“Fine, I’ll get itforyou.”
“What? I can’t let youdothat.”
“I’m doing it anyway. Nothing you can do about it.” He grinned his lazy smile and marched over to one of the sales clerks with the necklaceinhand.
Anika rushed after him. “Reed, stop,really.”
“I’ll take this,” he said, completelyignoringher.
The woman smiled and rang up the sale while Anika hung back, unsure of what to do or say. She loved the necklace but didn’t think Reed should buy itforher.
“Here you go. Your necklace and a certificate of authenticity from the factory.” Reed handed her a little bag with the boxedjewelry.
“I don’t know whattosay.”
“Just saythanks.”
“Thanks,” Anika saidquietly.
“Come on, I’m starving. Let’s see if we can find something to eat at one of thecafes.”
They walked out of the store and into thestreet.
“Why’d you do that?” Anika asked after they’d been walking for awhile.
“Because Iwantedto.”
“Butwhy?”
He stopped and shoved his hands in his pockets. “My mother is dead.” His eyes clouded with grief and loss. “The reason I included Venice on my trip is because she always talked about this place. She wanted to see it, even had the Grand Canal as a screensaver on her computer. ‘One day, Reed. One day we’re gonna go there.’” He paused, swallowing hard. “She ate right—cutting out sugar and gluten and all that stuff. She worked hard and saved moneyfor the future, she always said. She did everything right, you know? But that didn’t stop death from coming for her before she turned forty and realized her plans. I don’t want to be like that. I’m living my life. I’m eating the burger and having dessertafterward.”
He smiled. “Might as well enjoy myself. Maybe I’m just enjoying myself for her, you know? If she were here and wanted that necklace, I would have gotten for her, because she’d never get it for herself. It’s just a necklace, Anika. It won’t break me, and I want you tohaveit.”
“Thank you,” she said quietly. Her hand tightened around the box. “Where are you headed afterVenice?”
“Up to Turin and then France. Then I’m going to Spain, Portugal, and ending my trip in England before heading home. How about you? What are you goingtodo?”
Anika shrugged. “Go home and try to findajob.”
His eyes narrowed. “What aboutEmerson?”
“Thetruth?”
“Ofcourse.”
She laughed softly. “He and Ibrokeup.”
“Noway.”
She nodded, her face heating in embarrassment. “He broke up with me, and that’s why I’m here alone.” An eternal optimist, she still believed in romance and trusted that one day she’d meet someone who wouldappreciateher.
“Yeah, well, he was a jerk. He didn’t deserve you. You could dobetter.”
Anika watched him, askance. In all honesty, she should have seen through Emerson. She’d been so in love with the idea of love, she’d ignored the signs indicative of his true character. “Did you knowhimwell?”
“No, but I could tell he was a jerk. He had that jerk walk and he was a dick in intramural sports. You were too goodforhim.”
“Now you’re making meblush.”
