by Lise Gold
“Of course there is. You need to surround yourself with things that make you happy and feel at home, and it’s not like any of it is expensive.” Nadine inspected the rug. “That stain will come out and it will look great with your furniture.” She scrolled through her phone and smiled. “And I think I’ve got someone who can help with the transportation, so pick whatever you want.”
“Really? You have a friend with a van?”
“Something like that.” Nadine laughed. “The milkman. He only works in the mornings and uses his van to make some extra cash in the afternoon. I always call him when I have something big that needs transporting, and if you pay him a little extra, he’ll bring his son and they’ll carry it upstairs for you. I’ll text him now.”
Rome laughed. “That’s great. I that case, maybe you can help me find something for my walls, too. The apartment is wonderful, but very minimalistic and I feel like it needs an injection of color.”
“I agree with you, it needs a bit of soul.” They continued their scavenger hunt, going through every stall at the outdoor market that was bustling with locals, of which most of them looked like they were just there to socialize, sitting on the merchandise while talking over coffee and cigarettes. Nadine found some copper candlesticks and a big vase for Rome too, and made a mental note to buy her a bunch of red roses. Was that too much? Going from casual to red roses? If it was confusing before, it was even more confusing now. They hadn’t seen each other since they’d left the police station as Rome had been busy liaising with Michael, her lawyer, but they had spoken on the phone and messaged back and forth. Their exchanges had been serious, with Rome informing her about the selection of Italian law firms Michael had recommended to her, and so there had been no flirtations from either side. She felt the pull though, and she saw the desire in Rome’s eyes too, every time she glanced at her. Nadine felt her heart beat violently when Rome casually reached for her hand as she pointed to a rattan daybed.
“How about that for my balcony?”
“It’s nice. I think it will look great.” Nadine hoped Rome couldn’t see how flustered she felt. She’d never had a problem with women, and she’d certainly never had a problem flirting with Rome before, but now she just didn’t know how to act anymore. Should she have kissed her when she picked her up? She’d wanted to, but by the time Rome got on the back of her scooter, it had been too late.
“Hey, are you okay?” Rome turned to her and took her other hand, a hint of insecurity flashing across her features.
“Uh-huh.” Nadine hated the tremble in her own voice.
“No, you’re not.” Rome pulled her toward a bench and sat down, then patted the space next to her. “You’ve been acting strange all morning, like you don’t know what to do with yourself.” She studied Nadine as she slumped down. “And since you’re usually this overly confident and charming Casanova-type, I get the feeling there’s something you’re not telling me.”
Nadine pursed her lips and stared at her like a deer caught in the headlights. She was so aware of her body and her hands, and the new sensation made her feel clumsy. “I… I don’t know,” she stammered, picking at a fingernail. “I guess I just don’t know how to behave around you anymore.”
“Why?”
“Because I don’t know what’s going on between us. I mean, I said I wouldn’t sleep with anyone else, there’s this crazy attraction between us and I deeply care about you… And I know you like me too… So, is this a date?”
Rome noticeably relaxed as she shot her an endearing smile and put a hand on her thigh. “If it’s a date, it’s the best date I’ve ever had.”
Nadine smiled too. “Really? The flea market? Then your past dates must have been pretty shitty.”
“Yeah, you could say that.” Rome turned and draped an arm over the bench behind Nadine. “But I’d have a good time with you anywhere.” She took a deep breath, looking tense as she blurted out the question that had clearly been on her mind, too. “So, are we dating? Because I’d like to date you.”
“I’d like to date you, too.” Nadine ran a hand through Rome’s hair, breaking the awkwardness. “I’m just worried because we’re both terrible dating material and I don’t want you to get hurt.”
Rome tilted her head, leaning into her touch. “Look, I understand this is new and confusing. It is for me, too. But just be yourself, do what feels natural. If it doesn’t work out, I promise I won’t break. And if I panic…” She shrugged. “Well, I’ll try not to, because I don’t want to hurt you either.”
