Chapter 7

Harrison inspects hisfork while we wait for the server to return to take our dinner order. "Do you think they have dishwashers that sanitize utensils, or do they handwash everything?"

"No clue."

We're seated outside at a cute little place along a cobblestone street. Accordion music floats over us like a gentle breeze, the aroma of stewed tomatoes, garlic, and rosemary drifting out of the restaurant as the hum of diners speaking a foreign language embraces us like a warm hug.

Townsfolk stroll along the sidewalk, weighted down with shopping bags as they pop in and out of the shops and restaurants. Kids lick their dripping ice-cream cones down by the fountain of Saint Tuttoscano, throwing coins in and making wishes. The cobblestones bake in the late-evening sun, warming the air on this perfect summer night.

Thisis what I've been looking for since I arrived in Italy.

"It's charming here, don't you think?" I say to Harrison. "There's something about Italy that's magical. The people are so friendly, the views are spectacular. It's like real-world problems don't exist here." I pick up my red wine and take a sip. The tart zing coats my tongue, making me smile.

Harrison sets his fork down, pushing his glasses up on his nose. "How strong were the drugs they gave you?"

"Harrison, I'm serious. I love small towns like this."

"I'm willing to bet real-world problems exist here, too. I don't know, Italy's been nice, but I'm ready to get back home."

"Really? I'm not sure I'm ready to leave. I feel like we just got here. There's so much to see and do still."

Harrison snorts and tears into a piece of fresh bread. "What? Are you going to live here?"

"I don't know…" Could I live here? It would be a pleasant escape from my dull life back home. An escape from Barbara. The idea sounds quite enticing the more it germinates in my head. "Maybe?"

"Summer, you can't be serious. That's ridiculous. You clearly didn't enjoy the bike tour."

"That's not true. I enjoyed meeting you and Lynnette. Romeo was fun, and the views were stunning. Is it ridiculous to wander Italy for the summer…maybe even stay?"

"Yes!" Still chewing his bread, he gives me a pointed look. "You're not a college student bumming around Europe. You're a grown adult with responsibilities like a job and bills to pay."

The server walks over, interrupting us. "Desiderano?"

Harrison whips out his phone and types into it. The server rolls his eyes. "Can I take your order?"

"Oh good, you speak English. I'll start with the salame Toscano and then the tagliata. There's no dairy in that, right? I have a dairy allergy."

The server nods as he scribbles. "Signorina?"

"I'll start with the pappa al pomodoro and the tortelli with the wild boar ragù."

"Sí, very good." The server collects our menus and moves on to check on the other patrons.

"I have a bad feeling he ignored my no-dairy request." Harrison scratches something on the tablecloth with his fingernail. "So, what's your plan? You're just going to stay here?"

I shrug, watching the people walk by. "I don't know, maybe? I came on this trip hoping to find someone I could potentially fall in love with."

"And yet, here you are, sitting with me after having survived a bike accident and a dislocated thumb."

His words grab my attention. Is it possible Harrison has been the guy I've been looking for all along? I mean, he's eleven years younger than me, which makes me feel a bit dirty. I'm thirty-six, not exactly a cougar, but still… Cara would never let me hear the end of it. He's the complete opposite of my last date, Kevin. His arms are pencil-thin and he's as pale as the cream linen tablecloth on our table, but he's funny and he knows my name.

Am I attracted to him? Not really, but I can get past that, can't I?

"Tell me, H, why did you go on this trip?"

He tears another piece of bread apart. "We had a contest in my division. I won it for the most sales of the Kohler Veil one-piece. It's an expensive toilet." He pops the bread into his mouth.

"Seriously?"

"Yeah, I could have chosen between this trip or a fishing trip in Norway. Not much of an angler."

"Not much of a biker, either." I grin.

"Ha, true. But I wasn't about to pass up a free trip."

"So, you weren't looking to make a love connection on this trip?"

Harrison snorts. "Uh, no. The assistant who signed me up didn't realize this was a singles' tour. But whatever, I'm not looking to settle down anytime soon."

