Sammy in Italy (Single Wide Female Travels #2) (11 page)

“Oh, yummy.”

He held open the door for me.

Chapter 25

When we walked up to the counter an older man smiled at both of us.
 

“Welcome, welcome. What can I get for you?”

“We’d like a hazelnut gelato.” Max placed the payment on the counter.
 

“Two?” He looked between us.
 

“No, just one.” Max’s smile was a little strained.
 

“And two spoons!” I nudged Max’s elbow.
 

“Oh, you’ll be back for more.” The man grinned and handed Max the gelato and two spoons. “Enjoy.”
 

Max and I stepped back outside. He held the cup out to me. “You get the first taste.”
 

“Okay, I won’t argue.” I scooped up a tiny spoonful of the gelato. As the flavor melted onto my tongue I was so glad that I hadn’t missed out on it. It was like nothing I’d ever tasted before—delicious and refreshing.
 

“Glad you liked it. Let’s keep going.” Max scooped big spoonfuls into his mouth as we walked.

I fixated on the dwindling gelato in the cup. I watched Max’s spoon go from the cup to his lips. Just as he was about to take the last bite, I grabbed his arm.
 

“Max, look over there. Isn’t it a beautiful boat?” I pointed to the water. As Max turned to look, I snatched the gelato right off of his spoon.

He turned back and nodded. “It’s gorgeous.” Then he looked at his spoon. “Funny, I thought I had one bite left.”

I kept my lips sealed tight as the gelato melted in my mouth.
 

“Oh, well.” He shrugged and threw the cup in a nearby garbage can. He held my hand as we walked through the narrow streets and took in the sights and sounds of Venice.

I took the map from Max’s hand so that I could see what the next flavor would be. Lemon.
Oh, I do love anything lemon.
I sighed.
 

“Here it is.” I pointed out the next shop to him.

Once more he ordered one gelato.
 

“First bite.” He held the gelato out to me.

My eyes widened at the scent of it. I dipped the spoon in and this time took a larger spoonful. As soon as the spoon was in my mouth, Max began to devour what remained. I tried to savor the taste and ignore the fact that not getting more than that was upsetting me. It upset me so much that as Max went to scoop up his final bite, I pretended to bump into him. The cup jumped out of his hand and landed in my own.
 

“Oops! Sorry, Max.”

“It’s okay. Are you okay?”

“I’m fine. Oh, look, there’s that boat again!” I pointed to the water.

He turned to look.

I licked the last bite right out of the gelato cup, then tossed the cup in the trash.
 

“Hey, I had a little left in there.” He frowned.
 

“No, it was empty.”

“Hm.” He eyed me for a moment. “Okay, the next one isn’t far up the road.” He wrapped his arm around my shoulders and we walked together.

I tried to ignore the bit of guilt I felt for lying to him. It was gelato. Drastic measures were required. When we reached the next gelato shop he ordered one cup of strawberry. Once more he offered me the first bite. This time I swirled the spoon around until it was the biggest spoonful I could make.
 

“Oh, honey, that’s a bit much. Want me to take some of that for you?” He swept his spoon in my spoon’s direction.
 

“Back off, Max!” I stuck the spoonful in my mouth before he could get it.

He burst out laughing.
 

“Ah, I see that you are enjoying the gelato.”
 

“Mmm.” I sighed as the strawberry flavor melted on my tongue. By the time I opened my eyes, Max had eaten almost the entire cup.

He locked eyes with me as he swirled his spoon in the last bit. “Do you want some more, Sammy?” He held the spoon up in the air near my lips.
 

“No. I said one spoonful of each. That’s all.” I shook my head.

He moved the spoon back and forth. I followed it with my eyes. He laughed again.
 

“Alright—going once, going twice.” He opened his mouth.

I lunged forward and ate the last bite off of his spoon before it could reach his mouth. “I knew it!” He grinned at me. “You’ve been stealing my gelato, haven’t you?”
 

“Maybe…” I savored the last bit of gelato.
 