“It sounds like a recipe for disaster.” Nadine couldn’t help but laugh, because the two of them together really were a mess when it came to relationships.
“True,” Rome agreed. “So let’s just take it one day at a time and keep in mind that we’re friends first.” She shot Nadine a sexy smile. “And dating isn’t all scary. You know what the best thing is?”
“No, but now I’m eager to find out.” Nadine could see where Rome was heading with this, but she needed to hear it because her body was on fire.
“We can have sex or make out anytime and anywhere we want without having to overthink it. It’s simple, really.”
“Anywhere?” Nadine arched a brow and looked around. “I seriously want to kiss you right now, but I don’t see anyone under the age of sixty here, and I’m not sure how the traditional Roman Catholics wandering around would feel about two women making out in front of them.”
Rome laughed and gave her a quick kiss on her cheek. “Then this will just have to do for now.” She gestured to Nadine’s phone that she was still holding. “So, is the milkman available?”
Nadine grinned sheepishly as she checked her phone. “Yeah. He says we need to take everything we’ve bought to the coffee shop…” She scanned their surroundings, then pointed to a small coffee house at the end of the market. “That would be that one over there. And if we tip the owner, he’ll keep it in the back for the milkman to pick up later this afternoon. He says he can drop it off at your apartment any time after that.”
“That easy, huh? You have amazing contacts.”
“I do.” Nadine stood up and held out her hand. “What do you want to do after we’ve stored your purchases?”
“I don’t know. What do you suggest?”
“Well, since this date is a little unconventional and started out at the flea market, I feel like we need to continue with more totally random activities. How about church? It’s Sunday, so if we hurry, we can make it for mass.”
“Church?” Rome frowned, trying to work out if she was serious. “If you try to convert me it will officially be the most awkward date in history.”
“No, I’m not trying to convert you.” Nadine gave her an amused look. “I actually think you’ll enjoy it.”
“Okay, I’m open to anything.” Rome chuckled. “But we can’t make out in church either.”
“Then we’ll just have to wait.” Nadine winked. “All the best things are worth waiting for.”
33
The basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore was an impressive sight, and Rome stared up at its huge structure while Nadine parked her scooter.
“They have a mass in Latin at ten am every Sunday,” Nadine said as they walked toward the security gates together. “Even if you’re not religious, it’s an incredible experience so I thought you might appreciate it. Bernini is also buried here. You know, the famous Roman sculptor and architect,” she continued. “This is one of the four Papal major basilicas, which means it’s part of the Vatican, even though it’s on Italian grounds, hence the security.” She put her purse through the X-ray machine and walked through the gates, then waited for Rome to follow. “Each year on the 5th of August, white petals fall from the ceiling, to celebrate the Miracle of the Snow, a legend surrounding the miraculous summer snowfall which marked the spot for the foundation of the basilica.”
“That sounds amazing. Have you seen it?”
“Yes. I went last year. It was incredible. Thousands
of people waiting for the petals to come down, everyone praying…” Nadine looked up and Rome followed her gaze toward the bell tower. “This church was built in the 5th century but it’s been altered throughout time, and so it’s got a really interesting mix of styles. It’s got eighteenth century exterior, a medieval bell tower, the chapels and domes are Baroque, the ceiling decorations are Renaissance, and there are 5th century mosaics in the triumphal arch and nave.” She turned to Rome and winced. “I’m sorry, am I boring you?”
Rome shook her head and smiled. “You couldn’t bore me if you tried.”
“Good. Anyway, the main reason why I brought you here today is the choir.” Nadine opened the huge door and they quietly squeezed through as the service had already started.
Goose bumps appeared on Rome’s arms as soon as she walked in. Perfectly harmonized voices echoed off the high walls and immensely impressive ceiling as the choir sang ‘Gloria in Excelsis’, and incense filled the church with a pungent, sweet smell.
