“ Something else that’s different about Italian boys, I realize. If they see a girl they fancy they go up to her… — Lauren Henderson Copy Share Image
“Andrea’s unlocked the back door, and Kendra and I push and shove Paige in. She flops down inside with a long sigh… — Lauren Henderson Copy Share Image
“I learned another Italian word recently, painstakingly working on the translation of Jovanotti’s lyrics: storia. It means “history,” but it can also… — Lauren Henderson Copy Share Image
“Talking about partying, I didn’t come to Italy for the summer just to hang out with a bunch of girls! No offense,… — Lauren Henderson Copy Share Image
“There are plenty of boys clustered around the wall, laughing, shoving each other playfully, yelling, competing for the attention of the girls.… — Lauren Henderson Copy Share Image
“ Elisa may have ridden roughshod over other girls who’ve done this summer course, made their lives a misery , I think… — Lauren Henderson Mother Copy Share Image
“ Maybe I’m dead. The thought is not as scary as it probably should be. I’m so calm, so comfortable. The coffin… — Lauren Henderson Copy Share Image
“Ugh, mi fa incazzare a bestia. ” He glances at me, black brows drawn tightly together over blazing blue eyes. “It makes… — Lauren Henderson Copy Share Image
“Did you get Paige to bed okay?” “Yes and no,” Kendra says quietly, coming down the steps to the parking lot. Andrea’s… — Lauren Henderson Copy Share Image
“Sebastiano and I arrive, breathless and laughing, on the stone oval of the dance floor. I’m delighted to see that Kelly’s there… — Lauren Henderson Copy Share Image
“Just as I’ve reached that conclusion, and am smiling at my own observation, something happens that is the oddest thing I’ve ever… — Lauren Henderson Copy Share Image
“And I really don’t want to go back yet.” “I wouldn’t either,” Kelly says. “Not if a boy like Luca were after… — Lauren Henderson Copy Share Image
“Luca’s tongue slides into my mouth, slow, drowsy, intoxicating. I hear myself make a little involuntary moaning noise, and I’d be embarrassed… — Lauren Henderson Copy Share Image
“So,” he starts slowly, “if I am thinking that I want to kiss you, I should not say it out loud?” Oh,… — Lauren Henderson Copy Share Image
“It is eerie and uncanny how Luca has the ability to read my mind. “Will you go back now to London, Violetta?”… — Lauren Henderson Copy Share Image
“I know it’s early in the party--the huge wine bottle’s still almost full, and the night is young--but I’m impressed at how… — Lauren Henderson Drunk Copy Share Image
“How else could I get shut in there?” I ask, cross now. “You saw that I was locked in! I had to… — Lauren Henderson Copy Share Image
“Eww!” Kendra says, shuddering and clamping her hands on her hair, as if a swarm of bats is about to fly in… — Lauren Henderson Fun time Copy Share Image
“Luca promptly paralyzes me by leaning down, pulling the helmet strap tight, and fastening the buckle under my chin. His aftershave smells… — Lauren Henderson Copy Share Image
“ C’è qualche problema ?” comes a soft voice from behind us, and we all jump, startled. He has a way of… — Lauren Henderson Copy Share Image
“How cool ,” she says, directing a melting stare at Luca. “I’d love to live in a place like this--just pull a… — Lauren Henderson Copy Share Image
“Hey!” Paige waves flirtatiously at Luca, one of those girl-waves where you open and flutter your fingers while flashing a brilliant smile.… — Lauren Henderson Copy Share Image
“We should go,” I say. I look at Luca hopelessly. “Get home safe,” I manage, shrugging out of his jacket, which I’ve… — Lauren Henderson Copy Share Image
“I feel sick!” Paige whines beside me, snapping me out of my reverie. “I’m getting totally carsick! These roads are way too… — Lauren Henderson Copy Share Image
“I am Sebastiano, and your name?” he asks. “Violet,” I say as we step over the threshold. “Violetta!” he says, throwing his… — Lauren Henderson Copy Share Image
“I’d be mortified at getting stuck down in a sexy squat. Absolutely mortified. I give Paige huge points for coming up laughing… — Lauren Henderson Copy Share Image
“Wow,” I breathe as we walk along the road past the parked cars, and come to an arched gate set in a… — Lauren Henderson Fairy Copy Share Image
“I consider, momentarily, running off to the loo to do a better fix-up job on myself, but what if Luca comes back… — Lauren Henderson Copy Share Image
“I think he’s read my mind, because after a brief pause, he asks, “You have a nice time at the party?” There’s… — Lauren Henderson Copy Share Image
“Luca waits patiently while she clutches him, kisses him, pats his cheek, muttering “ mio bellissimo figlio ,” “my beautiful son,” something… — Lauren Henderson Copy Share Image
“Luigi, the art teacher, holds up his brush, and we all do the same. I’m not quite sure why we’re mirroring his… — Lauren Henderson Art Copy Share Image
“We cross a bridge, and all of us girls gasp in unison and crane our necks to the right-hand window of the… — Lauren Henderson Romantic Copy Share Image
“This is Luca, our friend,” Leonardo says happily as I think: Luca. Finally. “Ciao ,” Luca says, nodding at us, his long… — Lauren Henderson Copy Share Image
“I pull lightly on its soft silky ears, smooth down its thick fur, and distract myself so thoroughly that it’s only after… — Lauren Henderson Copy Share Image
“There are plenty of boys clustered around the wall, laughing, shoving each other playfully, yelling, competing for the attention of the girls.… — Lauren Henderson Copy Share Image
“I stop at the touch of his hand on my bare skin, my heart pounding in shock. I turn to look up… — Lauren Henderson Copy Share Image
“I want to get some fresh air,” I say, and move around him, stepping off onto the stone slabs and promptly sinking… — Lauren Henderson Fresh air Copy Share Image
“I draw in a long breath, and then it catches in my throat as his hand closes over mine, still wrapped around… — Lauren Henderson Copy Share Image
“ Veramente particolare! You know what this word means?” She looks straight at me, and I feel very large and under-made-up by… — Lauren Henderson Copy Share Image
“Italians stand up a lot at bars,” I comment, taking the glass of water Luca’s pushing toward me. It’s fizzy, with ice… — Lauren Henderson Designer clothes Copy Share Image
