Page 91 of Someone Exactly Like Me (Wounded Hearts 1)
“Yes. I’ll wait here.”
I find a chair and change out of my sneakers, putting on the sandals. So, I didn’t plan to buy a dress, a cardigan, and shoes. Oh, well. This is a once in a lifetime trip. I’m not going to overanalyze it.
Going back to the register, I hand her my sneakers for the bag she has ready with my clothes in it. She takes my sneakers and wraps them in tissue paper before putting them into the bag, making sure to put the white cardigan on top.
“Grazie, Maria.”
“Prego, Destiny.” She smiles, handing me my credit card. She drops the receipt in the bag and hands the bag to Nicco. Then she comes out from behind the counter and gives each of us kisses on our cheeks.
Nicco drives us to Quartiere Coppedè where we wander the small town and I marvel at the impressive buildings. The architecture is breathtaking. Massive arches trimmed with intricately carved stone figures, every window embellished with more carvings, and huge statues that look like they’re holding up the building. There are influences of Greek, Baroque, and even touches of Gothic and Medieval design. A splendor of antiquity. Weaving through the streets, we come upon the Fountain of the Frogs in the middle of the town. Five streets meet at the circle of the grand fountain.
“It’s magnificent,” I say, in awe at the enormity of it.
Human figures adorn the base, spitting water from their mouths, while the top of the fountain houses eight stone frogs separated by chunks of green moss.
“Can we throw coins into it?” I ask.
“No, but you can still make a wish if you want.”
When I close my eyes, I feel him lace his fingers between mine.I don’t want this to end.Taking a deep breath, I open my eyes and let it out.
Still holding my hand, he turns to me. “Are you hungry?”
I squeeze his hand gently. “Nicco, people will see. You’re very recognizable here.”
“I don’t care. Are you hungry?”
“I am.” Having no idea why he’s holding my hand, I love the way it feels.
“Then let’s go eat.”
We walk, hand in hand, back to the car where he opens the door to let me in. He drives us to Trastevere where we have a light lunch and walk around the narrow cobblestone streets. Each ochre-colored building has arched passageways, flower-filled balconies, and doors with antique doorknockers.
Once we’ve finished looking through the markets, he takes me to Janiculum Hill where we hike our way up to the top. While these sandals are very cute and have been pretty comfortable for much of the day, the hike is starting to hurt my feet and my pace is noticeably slower the higher we go.
“Are you okay?” he asks.
“I am. My feet are just starting to hurt a little with all the walking in these sandals.”
He looks down at my feet. “Oh.” He raises his eyebrows and rubs his chin. “I didn’t think about that. I don’t know how women wear these shoes. We’re almost at the top. Do you think you can make it? I promise the view is worth it.” He smiles.
“Yes, I can make it.” I’ve come this far. I’m not stopping now.
“When we get home tonight, you can soak in my tub and then I’ll rub your feet.” A flirtatious smile spreads across his cheeks as he continues walking, slowing his pace to match mine.
About five minutes later, we reach the top and the panoramic view is stunning. A bird’s-eye view of Rome and picturesque terracotta and white buildings that spread for miles, blending into the mountains.
“We can stay here for a while until your feet feel okay to go back down.”
We gaze over the view of the city, quietly, breathing in the sun as it descends. He steps away to have a cigarette and I take a few pictures.
“I’ll take your picture,” he says as he returns to me and gets out his phone.
“Here.” I hand him my phone. “You can take it with mine so it’s not on your phone.”
“You don’t want your picture in my phone?”
“No, I just…” My tongue twists inside my mouth.