“You had me thinking I was nuts. Want me to go get you another one?”
 

“No, thanks. I’m fine.”
 

“If you say so. It’s way past lunch. There’s a pizza restaurant. Shall we give it a shot?”
 

“When in Italy…” I grinned.

Chapter 26

While Max ordered the pizza, I thought about the book signing the next day. Max requested that the day just be about us, but the pressure was still distracting me. I did feel that I was expected to perform and to look a certain way. I didn’t want to disappoint the people who supported me. I nibbled on my slice of pizza and continued to think about it.
 

“Sammy, what’s on your mind? Aren’t you hungry? We’ve been walking all day.”

“Oh, yes I am.” I took a bite and sat back in my chair. “Oh, this is so good!” The pizza was better than any pizza I’d ever tasted.

Max continued to study me. “So what’s up? What are you lost in thought about?”

“You said no business talk, remember?”

“Well, it doesn’t really work if all you’re doing is thinking about it.” He smiled and took my hand. “It’s okay. I always want to hear what’s on your mind.”

“I don’t know, I guess I’m feeling a little stuck. Like I can’t quite figure out why, but this book signing tomorrow seems like the last thing I want to do.”

“Really?” He lifted an eyebrow. “That’s not like you.”
 

“I know.” I sighed and glanced at my watch.
 

“Why are you looking at your watch? Do you have an appointment today?”

“No. I guess I’m a little obsessed with keeping track of time right now.”
 

“Hm, that’s not like you either.”

I met his eyes across the table. “You’re right, it’s not.”
 

“Well, lately it has been.” He tugged at my watchband. “It seems you’re always checking the time.”

“I never feel like there’s enough time.” I frowned. All of a sudden it made sense. “That’s it, Max! That’s what’s wrong. I’ve been so worried about being at the right places at the right time that I’ve forgotten how to just be in the moment.”
 

“That makes sense.” He nodded. “We’ve been doing a lot of rushing and traveling.” He hesitated and looked down at his slice of pizza.
 

“What is it, Max?”
 

“I don’t want to fight.” He looked across the table at me.
 

“I’m open to hearing what you have to say.” I gave his hand a light pat.
 

“Well, to be honest, I was a little upset that you went to the meditation this morning.”

“You were? Why?” I frowned.
 

“Because instead of getting the sleep you needed so that you could enjoy our day together, you pushed yourself again—to do something else. I know meditation is important to you, but it seems to me that if you’d let yourself sleep a little longer, you’d feel better for just getting the rest you need. It’s like you’re always afraid of missing out on something—but that fear is keeping you from experiencing anything fully.” He shrugged. “I could be wrong. But I guess that’s what was getting under my skin.”

“Max, you know me so well. That’s exactly what I was doing. From here on out, I’m in the moment.” I smiled as I finished my slice of pizza. “And when we get to the next gelato stop, we’re ordering two!”
 

“Good, that means no more stealing?” He wagged his finger at me playfully.
 

“I can’t promise you that. But I’ll try.” I grinned.
 

We spent the rest of the day sharing moments—from stealing gelato from one another to taking one last ride on the gondola. When the stars came out above the city, I experienced it with Max’s arm around me. It was a magical moment that might have been sacrificed if I hadn’t taken the time to enjoy it.

When I woke up the next morning, my mind was filled with the memories of the day before. Although Max and I had talked it out, his words still impacted me. I wasn’t taking the time to live. I wasn’t participating in the things that mattered to me. I’d given in to the rush and pressure of pleasing others, all while leaving my own desires far behind. Sometimes that even seemed to
 
include Max these days.

I looked over at him as he snored in his sleep. Even that was adorable. With a light touch I trailed my fingertips along his shoulder and down over his arm. I hadn’t touched him so gently in quite some time. Max, my husband. The thought still made my body buzz with excitement. I snuggled closer to him and took the time to enjoy being near him.

After a few minutes my cell phone began to ring. I would have ignored it, but I didn’t want it to wake Max. I grabbed it and saw that it was Isabella.
 

