Love Like That

by Sophie Love

  Cristiano looked at her, silent. He seemed hurt. Crushed, even.

  Keira took a deep breath, trying to steady the thrumming of her heartbeat. “I don’t mean to dampen your spirits,” she said, more softly. “But there is a reality in New York City that we didn’t have to face here.”

  “I know this,” Cristiano said. “I never expected otherwise. But I’m thinking you did? Because when will that not be the case? When will New York City ever be anything other than you working hard and dealing with life? I expected as much. I know it will not be a fantasy. The question is, do you?”

  Keira dropped her eyes to the tabletop. Her fingers played with the cloth. Clearly Cristiano had thought this through. In fact, he’d thought about it more than she had. And he was right. She was resisting him coming into her world and seeing the reality of it. While all they had was Italy, everything was a perfect fairytale. But once home, once life started encroaching upon that, it would all change. It would become real, not just a love story.

  Finally, she looked up at Cristiano, completely shocked by her own thoughts and the words she was about to say.

  “You’re right. I hadn’t thought about the reality, about what things would be like after. I… I’m not sure if I want things to change. I think maybe it would be better if we just kept this as an Italy thing.”

  Cristiano looked pained, like he had been betrayed in the worst imaginable way. “Are you saying that this is it, Keira? That this is the end?”

  She chewed her lip. Her heart was pounding. She felt torn, half of her telling her to take the plunge, the other half telling her not to, to be just a little bit sensible. But she felt like she’d started the wheels in motion already.

  Finally, her whole heart aching with disbelief at what she was doing, she nodded.

  Without another word, Cristiano stood. He threw his napkin down on the table and swirled away, out of the restaurant.

  Keira sunk her head into her hands. Lance had wanted an ending, a conclusion.

  But even she had not seen that one coming.

  CHAPTER THIRTY ONE

  Monday morning arrived with unseasonably hot and oppressive weather.

  Keira packed her things slowly, sadly. Cristiano’s side of the bed was neatly made; he’d not been there to mess up the covers.

  She took her case downstairs to the foyer, realizing it was the first time since her disastrous day with Antonio that she’d be responsible for it again. It felt heavy, like a weight sitting uncomfortably on her shoulders.

  She checked out, then headed into the streets, navigating them alone in search of her bus stop. Unlike the time she’d spent alone in Naples, she didn’t even feel anxious. She was far too unhappy for that.

  Her bus arrived and Keira dragged her heavy suitcase on board. It was rammed with people on their way to work, and they gave her nasty looks as she tried to maneuver her way past them. She knew what they were thinking, she’d thought it enough times herself on the subway in New York City, when tourists got on during rush hour with their bulky bags. She felt uneasy, like she’d outstayed her welcome in Italy.

  There was no spare seat for Keira and she ended up standing most of the way. The bus ride took a long time, frequently becoming stuck in heavy traffic. It was a side of Italy she’d not seen since that first day, and she felt the romance of the place shatter around her. It was another country, after all, filled with people who had jobs to do, taxes and bills to pay, all those mundane, unromantic activities she would soon be returning to in New York City.

  When they finally reached the airport, Keira alighted the bus with her suitcase. Her body was stiff from standing so long, and she realized glumly that things were only going to get worse once she boarded her plane, for she’d be stuck in a cramped seat for eight long hours.

  However, inside the terminal, Keira soon learned that her flight had been delayed.

  Sighing, she found a coffee shop to wait in.

  She checked her emails and found one from Elliot hinting, once again, at some kind of promotion. Keira realized that now he’d told her the truth about Lance’s position at Viatorum, there was indeed a spot above hers in the hierarchy—Joshua’s vacant job. Keira couldn’t imagine being in that role at the magazine. It felt like a huge leap for her. And especially since not that long ago she wasn’t even sure if she’d have a job to return to at all. But she was excited by the prospect and curious as to what the future might hold for her career. It was all she had, after all, now that she’d lost yet another lover.

  As she waited out the hour before her plane boarding was to be called, Keira idly flicked through her phone. She noticed that Shane had replied to her message asking him not to be in touch with her. She sighed and read his response. In it, he said he’d made a mistake by breaking it off with her, that he’d acted rashly, reacting without thinking because of the fear of his father’s ailing health.

