Written in the Stars (16 page)

“The moon it is.” I rested my head back on his shoulder. “Geoff?”

“Yeah?”

“Thanks for not giving up on me.” I said in just above a whisper.

“Never going to happen.” he replied sweetly.

It wasn’t long before I felt the heaviness in eyes. I wasn’t ready to fall asleep. I wasn’t ready to wake up and realize this had all just been a dream.

My eyes fluttered opened to the sun shining into them and I realized I was still lying in the exactly same spot in which I had fallen asleep, in Geoff’s arms.

“There you are.” Geoff smiled down at me.

“How long have you been awake?”

“Just a little while.”

“A little while, like in a few minutes?” I asked.

“More like an hour,” he replied.

“Why didn’t you wake me?”

“I was being selfish.” He smiled.

“How were you being selfish?”

“I wanted to keep you in my arms as long as I could,” he replied, making me blush.

“That is very selfish of you.” I snuggled deeper into his chest. “I can’t believe we stayed out all night.” The words I had just said registered in my head. “We stayed out all night.” I jumped up.

“Is that a problem?” He sat up.

“A huge problem. Nonna is probably going out of her mind, looking for me.”

“I took care of it.” He pulled me back down.

“How?”

“Erin slept in your bed,” he said.

“Great, except Nonna isn’t stupid enough to fall for that.” I started gathering up everything. “If she finds out that we lied, and I stayed out all night with you, she’ll never let me see you again.”

“If we hurry, maybe we won’t get caught.” He helped me pack up everything.

It didn’t take us long to shove everything back into his bags and start heading back. It was definitely a different kind of walk when it was light and you could see where you were going and it wasn’t nearly as far as I thought it was last night.

“Before we go our separate ways, I have something to tell you,” he said when we reached the stairs to my balcony.

“That is not a very promising way to start a conversation,” I said.

“I know, and I wanted to tell you sooner, but I didn’t want to ruin last night.”

“Should I be worried?”

“No.” He shook his head. “I’m heading back to the States tonight for some promotional work.”

“Okay.”

“I’ll be gone this whole week,” he said.

“Okay.”

“You’re really okay with that?” He looked surprised.

“Why wouldn’t I be?” I shrugged. “I mean, I’m going to miss you
a lot,
but this is what you do for a living.”

“I just hate that I have to leave when we have so little time left here.”

“I know; so do I.” I grabbed his hand. “But starting tonight, I have a feeling Erin and Mario will keep me so busy, I’ll barely have time to breathe.”

“What’s tonight?”

“We’re going to Mario’s club,” I replied. “
Esclusivo.
He opened it about a year ago and it’s all I’ve been hearing about, so being that I am his cousin, I should at least check it out.”

“And you’re going tonight?”

“At least that’s what I was told. I was going to ask you to go, but you’re leaving,” I replied.

“Maybe next time,” he said with a fake smile.

“Will I see you before you leave?”

“I don’t think so.”

“So, then I guess this is goodbye?”

“No, this definitely is not goodbye.” He looked intently at me. “
This is until we’re together again.” He pulled me into him.

I held my breath as I watched his lips inch closer to mine, and kept holding it while he kissed me, since I was afraid of my breath killing him. 

“So then I’ll see you when I see you?” I whispered fervently.

“You’ll see me Saturday.”

“Saturday,” I breathed. 

He kissed me one last time before disappearing around the house. A week without Geoff was going to be heart wrenching, throwing up because I missed him so much, but I couldn’t let him know that. I was just going to have to find a way of keeping myself busy, and my thoughts occupied while he was gone.

“I’m back.” I woke up Erin when I climbed into the bed next to her.

“It’s about time.” She rubbed her eyes. “I’m pretty sure
Nonna knows something, because she kept coming in and checking on you, well, me, throughout the night.”

“She probably does.” I lay next to her. “Thank you for covering for me.”

“Tell me everything, and don’t leave anything out.” She smiled.

“A girl never kisses and tells.”

“HE KISSED YOU!” she screamed.

“Sshh, you’ll wake up
Nonna.”