“Hello?” I slipped out of bed and walked into the living room.
 

“Hi, Samantha, I hope it’s not too early. I just wanted to go over a few things with you.”
 

“Sure.”

“At the book signing we have time for a longer read. I’m hoping that you might be able to select a passage. If not, I can pick one out for you. I thought you would know better than me what would be best.”
 

“Sure, I’ll look through it.” I sighed.
 

“Is something wrong?”

“I don’t know exactly. I feel like I’m always reading to my fans. But they’ve already read my book, so why do they need to hear it again?”

“I think that some people just like to hear it in person. It’s like seeing the author in action. Also, there may be people there that haven’t read your book yet, and they will because of what they hear.”

“I know, but doesn’t it seem so routine to you?”

“I guess it’s how we always do it.”
 

“Would you be opposed to me getting a little creative at this book signing?”
 

“Like finger-paints creative or clothing optional creative?”
 

I laughed. “Don’t worry, clothes will be required. I have an idea, but I have to make a few calls before I can know if it’s a possibility. I’ll call you back once I find out.”
 

“Okay, that’s fine, but the signing is at two, so make sure that you get back to me early enough so that I can plan.”

“I will. I promise, Isabella.”

Chapter 27

I hung up with Isabella, then dialed Daniella’s number. With the phone tucked against my shoulder, I opened the small refrigerator and pulled out the ingredients I’d purchased the night before. As I waited for Daniella to answer I began to prepare Max’s favorite omelette—eggs, cheese, bacon, and black olives. It wasn’t the healthiest breakfast, but I knew it was something he’d enjoy waking up to.
 

“Hello? This is Daniella.”

“Hi, Daniella, it’s Samantha. You helped me with the dress for Alistair’s show?”

“Oh yes, of course. I remember you, Samantha. I heard the show turned out great.”

“Ah yes, the evening show did.” I laughed a little. “Anyway, I wondered if you might be interested in helping me out with something.”

“What is it?”

“Well, I’d like to do something a little different at my next book signing, which happens to be this afternoon. If it’s too short notice, I understand. I’d like for you to bring some of your designs and let some of my fans put on a bit of a fashion show. What do you think?”

“That is very short notice. But it would be great publicity for me. What kind of models will you be using?”
 

“No certain kind. Just an assortment of shapes and sizes. I’d like to see if Sue would be willing to participate.”

“I can give her a call for you. I don’t know if she’ll go for it, though.”
 

“I hope she will. See what you can do.”
 

“Absolutely. I think it’s a great idea, Samantha. I’ll call you back after I talk to Sue.”
 

“Thanks, Daniella.” I smiled and hung up the phone.

I flipped Max’s omelette onto a plate and started to pick the plate up.
 

“Is that for me?” Max’s voice drifted along right beside my ear. He’d crept up behind me while I was on the phone.

I jumped with surprise and the omelette went flying up into the air.
 

“Max!”
 

“I’ve got it, I’ve got it!” He grabbed the plate from me and ducked under the omelette. It landed with a splat on the plate. “See?” He lifted it up and grinned.
 

“You’re lucky.” I laughed. “Don’t sneak up on people!”
 

“I don’t sneak up on people—just you.” He kissed the side of my neck. “Thank you for this. The smell woke me up. It’s been awhile since I’ve had one.”
 

“Enjoy it, Max. I want you to know how much I appreciate you. I’ll get you some juice to go with it.”
 

“I know, Sammy.” He leaned in for a quick kiss before he released me.

As he settled at the table, I grabbed one of the blueberry muffins that were leftover. My cell phone rang before I could even sit down.
 

“Hi, Daniella, did you reach Sue?”
 

“Yes, I did, and she said she’s willing to participate. I’ll bring a wide range of sizes. I’m pretty excited!”
 

“Me too!” I smiled as I hung up the phone.
 

“What is it?” Max looked over at me. “I haven’t seen that glow in your eyes in some time.”
 

“I might have something up my sleeve.” I grinned.
 

“Are you going to share?” He quirked an eyebrow.