I pick up my wineglass and take a large gulp, not tasting anything. Am I so desperate to find my soulmate over here, I'm grasping at straws? Am I looking for a love connection or just a travel companion? I don't even know what I want anymore. Jesus, I can't believe I was even entertaining the idea Harrison might be the one. I must be feeling really down if I thought he and I could…

Harrison groans loudly, ending any foolish thoughts racing around my muddled brain as the server sets down our appetizers. We dig into the scrumptious food, the aromas tantalizing our senses.

"Oh God, this is so incredible. Another reason to stay." I savor the bite of heaven on my tongue. "You've got to try this, H." I fork some of the pomodoro on his plate.

"Summer, what are you going to do? Get a job? You don't even speak Italian."

"I'm picking it up…slowly. I haven't given much thought to the job part. I don't think I need to get one unless I move here permanently. I can work remotely."

He eyes me dubiously. "It's your funeral."

Irritation itches along my skin. What does Harrison know? He's only venturing to Italy because he sold some toilets. "H, haven't you ever wanted to be irresponsible and do something so frivolous it makes your heart beat wildly?"

"Nope."

"It's like I'm standing on the ledge and if I don't jump now, I won't know what's out there, like a stone skipping across smooth water. I need to be adventurous for once in my life!" I bang my fist on the table and immediately shrink back into my seat, Harrison's shocked expression giving me pause. I smooth out the tablecloth. "Sorry."

"Mea culpa, Summer." Harrison holds up his hands in surrender. "Look, if you want my honest opinion, it sounds like you're running away from something."

I frown, running my finger back and forth across the smooth linen. He's right, but I don't want to admit it.

"Nothing on this trip has gone the way I envisioned," I say, dejectedly.

"What did you envision?"

"Coming to Italy, being swept off my bike by a mysterious tall drink of water on the tour. Possibly staying longer and exploring the countryside together."

He peers at me over his water glass. "So, who would you have picked from the A-team if you had to?"

My mouth curls up, relieved he's dropped the ‘what am I avoiding back home' line of questioning. "If I had to? Probably the New York guy—what?" I chuckle, noticing his pained expression. Harrison looks like I just told him Lynnette has a crush on him.

"Garrett? The guy who looks like he has a Wall Street Journal permanently shoved up his ass? I don't even know if he talks."

"He doesn't. That's why I find him attractive." I shrug. "Who would you choose from the A-team if you had to?"

"Probably Jojo."

"Imagine all her trophies she couldn't bring to Italy with her. I bet she has a trophy room."

Harrison shudders. "You're right. I'd rather listen to Amy's awful laugh." The server brings our main courses out. "This looks so good. I wonder how Lynnette is faring?"

"I don't know, but I think she was pretty bummed she didn't get taken down in the accident as well."

"Yeah. How's your thumb feeling?" He stares at the splint and frowns.

"It's sore but doesn't hurt as bad as it did earlier today. How's your head wound?"

"Bandaged. I'm too nervous I'll faint again if I take it off." He shakes his head. "Tell you what, because I screwed up your vacation, the least I can do is pay for dinner tonight and help you find your way around this town tomorrow for…well, whatever it is you're looking for."

"Harrison, that would be amazing!" I reach around the table and hug his neck.

"Don't make me regret it," he says begrudgingly. "And you can't introduce me as your lover—or your son." He digs into his dinner, and I sit back down and do the same.

"Deal."

Harrison twirls his pasta around his fork and inspects it. "I wonder how far Doug got on the singles' tour. We'll never know if he got engaged."

"Maybe he hooked up with Lynnette." I waggle my eyebrows.

Harrison issues a queasy smile. "That's like telling me my grandmother hooked up with one of my friends."

We finish our meals and Harrison yawns. "What do you want to do next?" he asks.

"Let's get some gelato and head back to the hotel. I promised I'd call my friend Cara tonight." I need to catch her up on the accident and il dottore gnocco.

"Sounds good." He slaps some euros onto the table to cover our dinner, then pats his stomach. "So, Garrett…?"

"He looked second best to Michael in spandex." I grin.