Her Best Friend's Brother(35)

“I wil come down.” She answered. As quickly as she could move Libby puled on fresh clothes and brushed her hair back into a ponytail. No time for makeup Libby settled for lip gloss applied in the elevator. Outside she found Gio leaned against motor bike parked at the curb.

“Your chariot.” Gio stepped towards her gesturing behind him to the bike.

“You have a motor bike!”

“It is rented, actualy. But the result is the same. Come for a ride with me.”

And she did. They toured al the major sites.

Most of which she had already seen, but she appreciated them differently in Gio’s company. Their tour ended at the Trevi Fountain. Gio’s large frame had no trouble parting through the tourists as he brought Libby close to the famous landmark.

“They say if you throw a coin into the fountain, you are sure to return to Rome one day.” Gio reached into his pocket and offered her a handful of coins. Libby knew the legend and she had in fact tossed a euro into the fountain her first week in Italy. Unwiling to break the magic of the afternoon with that confession-- Libby chose a coin from Gio’s palm, tossed it high into the air, and watched it splash into the water. Without tearing his eyes from Libby’s face Gio dropped the rest of the coins into the fountain. “So that you might return many times, Mia Betta.” He said when she raised her eyebrows at him.

Dear Mel,

I met someone! His name is Gio, and he incredible.

He took me for a motor bike ride last week, and then he cooked me dinner a few nights ago. Next weekend he wants to take me up the Almalfi coast for a picnic on the beach at Positano.

Love, Libby

Ps: you would approve of his accent

Dear Libby,

Details!

Love, Mel

***

I hope things are well—you haven’t written in awhile. I guess you are busy. I have to admit the time has passed more quickly than I thought it would. I can’t wait to see you this summer.

-t-

Sorry I have been busy. The thing is, I won’t be home this summer after all. I was accepted into a certificate program at the Culinary Institute. I am going to finish my degree at the American University of Rome this fall, and then I will spend an eighteen week term full time at the culinary institute. I could hardly believe my mother agreed to it, but it is an incredible opportunity.

I can’t wait for the first Raines book. I have all my friends pre-ordering copies. You’ll be releasing in Europe before you know it!

-l-

That’s great Lib. I am happy for you.

-t-

Dear Libby,

We are getting married! I hope I looked surprised when John asked, but to be honest I found the ring weeks ago. We are planning for June—you’ll be home by then right? We have to have time for your maid-of-honor dress fittings.

Love, the future Mrs. Jonathan Evans

Dear Mel,

Congrats! Of course I’ll be home. I should be back by the end of April which leaves me plenty of time to plan a bachelorette party. I am so happy for you. John too.

Love, Libby

Can you believe it about Mel? I guess John has grown on me by now. But she seems too young to get married. Wow.

I left the Examiner. I am renting an office in Lindstown with an apartment above it. I have decided to start my own paper. What do you think?

-t-

That’s awesome Tony! I want you to send me every issue!

-l-

Libby decided not to mention that Mel was an adult. It was probably time to let that old argument die.

I can hardly believe I am finished. The last few months were killer, but totally worth it. Why didn’t you tell me that graduating college was such an affirming experience?

It was sad not to have Mel and John here. But, my mom and Stuart are staying in Rome for a second honeymoon and it has been good to see them. I know you’re busy, but I wish you could have been here.

-l-

Chapter Thirteen Affirming? Tony didn’t remember his graduation feeling quite so profound. But he supposed it might be a girl thing. He probably could have gone, but he didn’t think he could face Libby’s Italian boyfriend. Anyway she would be home in a few months. Mel seemed sure that Libby was serious about this guy. But Libby was stil planning on coming home, so that was as good as a green light for Tony. He knew he had handled her news badly before she left, but now he had had time to think about it and Libby had been right. She needed to go to Italy, and after al this time waiting at extra 20 months didn’t seem like such a hardship. Moving on hadn’t worked. Libby was burned so clearly into his brain that eventualy Tony had given up taking other girls out.

Mel had been very clear in her verbal abuse of him when Libby had left for Italy. Apparently Libby deserved better than a few emails and phone cals. Apparently he had deprived Libby of ‘flowers, and nights out, and al the things real couples did.’ She was right, Libby did deserve those things. So when she came home Tony would be ready. He had a new business, and he was house hunting now that the paper was supporting itself. He was a multi-published author. Which wasn’t a lawyer or an Italian chef but it certainly seemed to impress Libby. He would take her on real dates, and bring her flowers, and make her fal in love with him. This was clearly Tony’s only option, since he was more certain now than ever that Libby was the only one for him.