“She’s already awake. You missed her by a few minutes.” She sat up. “I can’t believe my best friend is dating Geoff Mann.” She sighed.

“I’m dating Geoff Mann.” My chest tightened up with fear.

“Sophie, are you okay?”

“I’m dating Geoff Mann.” I looked at her.

“I know.”

“Erin, I’m dating Geoff Mann.” I started hyperventilating.

“I’m guessing you just realized who you’re dating.”

“Do you know what this means?” I looked at her.

“That all your dreams actually came true?”

“I’m dating one of the most desirable men on the planet.”

“And?”

“And, my face will eventually be plastered on magazines, and my life will be ripped apart by people who love nothing more than to gossip and lie.”

“How do you it?” she asked.

“Do what?”

“How do you turn something this amazing into not amazing?”

“I didn’t.”

“Yeah Sophie, you did. For once, just let yourself be happy, and enjoy the fact that Geoff Mann is in love with you!” she snapped.

“You’re right.”

“I’m what?” She sounded surprised.

“You’re right. I’m done living in the shadows. It’s time to shine.” I smiled at her.

“I have the perfect place for you to start shining.” She sat next to me. “In Venice, while we’re shopping for the perfect outfit for Mario’s club tonight.” Her phone rang. “Speak of the sexy little devil. I was just talking about you,” she answered. “Oh, okay…no, that’s fine…okay. I’ll see you in a week.” She
hung up. “That was Mario. He’s going with Geoff to the States, and won’t be back until Friday.” She slumped into the nearest chair.

“So no club?”

“Not tonight. He said we’ll all go next Saturday after they return.”

Maybe it was just me being a girl and making something out of nothing, but it seemed very ironic that after mentioning to Geoff that we were going to Mario’s club, that he would invite Mario to join him, and we’d go to the club when they got back.

“He wouldn’t do that,” I mumbled.

“Who wouldn’t do what?” Erin asked.

“What?”

“
I really wanted to go shopping.” She slumped back into the bed.

“We can still go shopping.” She perked up. “But, I was thinking more of Paris since we’ve already been to Venice.”

“Paris?” Her eyes brightened.

“Yes, Paris.”

“Shopping in Paris is every girl’s dream.” She drifted off to her happy place.

“So, is that a ‘yes’?”

“Duh! I just need an hour to pack.” She jumped up and ran to her room.

“I’ll check the train schedule after making s
ure everything is okay with Nonna,” I yelled to her.

“We’re going to Paris!” she said giddily.

“Erin, keep in mind we’re going shopping, so pack light,” I told her.

“I’m sorry, pack what?” She gawked at me. “Light is something that I turn on to see in the dark, not
for when I pack.”

“I’ll pack light for the both of us,” I said and then went and found
Nonna.

It took longer than I expected to smooth things out with
Nonna, and after almost thirty minutes of convincing her that nothing happened between Geoff and me, I had finally got her blessing for Paris. 

A few hours later, Erin and I boarded a train for Paris. The train barely started moving when Erin pulled out her map.

“Oh no, you’re seriously not going to map out this trip.” I rolled my eyes.

“Just the best places to shop.”

“I’ve never been to Paris, so I have no idea,” I said.

“That’s why I’m going to ask people on the train. How do you say ‘shopping’ in French?”

“I don’t speak French.”

“Then how did you I know I was saying ‘hello’ in French and not Italian at the airport.”

“Because everyone knows ‘
bonjour’
is French,” I said.

“I didn’t,” she snapped. “Do you have a translation book or something?”

“Not on me.”

“Great. How am I going to know who speaks English?”

“By asking them if they speak English.”

“How can I ask them, if I don’t know how to ask them in French?” She looked at me as if I was stupid.

“If you ask them in English, and they understand you, then it’s a good chance they speak English.”

“Oh, I never thought about that.” She grabbed her map. “I’ll be back.”

My message alert went off on my phone for the first time the whole summer. I tore everything out of my bag only to find my phone in the front pocket where it belonged.

