Sammy in Italy (Single Wide Female Travels #2) (10 page)

“I suppose that would be difficult. I just hope that you’re able to enjoy yourself a little before it’s time for you to move on.”
 

“I’m sure I will. I’m sorry if I’ve given you the impression that I’m not happy. You’ve done so much to make our stay here special. I really couldn’t be happier with everything you’ve done.”

“Well, maybe without the ant bites.” Isabella laughed as she parked the car outside the hotel. “Have a great day, Samantha. If you need anything just let me know.”

“Thanks, Isabella.” I leaned across to give her a quick hug. “Please don’t ever think that I don’t appreciate everything that you’ve done for me. This has been one of the best experiences of my life. Just when I thought I couldn’t be pushed any further, you showed me a new way to grow. I think I’m just having a few growing pains along the way.”

“Perfect for the next book, right?” Isabella smiled.
 

“I hope so.” I laughed and stepped out of the car.

I reached the lobby in time to meet Max as he stepped off the elevator.
 

“How did you know I was here?” I hugged him.
 

“I hoped. I thought that if you weren’t, I might go out hunting for you.” He looked into my eyes. “I missed you this morning.”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t want to wake you. I thought one of us should get some sleep.”

“You didn’t sleep well last night?” He narrowed his eyes. “I noticed a bit of tossing and turning.”

“I just couldn’t fall asleep. I tried, I really did.” I stifled a yawn.
 

“Then maybe we should stay in today so you can get some sleep.” He raised an eyebrow. “I don’t want you to be exhausted for the book signing tomorrow.”
 

“No way, I’ve been looking forward to this. I just need to pick up some cream for my feet.”

He looked down at the numerous bug bites on my feet. “I see meditation in the park may not have gone so well?”

“It wasn’t my best moment, but I’m sure the rest of the day will be great. I can’t wait to find out what you have in store for me. Are you going to give me a clue?” I grinned as I looked into his eyes.
 

“It’s going to be a very sweet experience.” He winked.
 

“Hm. Sweet. Any time we spend the day together is sweet.” I pecked his lips. “I guess we should hurry, we don’t want to waste any time.”

“Wait.” He pulled me close. “That’s what I don’t want you to do.”

“What do you mean?” I gazed into his eyes.
 

“I don’t want you to hurry. I don’t want you to think about the time. I just want you to be with me.”
 

“I will be.” I leaned into his arms. “Always.”

“I know, but what I mean is, I want you to be present with me. I know you’ve got a lot on your mind, but I’d like you to try your best to let all that go. I just want one day where it’s just you and me—no books, no tour, no worries—just us.” He brushed his hand back through my hair and stroked the back of my neck. “What do you say?”
 

“I say that sounds like paradise.” I kissed him again, then pulled away.

He pulled me back and kissed me again. Within moments I disappeared in the heady pleasure of his kiss. The sensation was one that I loved, but it also reminded me of how long I’d gone without it. Sure we’d been kissing, but not that deep soul-intertwining, outside-world-vanishing type of kissing. I lingered in the afterglow of it with his arms still wrapped around me.

“Max, I love you.”

“I love you too, Sammy.” He kissed the top of my head. “I love being here with you. I love that we’re going to spend the day together.”

“Doing what, exactly?” I looked up at him with a sneaky smile. “Are you going to tell me, or do I have to keep guessing?”

Chapter 23

“You can’t stand it, can you?” Max raised an eyebrow.
 

“You know I’m not a fan of surprises.” I stuck out my bottom lip.
 

“You mean you’re not a fan of not being in control?” He smirked.
 

“Stop!” I laughed. “Please, just tell me.”

“Alright, fine.” He offered a dramatic sigh.
 

“We’re going on a gelato tour.”

 
“A what?” I narrowed my eyes.
 

“A gelato tour. See?” He held up a piece of paper. “Each of these shops offers an assortment of flavors and this little guide will take us through the most unique ones. So we get a chance to try as many flavors as we like.”

I looked at the glossy paper. Each building had a picture of a scrumptious-looking gelato. My mouth watered at the sight of them, but my chest also tightened. They were full of sugar. How was that going to fit into my diet?
 

