Unwanted Stars (17 page)

It figures. My first tour group is a total dud. These people are ridiculously boring. They don't go out in the evenings. They don't ask me for the names of the best pubs and bars. They're more interested in the best libraries and landmarks each city has to offer.

Yeah, I get it. Some people actually travel to
see
Europe and I'm not knocking them for that. But, my goodness, Jordan is known for being a great "social experience for those between the ages of eighteen and thirty-five.” In other words, it's a party company. You get the sites, you learn the history,
and
at the end of the day, you enjoy the nightlife.

But this group...they're just not interested in the nightlife. So I spend my evenings pouring through my educational materials from Jordan, learning all that I can, stepping up my game for my little bookworm tour members.

We're in Rome and there is so much to see—Vatican City, The Sistine Chapel, St. Peter's Basilica, The Colosseum (so friggin' cool), the Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, the list goes on and on. Luckily, I've studied my ass off
and
we're here for two days.

Today was our second day, and aside from a small guided tour this morning, they were left to explore Rome on their own,which turned out to be a good thing. A
really
good thing.

Our bus delivered us to the piazza near Trevi Fountain for the beginning of the guided tour. When everyone had gathered near the grand sculpted fountain, I began my speech. "Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the imposing Trevi Fountain. What you probably know is that this is a huge tourist attraction. Before we leave, you'll probably want to toss a coin behind you as someone snaps your picture. But, what you probably don't know is that this fountain existed for centuries in relative obscurity before the release of a film in 1954 called
Three Coins in a Fountain
. It's always crowded now. Literally thousands of tourists visit the fountain each day."

My group was engrossed in my words, as they had been throughout the past ten days. I guessed that was the one good thing about this group. They were actually interested in what I had to say.

"There is quite a bit of superstition surrounding the fountain and how to properly toss the coin for good luck." I pulled a penny from my pocket to demonstrate, my back to the fountain. "Hold the coin in your
right
hand, turn your back to the fountain, and toss the coin over your
left
shoulder. According to tradition, the spirit of the fountain will then see to it that you return to Rome one day. If you toss two coins, you’ll find love. If you toss three, you’ll find love and marry."

"Awesome," a wide-eyed American named Lynn said.

"I agree," I said with a smile.

Gesturing for them to take my place by the fountain, I made my way to the side, watching them take pictures, laugh, and toss coins over their shoulders. Some of them looked to me for confirmation they'd done it properly, which made me smile. I loved that they were enjoying themselves.

After everyone had tossed a coin into the Trevi, we boarded the bus again, making our way to Vatican City. During our drive, I reminded my tour members of Rome's strict dress code.

"Ladies, please remember, just as we reviewed yesterday, bare shoulders, halter tops, tank tops, and shorts or skirts above the knee will lead to your being turned away at the entrance of churches and other Catholic sites. Luckily, it's not the peak of summer, so you all look pretty covered," I said, attempting to lighten the mood. "But please remember this as we enter Vatican City."

When our bus reached the heart of the city, we disembarked and made our way to the Vatican Gardens.

"This is where I leave you, folks," I said. "Everyone is free to explore Vatican City, the Roman piazzas, and shops nearby. We'll meet back at this spot at 8:00pm, which gives you over nine hours to explore, shop, and see the sights. Enjoy."

Tour members bid me farewell as they walked in several different directions. I took a very needed deep breath and looked for a bench to sit on. This was the part of the job I wasn't sure I'd ever get used to...the lonely part when all of the members of the tour explored on their own. Usually, I shopped to keep my mind busy. Today though, I just felt like sitting down and taking in the city.

Several text messages waited for me on my phone. Hadley had sent me some more photos of bridesmaid dresses since I vetoed the last three batches. These were actually pretty.

"Nice work, Had," I said under my breath before sending her a congratulatory text and that, shockingly enough, any of the three would be fine with me.

One text was from Jason giving me shit for not calling our parents often enough. "Moving on," I muttered. The next text was from Campbell. I grinned. "Why, hello," I said to my phone. It was just a simple text that said, "
Enjoy Rome.
" After a day spent with virtual strangers, those two words send a thrill down my spine. With a smile I texted back, "
So, you read my itinerary, did you? Stalker.
"

His response. "
You
have no idea...
"

His text gave me pause. I looked up with longing in my widened eyes, hoping he was standing just a few feet away from me, disguising himself with an Italian newspaper or large sunglasses and a detective's trench coat. But he was nowhere to be seen.

Pull yourself together, Auden. He was just being a smartass.

"Mi scusi," a tiny voice said to me. A young boy with a baseball cap on his head and a smile upon his face was standing in front of me.

"Si?" I replied, wondering if he needed help. Maybe he was lost. "Hai perso?"

He shook his head and giggled behind his little curled up hand. Okay, he wasn't lost. He didn't have to be a smartass about it. When he finished laughing, he opened up his fingers, exposing a matchbook. I gasped as he placed it in my hand.

"Grazie," I said, "Grazie, grazie."

"Ciao.” He smiled and a waved as he ran down the street.

I lifted the tab in about a millisecond to find a simple message written on the cardboard.

My breath caught in my chest, knowing he was here. Campbell was here somewhere in the square. I rose to my feet, twisting and turning my head, craning my neck in the hopes of finding him. And then I did. Several yards away, he was sitting at an outdoor cafe, a shit-eating grin on his chiseled face. When our eyes met, he raised his coffee mug to me and nodded his gorgeous head.

Such a nerd.

