

His eyes drop to my lips, so I say, “A kiss.”

The corners of his mouth lift as he moves us two steps to the left.“Look at that. We went somewhere. We both win. Game over, time for the prize.”

He pulls me in close, hovering right at the edge until the air itself becomes impatient and whimpers.

Okay, that might have been me.

Finally, hands on the back of my neck, he closes the distance, and his lips meet mine. I can feel his smile in the shape of his mouth, but then he deepens the kiss, intense and urgent, making all sorts of bets and promises.

Finally, he draws me into a tight hug, and it feels like home for the first time since I lost Mom.

“Mark?” My voice is muted, my face snuggled into his collarbone.

“Hmm?” He’s twisting my hair around his fingers and I’m struggling to think straight. But we have unfinished business.

“Who won the most votes for the heart of Italy?”

He chuckles, and I feel the rumble in my chest. “You won’t believe me.”

“Did we tie?”

“No. You won. Must have been all that excellent training I gave you. And then you went and distracted me until all I could see or think about was you. So, Lexington, per our terms, what do you want from me? Anything within reason.”

I have my answer. My answer’s been ready for a long time, I just didn’t think it was possible. “I want Italy. With you in it.”