  As she read it, something suddenly clicked into place in her mind. Not about her and Shane, but her and Cristiano.

  She’d done the same, acted rashly, quickly, taking action out of fear rather than anything else. Like Shane, if she left things the way they were with Cristiano she was going to live to regret it. She didn’t want to be in the same position as Shane in a few weeks’ time, texting her lost love, plagued with regret over her actions.

  With a sudden burst of clarity, Keira scrolled through her contacts and dialed Cristiano.

  She listened to the sound of the ringing, her heart racing with anticipation. When he answered, Cristiano’s voice was low and sullen, but it was her Cristiano, and hearing him again made her whole body soar with relief. She hadn’t been sure that she’d ever hear his voice again.

  “I was scared,” she blurted out immediately.

  “What are you talking about, Keira?” Cristiano said. His own tone was heavy, like a man carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders.

  “Scared about us,” she said. “I froze. Panicked. I forgot that I was on a journey with you.”

  There was a pause. Then Cristiano cleared his throat.

  “What are you saying?” he said, morosely.

  “I’m saying come with me!” Keira cried. “I was acting like an idiot. I want you to come to New York City, meet my sister and mom. Your family cared for me so well and it would mean the world to me if you got to meet mine.”

  Cristiano didn’t even pretend to play it cool. She could hear from his voice that her admission had lifted his spirits.

  “Really?” he gasped, sounding thrilled and excited.

  “Definitely!” she cried.

  “Are you at the airport now?” he asked.

  Keira knew that he knew she was. He had their itinerary memorized, after all. That’s how he’d found her at the Bridge of Gold.

  “You know I am.” She checked her watch. “And my flight’s been delayed. It’s not for another hour.”

  “You want me to come now?” he said, sounding both surprised and exhilarated in equal parts.

  “Why not?” Keira exclaimed. “It’s perfect timing. Your family welcomed me with open arms on All Souls’ Day. Now it’s my turn to do the same with you and Thanksgiving.”

  “Turkey,” Cristiano replied. “That’s all I know of Thanksgiving.”

  Keira laughed. “It’s a good start! So, what do you say?”

  She listened with anticipation to the brief moment of hesitation on the other end of the line. Then Cristiano spoke the words she’d been desperate to hear.

  “Of course. Anything for you, my Keira.”

  She ended the call and clutched her cell phone to her chest, relieved, empowered.

  In her mind, she imagined Cristiano on his scooter, racing through the Italian countryside, up and down the mountains, swerving around the steep bends on the roads. With every moment that passed she became more and more excited to see him.

  Her flight gate was announced, but Keira stayed put. There was no way she was getting on that flight without Cristiano.

>   She was so resolved, so committed, that when ten minutes passed, and another without Cristiano appearing, until finally the gate closed for her flight, still she did not move. Missing this flight was a sacrifice she was willing to make, even if another one did not come for days.

  “Keira!”

  She heard his voice calling to her. Not across a piazza this time, nor from the other end of the Bridge of Gold, but from an airport lounge where the next step of their journey was about to begin.

  Her heart leapt into her throat and she spun on the spot. Before, she’d made Cristiano do the chasing. Not this time. This time she raced across the length of the airport. When she reached him, she threw herself into his arms.

  Cristiano lifted her clean off her feet and spun her around. As the world whirled past, Keira could see people watching. But for the first time she didn’t care about the scene he was making. She wanted the whole world to see their love.

  Finally, Cristiano set her down on her feet and pressed a passionate kiss against her lips. Keira felt so at peace in his arms, like she was exactly where she was supposed to be.

  Finally, she drew back and gazed up into his dark eyes.

  “My Keira,” he said.

  “My Cristiano,” she replied.

  She moved back, at last, and took in the sight of him. He had just a small leather satchel with him. No coat, scarf, or sweater.

  “You’re going to freeze in New York City,” she said, laughing. “Let’s pick you up some clothes. We have many hours before the next flight anyway. Who knows how many?”

  “In which case,” Cristiano said, “I think we ought to have another date.”

  Keira laughed. “A date at the airport?”

