“The curtain billows gently in the breeze behind him as he steps out to meet me, his hair jet-black by contrast with the translucent white fabric. I jump, gasp, and nearly swallow the grip that I’m still holding between my… — 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 with one heel into the narrow space between them. “Oops!” I say idiotically, ignoring the hand that Luca… — Lauren Henderson Copy Share Image
“ Something else that’s different about Italian boys, I realize. If they see a girl they fancy they go up to her and start talking. If an English boy likes you, he’ll mostly avoid you not to seem too keen. Which is barking mad, of course. Generally, things on the dating side do seem to run much better here. Except… — Lauren Henderson Copy Share
“I realize that looming up before us is one of the major holiday hurdles that any group of girls has to face: the first… — Lauren Henderson Copy Share Image
“ Violetta ,” he whispers into my mouth. “ Violetta, cosa mi fai? ” I open my eyes just a fraction, to peep, and… — Lauren Henderson Copy Share Image
“You didn't mind someone shutting out the world as long as they were happy to take you inside with them.” — Lauren Henderson Copy Share Image
“For a split second, his finger touches my skin, and he might as well have brushed me with a lit match.” — Lauren Henderson Copy Share Image
“Luca leans forward, propping his elbows on the bar table, and I think he’s going to ask me something, maybe what some particularly nonsensical Coldplay lyrics mean: but instead he starts to speak in Italian, so smoothly, the words so soft and liquid, that I swiftly realize he’s quoting some lyrics. The words flow over me, winding around me like… — Lauren Henderson Copy Share
“Luca sits down next to me; the seat isn’t that wide, and his thigh presses against mine as he positions himself so we’re facing each other. “You will not hit me again?” he asks solemnly, and I writhe in shame at the memory. “I’m really sorry about that,” I mumble. “I shouldn’t have slapped you.” “It was not nice,” he… — Lauren Henderson Copy Share
“ I’m in public, in a club in Florence, snogging a boy who I met only a couple of hours ago, so madly that… — 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 cord when… — 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 at him,… — 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 an English… — Lauren Henderson Copy Share Image
“ Bellissime tutte ,” he continues. “You are all beautiful.” Even Kendra, who’s so cool and poised, can’t help looking smug at this flattery;… — Lauren Henderson Copy Share Image
