Total pages in book: 134
Estimated words: 135364 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 677(@200wpm)___ 541(@250wpm)___ 451(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 135364 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 677(@200wpm)___ 541(@250wpm)___ 451(@300wpm)
He sets the bowl down and straightens, eyes sharpening.
"The Harper & Miller?"
"Yes." I bite my lip, the words bubbling out of me. "They said they were impressed with my manuscript, and they want a meeting. A meeting about - wait -”
I open up my phone and re-read the words again.
“About potential next steps for publication."
His face goes slack with shock, and then he whoops, sweeping me into his arms and spinning me around so abruptly that I nearly drop my phone.
"Cazzo, bella! That's amazing! Incredible!” he laughs into my hair. “My girlfriend is going to be a published author!"
"Not officially," I say, breathless with laughter. "It’s just a meeting."
"Just a meeting?" He sets me down and grips my shoulders. "This is huge. You finished the book, you sent it out, and now they want you. I'm so proud of you."
Emotion swells in my throat as I smile widely at him.
"You really think it's a big deal?"
"Amore, I’ve always known you were going to make it. And now it’s happening." He grins. "Didn’t I tell you? You're unstoppable."
I laugh and hug him tightly, feeling the warmth of his pride wrap around me.
*
Later, after dinner, we sit on the couch together. Matteo’s arm is draped across my shoulders, and I scroll through the email again for the tenth time.
"It feels surreal," I whisper.
He kisses the top of my head. "Good surreal?"
"The best."
Outside, cicadas hum softly in the warm night air. The windows are open, letting in the scent of fresh flowers from his expansive gardens.
"You know," Matteo says softly, "I was right about you."
"Oh yeah?" I nudge his ribs with my elbow. "What exactly were you right about?"
"Everything." His hand tightens on my shoulder. "I told you to stop overthinking. To live in the moment. And look what happened."
I smile, leaning my head against his chest.
He was right.
Six months ago, I'd been convinced my time in Rome was temporary. That I'd go home to London, settle back into the dull rhythm of my old life, and leave all of this behind.
But then I let myself live in the moment.
And now here I am - living in one of the world’s most beautiful cities, doing a job I love, writing a book I’m proud of, and coming home every night to this beautiful house and the man who makes me laugh until my sides hurt and love until my heart aches.
All because I stopped overthinking and just let go.
I sigh contentedly as Matteo strokes his fingers through my hair.
"I'm very wise, bella. You should listen to me more often."
"Yes. Well. Thanks for making me listen.”
I lift my head and kiss him slowly.
"Although you're still an arrogant ass sometimes," I whisper against his lips.
"And yet," he murmurs back, smiling, "here you are."
I am.
And I’m so, so glad.
Because what was supposed to be a fleeting assignment - a temporary trip to a foreign city and a short-lived fling with a man I was convinced I couldn’t stand - turned into something so much more.
A life. A love. A future.
And as I curl up against Matteo’s chest, his steady heartbeat beneath my cheek, I smile to myself.
My Italian love affair didn’t have an expiry date after all.