  Cristiano gestured to a restaurant. It wasn’t their usual caliber but Keira enjoyed his carefree attitude. Even a cheap meal with Cristiano as company would be amazing.

  “Then after our meal, we can get gelatos,” he added, gesturing to a small booth selling ice cream. “And finally, we can retire to this delightful pub for Limoncellos.”

  Keira snuggled into Cristiano’s side. Even in a not so glamorous airport he was able to make things special for her. She felt so relieved and grateful that he was here, and that he had accepted her apology.

  The conclusion to their story had not yet arrived. There was more to come for them. Keira had no way of knowing how many more chapters would exist in their love story, but she was eager to find out.

  She was ready to take this journey with Cristiano and see where it would lead them.

  And to let the conclusion write itself.

  NOW AVAILABLE!

  LOVE LIKE OURS

  (The Romance Chronicles—Book 3)

  “LOVE LIKE THIS creates a world of emotions and turmoil, describing superbly the mind of a young lady (Keira) and her struggles to balance her social life and her career. Sophie Love is a natural storyteller. LOVE LIKE THIS is very well written and edited, and I highly recommend it to the permanent library of all readers that appreciate a romance that can be savored during a weekend.”

  --Books and Movie Reviews (Roberto Mattos)

  LOVE LIKE OURS (The Romance Chronicles—Book #3) is book #3 in a new romance series by #1 bestselling author Sophie Love. The series begins with LOVE LIKE THIS (Book #1), a free download!

  Keira Swanson, 28, returns to New York City, this time with Cristiano in tow. Having him in New York, and having him meet her family, is culture shock for them both.

  Keira is soon assigned a new article, her most important yet: a 30 day trip to Paris—with Cristiano in tow. Her assignment: to find out if their love can last in a foreign country, on new ground for them both.

  As Keira and Cristiano take the romantic trip of a lifetime to Paris, they find their love tested in unexpected ways. When a surprise twist comes their way, everything changes.

  Can their love withstand it?

  A whirlwind romantic comedy that is as profound as it is funny, LOVE LIKE OURS is book #3 in a dazzling new romance series that will make you laugh, cry, and will keep you turning pages late into the night—and will make you fall in love with romance all over again.

  Book #4 is also now available!

  “Sophie Love's ability to impart magic to her readers is exquisitely wrought in powerfully evocative phrases and descriptions….[This is] the perfect romance or beach read, with a difference: its enthusiasm and beautiful descriptions offer an unexpected attention to the complexity of not just evolving love, but evolving psyches. It's a delightful recommendation for romance readers looking for a touch more complexity from their romance reads.”

  --Midwest Book Review (Diane Donovan re: For Now and Forever)

  LOVE LIKE OURS

  (The Romance Chronicles—Book 3)

  Sophie Love

  #1 bestselling author Sophie Love is author of the romantic comedy series, THE INN AT SUNSET HARBOR, which includes eight books, and which begins with FOR NOW AND FOREVER (THE INN AT SUNSET HARBOR—BOOK 1)—a free download on Kobo!

  Sophie Love is also the author of the debut romantic comedy series, THE ROMANCE CHRONICLES, which begins with LOVE LIKE THIS (THE ROMANCE CHRONICLES—BOOK 1).

  Sophie would love to hear from you, so please visit www.sophieloveauthor.com to email her, to join the mailing list, to receive free ebooks, to hear the latest news, and to stay in touch!

  BOOKS BY SOPHIE LOVE

  THE INN AT SUNSET HARBOR

  FOR NOW AND FOREVER (Book #1)

  FOREVER AND FOR ALWAYS (Book #2)

  FOREVER, WITH YOU (Book #3)

  IF ONLY FOREVER (Book #4)

  FOREVER AND A DAY (Book #5)

  FOREVER, PLUS ONE (Book #6)

  FOR YOU, FOREVER (Book #7)

  CHRISTMAS FOREVER (Book #8)

  THE ROMANCE CHRONICLES

  LOVE LIKE THIS (Book #1)

  LOVE LIKE THAT (Book #2)

  LOVE LIKE OURS (Book #3)

  LOVE LIKE THEIRS (Book #4)