One Chance(15)

“Are you going to take it?”

“I have no idea.” I was surprised at how easy it was to talk to Bob. He had a calming way about him that reminded me of William. “I don’t want to move, but it’s a great job.”

“I’m surprised William didn’t make you an offer to get you to stay.” Bob took a long drink from his beer.

I sighed. “He did, actually. He wants me to quit my job but stay in Chicago. He said he would take care of things until I find something else. I said no.”

“Sounds like a pretty sweet deal.” Bob chuckled and finished his beer. “I wish someone would make me that offer. Why did you turn him down?”

“Because I need to figure this out myself. I can’t explain it.” I didn’t even completely understand it myself.

Bob leaned forward and rested his elbows on his knees. “I get it. I really do. You need to be able to stand on your own two feet. But if you don’t mind, I’d like to give you some advice.”

I nodded. “Fire away.”

“It’s good to be able to stand on your own, but sometimes it’s just as important to know when to lean on someone else. William is a good guy. He cares about you more than I’ve ever seen him care about anyone. Don’t be afraid to trust him.” Bob shrugged. “Then again, what do I know? My wife just left me.”

“Bob, I don’t know Courtney, but I think I’m beginning to know you. And based on what I know, I have to say that Courtney is a lunatic and you and the kids will be better off without her.” I stood up hastily. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to go buy a plane ticket to Italy.”





CHAPTER FIVE

The flight to Rome took just over nine hours. Normally, I’m able to sleep like a baby on a long flight, but the adrenaline running through my veins kept me wide awake. I couldn’t begin to imagine how William had handled the flight considering he suffered from an intense flying phobia.

I thought about the way his jaw would clench and his lips would press into a thin line as he tried not to let his anxiety show. Thinking about William, a smile spread over my face and I couldn’t wait to see him. I thought about taking the train into the city but I had just missed one and I wasn’t in the mood to wait around for thirty minutes until the next one left so I tracked down a taxi instead. My driver spoke English very well and he gave me a private tour of the city as we made our way to William’s hotel.

I was awed by the massive Coliseum and impressive Vatican City in the distance. I had spent a week in Florence when I was in college but hadn’t made it to Rome. Where Florence had amazing art stowed away in museums, Rome had stunning architecture for the entire world to see.

“Rome is a very romantic city,” my cab driver said when he saw me staring out the window at a couple in a passionate embrace. “You have husband?”

“No. No husband.” I thought about William again and grinned. “A boyfriend.”

“Even better!” He laughed and whipped the car down a narrow street. “Rome is a city for lovers and married people only fight.”

“Are we close to the hotel?” All of the buildings looked the same to me- old and Italian.

“Hotel Roma, straight ahead.”

Leave it to William to pick the nicest hotel in Rome. As a bellman helped me with my bags, I took in the grand exterior of the hotel. Marble columns, gold trim and a red plush carpet leading inside.

The inside was even more glamorous and I got to spend a lot of time enjoying it because it turned out that William was out. I sent him a text to see what he was up to, keeping my surprise trip a secret. He replied that he was at dinner with the new client and would probably be out late. I tried not to imagine William having dinner with some Italian princess.

The hotel staff went out of their way to make me feel welcome. A particularly friendly young man brought me a glass of wine and kept it filled. After what was at least my third glass, he very politely asked if I would like to accompany him to one of the rooms. In my semi-drunk state, it took me a minute to figure out what he was implying.

“Oh. Thanks, but no thanks. No grazi.” I hoped my rejection wouldn’t cut off the supply of wine.

When William walked through the front door, I sensed him before I saw him. The room became electric and every nerve in my body jumped to attention. I turned to the door, and I saw him before he saw me. He was wearing a dark gray suit, white dress shirt and red tie. He was typing away on his phone, completely oblivious to my presence. My phone vibrated on the table next to me and I grabbed it.

It was William letting me know that he was back at the hotel and he missed me. I smiled as I typed my reply. “I missed you, too. Look to your right.”