“Max.” I frowned and looked up from the paper. “Do you really think that’s a good idea?”
 

“Obviously I do, otherwise I wouldn’t have suggested it. What’s wrong with it?” The tension around his eyes indicated that he was disappointed in my reaction.
 

“I’m trying to lose weight, Max, not gain it.” My entire body grew tense.

“And it doesn’t always have to be about that, Sammy. Does it?” He shook his head. “We’re in Italy, I want us to have a little fun. Is that so bad?”
 

“A little fun can mean a serious backslide.” I glanced away from him for a moment and drew a deep breath. “I’m sorry, I know that you planned this as a special outing for us. I don’t mean to be negative, but I just think that I need to get back in control of my diet—and everything else.”

“There’s that ‘c’ word again.” He rolled his eyes. “What is the point of being in Italy together if we don’t get to enjoy it?”
 

“There’s nothing wrong with enjoying things, Max, but there’s no need to give up all control to enjoy myself. I can have fun doing things that don’t involve a day filled with dessert. There’s nothing wrong with wanting to be in control, especially when things have been so chaotic.” I rested a hand on his chest and looked into his eyes. “Why is it so bad that I want to hold on to that?”

“It’s not bad, it’s just exhausting. I think sometimes it’s okay to lose a little control.” He stepped closer to me and swept his arm around my back. “We are in Italy. Do I need to repeat that? We’re in a part of the world that we might never have the chance to be in again. I don’t want to leave here without you having the chance to relax and truly enjoy yourself.” He curled his hands around mine and gave a firm squeeze. “I’m going to break you out of this apprehension you’ve been dealing with, if it takes me the entire tour.”

I pulled my hands from his and set my jaw. After counting to three to calm myself down I settled my gaze on him.
 

“Maybe what you want isn’t what’s best, Max. You know that one of the biggest changes I’ve had to make in my life was removing food as a source of entertainment. I learned to have fun without food being a part of it. Now you’re asking me to do something—”

“You make it sound as if I’m trying to get you to break the law.” He folded his arms across his chest and turned his back to me. “I’m sorry. You’re right. I guess I should have calculated the calorie content before I even thought about the idea. Then I could have faxed the results to Isabella to see if I had her approval, and I’m guessing the approval of the tour manager and—let’s see, maybe even the publisher?” He glanced over his shoulder at me. “You don’t belong to them, Samantha. Just because you’re working for them, that doesn’t mean that you have to mold yourself to be what you think everyone else wants you to be. But if that’s what you want, then from now on, I’ll make sure that we keep a running list of everything you put in your mouth. Do they need to know about our sex life too? Doesn’t that count as exercise?”
 

My heart beat hard against my chest. The more he spoke, the harder it beat. “Max, that isn’t fair.” I locked my eyes onto his. “I’ve already splurged a lot. I’m just trying to make better choices for myself. If you can’t support that—”
 

“Don’t!” He lifted one finger in the air and turned fully to face me. “Don’t tell me that I don’t support you. I’ve supported you every step of the way. I’ve seen you deny yourself simple pleasures that everyone else gets to enjoy. I’ve seen you exercise when you should have been resting. I know what sacrifices you make, and I’m proud of you for them. But you can’t always be sacrificing, Sammy, and neither can I.”
 

“Is that what it feels like to you? That you’re having to sacrifice to be with me?” Tears blurred my eyes as the weight of my lack of sleep rippled through my emotions.
 

“No Sammy, that’s not what I said—not at all.” He cupped my cheeks with his hands. “I treasure every moment I have with you. Just once in a while, I’d like to see that you’re enjoying it too.”
 

I blinked back the tears and sighed. “On the one day we have to spend together uninterrupted, we pick a fight with one another. I have let things get really out of balance. That’s why I’m trying to get back to my routine. Can’t you see that?”

Chapter 24

Max looked away from me for a moment. His shoulders rose and fell with a deep breath. When he looked back at me his expression was thoughtful.
 

“I’m sorry. You’re right. I guess I just didn’t think it through. I should have been more considerate. We can find something else to do. All I want is time with you, no matter what we’re doing.”
 