Nadine dipped three fingers in the marble basin by the door and made a cross before walking to the back of the main, wide nave—an enormous and impressive space supported by columns on either side. Carried away by all the glorious beauty surrounding her, Rome looked at the basin and contemplated doing the same, then shook her head and rolled her eyes. She was many things, but hypocritical wasn’t one of them, and she wasn’t going to start now.
Her eyes were drawn toward the apse, where a high altar stood, framed by colorful mosaics in the arch behind it. Chairs were placed all the way to the front of the aisle, where cardinals and bishops were seated among locals, tourists and pilgrims. The roof was adorned with gilded ornaments and bright oil paintings of angels, and there was so much to see that she could have spent days taking in the wonder of it all.
She sat down next to Nadine on one of the pews in the back and when the male choir started singing louder, she reached for her hand and squeezed it, genuinely moved by the harmonious, low Gregorian chants. The organ music, the choir and the grandness of the church, filled to the brim with believers was an incredible experience, and she understood why Nadine had taken her here.
As someone who was not religious, it was strange to feel anything at all in a church, but she had to admit it was making her a little emotional as she sat there, listening and taking it all in while holding Nadine’s hand. Even the Latin sermon was impressive, from the brief total silence before, to the deep voice of the bishop that gave her shivers even though she didn’t understand a word of what he was saying. At the end of the mass, the priest, the deacon and the altar boys walked around the church while everyone sang along with the choir, the full sound of the music moving her to tears. The ritual was entirely alien to her, yet somehow comforting, too, and as the voices grew louder, she even found herself humming along.
“Do you believe in anything?” Nadine asked when they were back outside and ordering a coffee from one of the trucks parked on the square in front of the church.
Rome shook her head and shielded her eyes from the bright sun. “Not in anything that hasn’t been proven to exist.”
“Right. Of course not.”
“Hey, what does that mean?” Rome’s eyes widened as she nudged her. “I heard that sarcastic undertone.”
“Okay…” Nadine grinned. “Maybe it was a little sarcastic. What I meant to say is, that your world must be pretty small if you don’t believe in anything at all.”
“My world is fine, thank you very much. It’s exactly the right size for me, which is the span of the Earth, and I’ll even add in the solar system for good measure.” Rome looked up at Nadine and narrowed her eyes. “So are you religious?”
“Not really. I was raised Catholic, but I don’t pray or go to church on a regular basis, apart from when I take Luca. But I do believe there’s more out there, and that gives me comfort.”
“More as in…”
“As in something, anything. The universe, a higher power, other dimensions, other planets with intelligent life forms, the likes of a God or maybe multiple… If you think of the universe, the original matter must have come from somewhere, right? So yeah, I’m spiritual on a lot of levels. I love astrology, as you know, but I also love churches, mosques, temples, and pilgrimage sites. They’re places with a strong energy because people who believe in the same thing come together to focus on that, and I think that’s beautiful.”
“You have a point.” Rome hooked her arm through Nadine’s as they left the scooter by the church and walked downhill to have lunch. “It touched me when we were in there and I saw all those believers and heard the music. When everyone sang along at the end, a part of me wanted to believe too. It must be wonderful to be able to convince yourself there’s something more out there; a God that guides us and makes sure everything will be all right in the end.” She shrugged. “I just can’t go there.”
“Then don’t,” Nadine said, not in the least accusing. “Just know that there are small miracles in everyday life and once you start paying attention, you can’t help but notice them.” She pulled Rome into an alcove when they turned a corner and pushed her against the brick wall as her lips pulled into a smile. “Enough spiritual talk.” She paused, leaning in. “We’re finally alone.”
“Finally.” Rome whispered as Nadine’s lips brushed over hers, desire hanging thick between their shared breath. She’d longed for her like crazy, and not being able to kiss her all morning had been a challenge. Her hands slipped around Nadine’s waist and continued down to her behind, drawing her tight against her. Nadine let out a soft moan, cupping her face as she parted her lips and kissed her hard, letting her know how much she’d longed for this, too. Her hands were firm, her kiss hungry and fueled with need as she pressed her body into Rome’s.