“
Hi
.
”
I smiled when I saw a message from Geoff.

Hi.

I miss you already,
he replied a few seconds later.

Me 2, where are you?

On the plane, waiting to take off, you?

Just boarded a train for Paris.

You’re going to Paris?

Yep. Erin was depressed since you stole Mario from her, so I had to cheer her up.

And you chose Paris to do it?

I’ve never been to Paris, so why not?

Promise me you’ll be careful.

Always
.


Where are you staying?

Not sure yet.

I’ll take care of it for you.

No, don’t. We’ll be fine.

I waited almost ten
minutes for his next reply.

I made reservations at W Paris-Opera. It located in one of the best shopping districts and they know me very well there.

What am I supposed to say to this?

Thank you
!
I smiled at his response.

Thank you
!

Have fun. See you soon.

It’s a week of shopping, but I’ll try
.

“Okay, so from the two people who answered me, Boulevard Haussmann has a lot of stores.” Erin sat next to me.

“I hope that’s close to the W Paris-Opera Hotel, because Geoff just booked us a room there.”

“Are you kidding me?” She got excited. “I hope it’s the best room in the house, and we get treated like royalty.”

“Or, we can just be thankful that he got us a room.”

“Yeah, that too.” She smiled.

Not only did Geoff book us a room, but he also had a driver waiting for us when we arrived.

“Sophie, look! That man is holding up a sign with our names on it.” Erin pointed to a man wearing a black suit, and like she said, holding a sign with our names.

“Hi, I’m Erin and this is Sophie,” Erin told him.

“
Bonjour
, I Victor, your personal driver while you are visit us,” he said with a thick French accent.

“Our own personal driver. I love Geoff.” Erin smiled.

Erin’s wish came true. Geoff made sure we stayed in the most exclusive room the hotel had to offer, which I was told just happened to be the exact room he always requested for himself. 

“Oh yeah, I could get used to this.” Erin threw herself on the couch. “Look at this place. It’s like a palace.”

“It’s nice.” I looked around.

“It’s more than nice, Sophie. It’s out-of-this-world amazing.”

“Okay, it’s amazing. Are we going to sit in here the whole week, or are we going to experience Paris?” I asked.

“We are definitely going to experience everything Paris has to offer.” She jumped up and headed to the bathroom.

“The exit is this way.”

“I need to change into Paris attire,” she replied.

“Great; I’ll just take a nap,” I mumbled.

It was amazing how an hour-long nap could revive someone enough to walk the streets of Paris, and visit at least twenty shops along the way. What was even more amazing was how the perfect guy could come along and make you see life through different eyes, and have you doing crazy things like trying on clothes you would have never even looked at, or wish you had enough money to buy the perfect dress to wear for your perfect guy.

“You have good taste.” Erin joined me in staring at a long, yellow, satin formal dress that was just simple enough for me to wear.

“It isn’t me.”

“Yes, it is. Come on; let’s try it on.” She grabbed my hand.

“Why? I would never wear it even if I could afford to buy it.”

“This is something the girlfriend of Geoff Mann needs to be wearing,” she said.

“That’s not information I want anyone to know and, if it was, I still can’t afford it.”

“Then I’ll help you buy it.” She pulled me into the store.

“I’m not trying it on, Erin.” I got embarrassed when the store clerks looked at me like I was some kind of plague.

“Then I will for you.” She grabbed the dress and disappeared into the back of the store, only to emerge ten minutes later. “What do you think?”

“I think you look beautiful in a five-thousand-dollar dress,” I said with envy. I would never be able to do the dress justice the way she was.

“I think it covers too much of my body.”

“Erin, there’s no back to the dress and you can see the top of your butt,” I pointed out.

“Wow, you can see my butt.” She looked at herself in the mirror. “But it’s not me. You try it on.”

“No, let’s just get out of here.” I hated being watched.

“Fine, but I’m done shopping for the day. Let’s go have some extravagant French cuisine.”

“Did I just hear you say that you’re done shopping?”

“Yes, it only happens once in a blue moon, so don’t get used to it.” She headed back to the changing room.