Resisting the urge to run and tackle him on the spot, I strolled over, looking as confident as possible. Couldn't let him see how much he affected me. Couldn't let him have the upper hand. But inside—oh, man, on the inside I was soaring like a freaking bird.

"Well look at you," I said, taking in the sight of him. He was leaning back into the wrought iron chair, one elbow propped on the back of it. He removed his sunglasses, revealing his gorgeous baby blues. God, I'd missed those eyes. I stood with my hands on my hips, biting my lower lip and raising both eyebrows.

"Are you surprised?" he asked as he jumped to his feet, wrapping his arms around me and planting a soft kiss on my lips.

"You could say that," I said, relaxing into his embrace.

"Join me for a cappuccino?" he asked, looking hopeful as he pulled away slightly, his eyes fixed on mine. "This is day two, right? You have a lot of time before they'll be back."

"You really did study that itinerary, didn't you?"

"I have a keen eye for detail," he replied without missing a beat.

"Or you're a stalker," I said with a smirk.

"Or both," he said, grinning from ear to ear. "Come, sit. I've missed you."

He pulled the chair out for me and I sat at the tiny metal table, drumming my fingertips on the surface. I was giddy but trying so hard to hide it. The nervous energy inside me had to escape somehow and my fingers were happy to oblige.

"I can't believe you're here," I said softly, granting my face permission to soften, allowing Campbell to see how happy I actually was to see him. He'd taken my droll first tour and turned it on its head, surprising me by wanting to be near me, even if just for a short time. It was the middle of the week, and I knew our time was limited. He must have patients to see.

"I had to see you," he said, taking my hand in his. "This past week has been hell."

"Bad week at the office?" I asked.

"Not at all. Just trying to adjust to life without you near me."

"And I thought
I
was dramatic," I said with a teasing tone.

"You're like technology, Auden. Once you have it, you can't live without it. You forget what life was even like before it entered your life."

"You're
such
a nerd."

"Bulk in the brain, baby!" he said, wiggling his eyebrows up and down. I couldn't help but laugh and roll my eyes.

"Oh my god, did you seriously just say that?"

"Indeed, I did." He looked way too proud of himself.

"I'm like
technology?
"

"Well, it's the truth," he said, grabbing his cell phone. "Take this, for example. This little gadget has changed all of us. No more pay phones on every corner. We have this 24-7, a world of information at our fingertips. Can you imagine giving yours up?" he asked, gesturing to my phone sitting on the table.

"No."

"Exactly. That's how I feel about
you
. I can't imagine ever giving you up. Can't remember what life was like before you."

His words made me melty. As nerdy as they were, they resonated with me. He was just as attached to me as I was to him. It was time to let him off the hook. Placing my phone in my hands, I studied the small machine before looking him in the eye.

"Okay, so I'm like technology. I guess I can handle that."

"You're my gorgeous little cell phone."

"Okay,
that
was lame."

"Perhaps," he said, "but it made you laugh. And that was the goal."

"True," I said, pausing, not sure I wanted to know the answer to the question I was about to ask.

"What is it?" he asked, pursing his lips and narrowing his eyes. How did he
do that?

"Just wondering how long I'll get to enjoy you..."

"Just until your tour members come back, then I'll have to get back. Patients in the morning." His brow was wrinkled, his face tense. He knew I'd be disappointed with that answer.

"I'll take what I can get," I said. His face brightened with those simple words.

"Good. Because I'm looking forward to a private tour."

"No, no, no. I'm off the clock, buddy."

"What? Do you mean I came all the way down here and you're not even going to show me around? I want to see the Sistine Chapel."

"You haven't seen it?"

He shook his head.

"How is that possible? You're only hours away! You Europeans...such slackers."

He laughed before taking a sip of his cappuccino. I was starting to realize one thing about Campbell (actually a bunch of things, but this one was confirmed each time we were together, so I was feeling confident about mentioning it). When I made him tongue tied, he simply laughed and took a drink (if one was available. If not, he'd scratch his chin or move his sunglasses from his nose to his head or vice versa. It was his tell. Sometimes I was too quick witted for him, and I loved it. Normally, I'd jump in again, but now that I was reading him, I liked to make him stew. Wait for him to speak...

Three sips of coffee later and a wipe of his napkin against his firm, masculine lips, and he finally spoke.

"I know what you're doing," he said, his voice deep and coarse against the air.

I looked behind me. "Who? Me?"

"Yeah, you. You're waiting me out—biding your time until I think of a comeback for your antics. My clever little minx."

"Minx? So I'm a minx now? That's a big jump from cell phone."

"That's how I roll," he said with a shrug and a goofy grin.

"How very gangsta of you," I said. This time it was my turn to take a sip of the hot coffee placed in front of me as I watched his smile broaden. That dimple resurfaced on his cheek. God, I'd missed it.It was amazing how a simple dent in the skin could get me all hot and bothered. It suited him in a way that I'd never seen a dimple suit a face. His incredibly handsome face changed to boyish good looks with a generous smile. Such a simple transformation and I loved it.

"Well, if there's one word to describe Dr. Campbell Hutchins, it's straight-up gangsta," he said, that dimple still teasing me from his defined cheek.

"Don't I know it," I said, finishing my coffee and hopping to my feet. "Let's get the show on the road, Starsky. I need to introduce your gangsta ass to Rome."

"Yes, ma'am," he said, rising to his feet. I had to snicker. All the talk about being gangsta and yet his manners never faltered. It was adorable, really. Simply adorable.