Kiss Me Goodnight in Rome (The Senior Semester Series Book 2) (36 page)

“Fine.” Clearing my throat noisily, I attempt a smile, a nod at nonchalance, at faking it. My head throbs, my heartbeat pounding in my temples. Too much wine. “I’m fine.” My go-to words these days: I’m fine, everything’s fine, it’s fine.

“You don’t look fine.” Amber Delaney throws in as she expertly braids her hair, fastening the end with a silver hair tie.

I cut her a look but quickly rearrange my features; it’s best not to show a reaction. Any reaction. I wave my hand dismissively. “Just getting over a cold. Really,” I add brightly. Too brightly. “I’m fine.”

Kay nods her head curtly, but she doesn’t look convinced. Clapping her hands twice, she manages to secure the attention of the other girls in the Varsity Eight and we all form a half moon around her. “How did today feel?” she asks the group.

Valerie Manelli, our seven seat, shakes her head. “Something’s off with the start. We’re too slow.”

Our coxswain, Amanda Stevens, nods in agreement. The rest of the girls chime in with their thoughts, their opinions. Everyone but me.

I’m too busy thinking about last night, too distracted remembering the way his hands felt on my skin. The way he trailed his fingertips up my ribcage with purpose, peeling my shirt off in the process. The way he kissed my neck, his lips pressed against my clavicle, his breath tickling my cheek. How he sounded panting in my ear, begging me for more, begging me. He had a fallen angel tattoo on his left shoulder blade, and he smelled like soap and whisky. Like a man. Like all the men.

“Rodriguez.” Kay’s voice snaps me back to the present.

I look up. “Yes?”

“Do you have anything to add?”

I shake my head. “No.”

She sighs and I hear all the words she’s not saying:
what the hell is wrong with you?
But after a hard look, Kay turns to listen to Valerie’s additional suggestions about our start. Our Varsity Eight boat is currently ranked number two in the U.S. For most of us, it’s our senior year, our last season to row, to compete, to be number one. And everyone, especially Kay Hillard, is one thousand percent committed to making this season, our final season, our best yet. We will be number one.

I wish I cared. I used to care. I used to care more than anyone. More than Kay Hillard. Turning my heavy sigh into a cough, I recall the way his fingers felt digging into my scalp, tugging hard at my hair. He had ink scrawled across his knuckles.

I peek at my FitBit to check the time. 7:38AM. Practice should be wrapping up any minute. I have an 8AM class. Latin American Economies. Craning my neck to the right, I feel a delicious stretch that travels down my shoulder and arm. I’m sore from last night and it feels good, fulfilling. He was fulfilling.

Kay claps her hands again, signaling the end of practice. Tossing my practice duffle over my shoulder, my back aches slightly, and I smile, reminded of his bruising touch, his unbridled passion.

Climbing the two steps up onto the team bus, I scan the rows quickly before taking an empty seat on the left. Turning toward the window, I pop in my earbuds and choose a random playlist from Spotify.

He had large, rough, calloused hands that sent chills up my spine and unleashed butterflies in the pit of my stomach when he touched me. Pulling my hair out of its ponytail and combing my fingers through my tangled mass of curls, his scent engulfs me once more. It’s heady and wild and complicated.

What the hell was his name?

Acknowledgements

A big thank you to everyone who has continued to support me on my writing journey. It’s a constant motivation to have the love and encouragement from so many family members, friends, and readers – I can’t thank you enough!

To Tony and Aiva – your love is everything. I wouldn’t be me – or doing what I love – without your support. Thanks for being Home Team. You are my whole heart.

To Mom, Dad, and Mike – thank you for always encouraging me to chase my dreams – when I was little, and now! Love you guys!

To my best, Christy, THANK YOU for everything. These books wouldn’t come together without your input, advice, and wonderful humor. I couldn’t do it without you.

To Maxann Dobson at The Polished Pen – thank you for loving Mia and Lorenzo as much as I do! Your editing genius is so very much appreciated.

To Deborah Bradseth at Tugboat Design – A big thank you for all of your creativity in designing the perfect cover for
Kiss Me Goodnight in Rome
. I love it! Thank you for also formatting this book.

To all the readers – you humble me. Thank you for your constant support! I hope you enjoyed reading Mia and Lorenzo’s story as much as I loved writing it. And I hope it reminded you of your college days, friendships, and loves – and maybe even that incredible study abroad adventure!

About the Author

Gina Azzi loved every moment of college—especially her study abroad experiences, internships, and travel adventures! She drew on her college experiences to create the storylines for
The Senior Semester Series
.

Gina is a passionate reader, frequent globetrotter, and coffee enthusiast. She currently resides in Canada with her husband and daughter.

Gina loves meeting new people and would love to hear from you! Get in touch with her at:

Email: [email protected]

Twitter:
@gina_azzi

Facebook:
/ginaazziauthor

Website:
www.ginaazzi.com

Gina would love to hear your thoughts about
Kiss Me Goodnight in Rome
! Please consider leaving a review on
Amazon
or
Goodreads
.

For more books by Gina Azzi:

• August
  
  • Prologue
    
  • Chapter One
    
  • Chapter Two
    
  • Chapter Three
    
  • Chapter Four
    
  • Chapter Five
    
  • Chapter Six
    
  • Chapter Seven
    
• September
  
  • Chapter Eight
    
  • Chapter Nine
    
  • Chapter Ten
    
  • Chapter Eleven
    
  • Chapter Twelve
    
  • Chapter Thirteen
    
  • Chapter Fourteen
    
  • Chapter Fifteen
    
  • Chapter Sixteen
    
  • Chapter Seventeen
    
  • Chapter Eighteen
    
  • Chapter Nineteen
    
  • Chapter Twenty
    
  • Chapter Twenty-One
    
  • Chapter Twenty-Two
    
  • Chapter Twenty-Three
    
• October
  
  • Chapter Twenty-Four
    
  • Chapter Twenty-Five
    
  • Chapter Twenty-Six
    
  • Chapter Twenty-Seven
    
  • Chapter Twenty-Eight
    
  • Chapter Twenty-Nine
    
  • Chapter Thirty
    
  • Chapter Thirty-One
    
  • Chapter Thirty-Two
    
  • Chapter Thirty-Three
    
  • Chapter Thirty-Four
    
  • Chapter Thirty-Five
    
  • Chapter Thirty-Six
    
• November
  
  • Chapter Thirty-Seven
    
  • Chapter Thirty-Eight
    
  • Chapter Thirty-Nine
    
  • Chapter Forty
    
  • Chapter Forty-One
    
  • Chapter Forty-Two
    
  • Chapter Forty-Three
    
  • Chapter Forty-Four
    
  • Chapter Forty-Five
    
  • Chapter Forty-Six
    
  • Chapter Forty-Seven
    
  • Chapter Forty-Eight
    
  • Chapter Forty-Nine
    
  • Chapter Fifty
    
  • Chapter Fifty-One
    
  • Chapter Fifty-Two
    
  • Chapter Fifty-Three
    
  • Chapter Fifty-Four
    
  • Chapter Fifty-Five
    
  • Chapter Fifty-Six
    
• December
  
  • Chapter Fifty-Seven
    
  • Chapter Fifty-Eight
    
  • Chapter Fifty-Nine
    
  • Chapter Sixty
    
  • Chapter Sixty-One
    
  • Chapter Sixty-Two
    
  • Epilogue
    
• Acknowledgements
  
• About the Author