“Okay, but there’s one thing I have to do before we leave Paris.” I followed her.

“The top of the Eiffel Tower.”

“Something you will have to do alone.” I told her.

“Come on Sophie, please just this once step out of your comfort zone and face your fears.” She begged.

“That’s all I’ve been doing since we arrived in Italy.”

“Great, then you should have no problem facing your fear of heights.” She smiled.

“Why not?” I agreed against my better judgment.

“Yea, let’s go.”

I was proud that I was actually able to make it to the top of the Eiffel Tower, even if I did keep my back to a wall, and my eyes shut the whole time we were at the top.

“That was so much fun.” Erin said.

“A blast.”

“I’m so proud of you.” She entwined her arm into mine. “How does it feel having the power to face your fears, even though you barely moved away from the exit?”

“Terrifying.”

“I was thinking more like empowering.” She smiled.

“Whatever it was, it will never happen again.”

“Sure it will.”

My week with Erin was filled with moments
I wished never had to end. From being treated like celebrities at the hotel, and having our own personal driver at our disposal, there was not much that could compare, and I would never admit to her, but I’d never had so much fun shopping in my life. Probably because I didn’t care about clothes until now, but either way, this was an experience neither of us would ever forget. However, the best part of the week was waiting for us when we got off the train.

“Sophie, look! There are two very handsome men over there, holding up signs with our names.” Erin smiled.

“I see that.” I smiled.

“Hi.” Erin threw herself into Mario’s arms.

“I’m Sophie Watters.” I held out my hand for Geoff to shake, and stumbled forward when he pulled me into a kiss instead. “Someone is going to see us,” I said quietly.

“Yes, but I’m in stealth mode, so they’ll never know it’s me you’re kissing.” His breath sent chills through me when he whispered into my ear.

“What is stealth mode?” I backed up.

“What I’m wearing is my stealth mode.”

“An old baseball hat and Top Gun sunglasses?” I studied him.

“This was my grandpa’s hat, and I love these sunglasses.”

“I’m not saying you don’t look good; I’m just saying we might want to leave before someone recognizes you in stealth mode.”

“You don’t think I look stealthy enough?” he asked.

“No. If I didn’t know it was you, I would still know you.”

“No one has recognized me yet, and I’ve been waiting at least a half hour for you.”

“May I suggest we leave before your luck runs out?” I wrapped my arms around his waist.

“You can suggest anything you want as long as you keep your arms around me.” He kissed me.

“I suggest we leave.”

“Okay then, let’s go.” He smiled.

For the first time, I enjoyed my ride home with Mario and Erin because I had Geoff to keep me company as Erin explained every minute of our week in Paris.

“So I guess I’ll see you tonight?” Geoff wrapped his arms around my waist.

“Don’t take this the wrong way, but do you really think it’s a good idea that you come along?”

“Do you really think I would want you going without me?”

“I don’t want to go without you. It’s just that you are very recognizable and I don’t think I’m ready for the world to know about me.”

“Sophie, I made you a promise that I intend to keep. No one will know about you until you’re ready.”

“I know. It’s just that this is a very public club and I don’t see how that’s possible,” I said.

“I’ve been doing this a long time. You’re just going to have to trust that I won’t let anything happen to you.”

“I do trust you.” I tried not to let him hear the uncertainty in my voice.

“I’ll pick you up at eight.”

“I’ll be here.” I gave him a wry smile.

“I hope so.” He said
and then gave me a very short but sweet kiss, since Nonna was watching.

I tried not to think about what the night was to bring, since there was no way for me to mentally prepare for my first public appearance with Geoff. I knew he promised to keep me a secret, but I wasn’t completely convinced that I was a secret he would be able to keep. I mean, I guessed we could if we stayed away from each other all night, but I had a feeling that wasn’t in Geoff’s plan, and it was definitely something I would have a hard time doing.

“What are you going to wear?” Erin popped her head into my room.

“I’m not sure.” I threw a shirt on my bed. “I think I’m just going to wear jeans and a t-shirt like I normally do.”