They broke out of the kiss when things started to get too heated for public display, composing themselves and straightening their clothes while they giggled and shot each other longing looks.
“I needed that.” Nadine bit her lip as she looked Rome up and down like she was ready to jump her. “Are you hungry?”
“Can’t you tell?” Rome joked, taking her hand again with a huge grin on her face.
“I can tell all right.” Nadine pointed to an old building where the paint was peeling off. There was a long queue of people waiting for their take-outs and inside it looked packed, too. “But we need to fuel a different kind of hunger first, otherwise I won’t be able to perform.” She waved at a muscular, rugged looking man who was smoking a cigarette outside on the terrace of the worn-out trattoria. “Angelo!”
Rome greeted him too, and when she was face-to-face with him, it finally clicked who he was. “Hey, I’m Rome. Nice to meet you, Angelo. And thank you for your help the other night.”
Angelo shrugged and gave her a small smile. “I didn’t do anything. Nadine was the one who kicked ass, not me, and that man deserved it, he was a pig.” He put an arm around Nadine and gestured for them to sit down at his table.
Nadine’s eyes widened when he took off his shades. His left eye was swollen half-shut, with yellow and black bruising marks around the socket. “Oh my God, did I do that to you?” she asked, slamming a hand in front of her mouth.
“You sure did. Mama didn’t believe me when I told her what had happened, so maybe you could talk to her. She’s convinced I got myself into a drunken fight and refuses to speak to me.”
“I am so, so sorry.” Nadine reached out to touch his face, and he flinched when she traced his eyebrow. “I had no idea I hit you so hard, it was an accident.”
“I know, and it’s fine. I kind of like it; makes me look tough.” He put his shades back on. “You surprised me, skinny girl. Even I got scared when I saw you beating down on him.”
“Yeah, she surprised me too.” Rome sat down on the chair Angelo pulled out for her and studied the man Nadine had told her about. He looked a little rough around the edges—especially with a shiner—but his eyes were friendly and his smile warm. His beanie
seemed misplaced in the heat, but she figured that was part of his style as it matched the torn jeans and ripped T-shirt under the dirty apron.
“I know some people who’d be happy to hire her for muscle jobs,” Angelo joked. “Anyway, it’s great to have you both here. Are you hungry? What do you feel like eating?”
Nadine shrugged and smiled at him. “Whatever you recommend, the food was fantastic the other day so I couldn’t wait to come back. And please join us. Or are you working?”
“I am working, but the chef is back and mama’s still at home, so I’ll have a beer with you before she comes in.” He went inside to order food for them and came back with a bottle of red wine and a beer. “You’re lucky to have a table. It’s busy today as it’s Sunday and the weather is warm.”
“I can see that.” Rome looked through the window, where crowds of locals were gathered around small tables, and more were waiting to be seated. It was quite possibly the most unromantic place anyone had ever taken her but going on the smell, the food would be great, and she felt her stomach rumbling. Everything with Nadine was an adventure, and she was enjoying every second of this strange day in which she got to see parts of Rome she would have never seen if she’d ventured out by herself or with anyone else, for that matter. “Is this your family business?” she asked.
Angelo nodded, tapping his fingers on the table while he studied Rome. “We all do something on the side because we’d kill each other if we worked here full-time together, but yes, this restaurant is the heart of our family. It’s where we eat and drink with our local community, and where we come together when we need each other. The roadworkers’ union meets here once a month too, and we cater for the occasional wedding.” He took a long drink of his beer. “You might be the first non-local to ever sit on that chair. Most tourists feel a little intimidated when they pass.”
“Why is that?” Rome didn’t feel intimidated at all, but perhaps that was because she was with Nadine, who was a local herself.