The strain in his voice made me swallow hard. Was I making everything about me? Was that the kind of marriage I wanted to have? After all, he was in Italy too.
 

“No, you know what? I’m the one that’s wrong. You’re right. This is supposed to be fun too. I like your idea. You know how much I love my sweets. Why don’t we go on the tour, and I’ll just take a taste of each of yours. By the time the tour is done, I’ll have eaten about one gelato and gotten to sample all the flavors. If you’re willing to share, that is.” I poked him in the side.
 

“Oh, I’m willing.” He smiled. I saw the light of excitement return in his eyes. “Are you sure you don’t mind?”

“I don’t mind, Max. I love that you thought of this. I am trying to relax and enjoy myself. I’m just having a hard time getting there.” I stifled another yawn.
 

“We’ll make it a quick tour. So you can get some extra sleep.”
 

“I’m sorry, I just need some coffee.” I hid another yawn.
 

“Alright, why don’t you get some cream for your feet, I’ll pick us up some coffees, and then we’ll head out.”

“Thanks, Max.” I hugged him, then pulled back to look into his eyes. “I’m so glad we get to spend the day together.”
 

I stopped in the shop in the lobby of the hotel and was able to find some cream for my feet. After I took a few minutes in a chair in the corner to coat them, I ducked into the bathroom to wash up.
 

“Have you seen the new line by Alistair?”

I overheard a conversation between two women at the sinks as I washed my hands.
 

“Yes, it’s amazing. I can’t believe that some of those high-end clothes are going to be available for regular women now. No more gazing at the magazines—we get to actually buy the dresses.”

“Yes, if we can afford them.” The other woman laughed.

I smiled to myself as they finished washing their hands. It was nice to see the fashion industry opening up to all women.

I joined Max in front of the hotel.

“Coffee.” He handed me one.

I accepted it and blew into the top of the cup to cool it some.
 

“Perfect. I’ll be in top shape in no time.”
 

“How about we take that gondola ride first? It’ll give us time to enjoy our coffee and keep you off your feet for a bit.”

“That’s a good idea.” I wrapped my arm around his, silently ordering myself to relax with this man I adored. I struggled to get into the space that I knew he wanted me to be in.

Once we were on the gondola, Max wrapped his arm around my waist and pulled me close.
 

“I’m sorry I got frustrated earlier. I’m just trying to make this special, and maybe I’m pushing too much.” He looked straight into my eyes. “Sammy, I meant it when I said that I value every moment we have together. Nothing about being with you is a sacrifice for me. Never think that, okay?”

“Okay.” I smiled with gratitude. “But you don’t need to apologize to me. I’m the one that’s a little off, not you.”
 

He gazed out over the water for a moment, then looked back at me. “I think that I don’t always know the right thing to say to you, you know?”

“I know.” I squeezed his hand. “You don’t have to worry about that, Max. I love you for who you are.”
 

“I love you too, Sammy.”
 

I rested my head against his shoulder. The lull of the boat rocking in the water, the subtle slash of the paddle, and the warmth of Max’s chest joined together to tug me into slumber.
 

“Sammy?”
 

I forced my eyes open and looked up into Max’s. “Max?”
 

“Are you okay?” He frowned.
 

“I’m sorry. Did I fall asleep?”

“Yes. The ride is over. We have to get onto the dock.”
 

My heart sunk as I took his hand. He helped me onto the dock. He didn’t say a word, but he didn’t have to. I could see in the downturn of his lips that he wasn’t pleased I’d missed the entire gondola ride.
 

“Maybe we should just head back to the hotel.” He walked with me to the end of the dock. “I think it might be for the best.”

“No way, I’m wide awake now. I promise.” I kissed his cheek. “I’m ready to taste some gelato.”

“You sure?” He studied me. “Sleep is important.”

“I’m sure. I’m sorry I fell asleep on you. I won’t let it happen again.”
 

“Well, this is our first stop.” He gestured to a small gelato shop not far from the dock. “The guide says that they’re famous for a hazelnut flavor.”