“Please tell me you’re joking.” She started pulling out clothes from my closet. “Look at all these cute outfits you got in Paris; why would you wear what you normally wear?”

“I want to be comfortable.”

“You can be comfortable anytime you want, except tonight. Tonight, you need to be a fashion icon.”

“I will never be a fashion icon,” I said.

“Tonight, you will be.” She smiled as she held up the bandanna shirt she brought from home.

“I’m not wearing that.”

“I know; I am.” She smiled. “You’re going to wear this.” She laid a pair of skinny jeans, a white tank top, a black leather coat, a red leather belt with a huge flower in the front of it, and knee-high black boots on my bed.

“Does that even match?” I looked it over.

“Sophie, please don’t talk.” She rolled her eyes. “Just put everything on.”

“Okay.”

Everything she picked, I had bought in Paris. Apparently, nothing I brought from home was worthy enough to wear in her eyes. I was just happy I didn’t have to wear the bandanna for a shirt. 

I looked over myself at least ten times, and did at least five three-sixty turns before she returned, dressed to kill.

“Erin, I swear, if you weren’t my best friend, I would hate you.” I gawked at her perfectly sculpted stomach that her shirt barely covered.

“That’s a horrible thing to say.”

“Seriously, do you ever look bad?” I asked.

“If people don’t remember you, or can live without you, then you’re forgettable and replaceable. I always make sure I’m neither
.” She smiled. “Now let me see you.” She pulled out my tank top, pulled the belt up over it, zipped up my boots all the way, and stood back and smiled. “Wow, you look amazing.”

“Thank you.” I blushed.

“Now let’s do your hair and makeup.”

“As long as you promise it won’t make me itch,” I said.

“I won’t put a lot on.” She grabbed my hand and pulled me to the bathroom.

I watched fearfully as she carefully and very precisely laid out her makeup on the counter before turning to me.

“I’m just going to start with a little cover up,” she started. “Not that you need it; you have perfect skin, I don’t even see one blackhead.”

“That’s because I don’t wear makeup.” 

“This is called mascara.” She held it up for me.

“I know what mascara is.”

“Good, then you know to sit very still while I’m putting it on you.”

“Ouch.” I jumped when she poked me in the eye.

“I’m sorry.” It looked as if she was tearing up.

“I’m the one in pain, so why are you crying?” I asked her.

“It’s just that I haven’t seen you this happy in years and I’ve never seen you look like a real girl.” She wiped a tear away.

“Does your brain actually process the words before they come out of your mouth?” I teased her.

“I’m serious, Sophie.” She sat on the edge of the tub and looked at me. “I like seeing you happy.”

“I like feeling happy.”

“Promise me that no matter what happens tonight, forget that you were ever broken, and you’ll let your heart lead your way.” She gazed up at me.

“Is there something about tonight I need to know about?”

“No.” She shook her head. “Just promise me that tonight you’ll leave the bad behind so the good can come in.”

“So what you’re trying to say is that I need to let go and just have fun.” I was a little confused.

“Something like that,” she said with a halfhearted smile.

“Then, I promise that tonight I’m letting it all go, and I’m going to act as if I’ve never been broken,” I said.

“I love you, Sophie.” She hugged me.

“Are you sure you’re okay?”

“I’ve never been better.” She wiped her eyes one more time. “Okay, let’s beautify you.”

I had to admit, Erin did a great job of making me look like a real girl. I couldn’t help staring at myself, wondering why it took me so long to realize I was actually pretty enough to be a girl. 

“You can do this,” I told the reflection that was looking back at me.

My heart skipped a beat when I heard Geoff’s laughter coming from downstairs. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath before I descended down the stairs.

“Wow.” Geoff was the first one who saw me. “You’re breathtaking.” He helped me down the last few stairs.

“Thanks.” I couldn’t help blushing when I saw the jaw-dropping look on Mario’s face. “What?”

“You’re not a little girl anymore,” Mario replied.

“Yeah, I know. I couldn’t stop the whole growing up process,” I teased him.