“Definitely. It was great to meet you.”
More hugs and then everybody is on their way, waving over our shoulders to Serena.
Chloe has Reggie on his leash, and Marina is still with us, even as the others head down the street toward where they’ll meet their Ubers. We wave some more until they turn the cornerand are out of sight. The same corner I’ve watched Marina turn so many times.
“Well,” Marina says, looking down the street that’s still bustling, “you headed back to the hotel?”
“Oh, I don’t know,” I say, hedging a bit.
“I’m not tired,” Chloe chimes in, bless her. And then, as if to punctuate her words, Reggie gives one yip from the end of his leash and starts to walk away from the hotel.
“Clearly, neither is Reggie,” I say with a laugh. I meet Marina’s gaze. “I could wander a bit.”
And just like that, the three of us and my dog begin to stroll the busy streets of Rome at night. Shops are still open, much to my surprise. It’s not just bars and restaurants. We pass a leather shop, the stationery shop I’ve been to, and a little handmade soap boutique, all lit up and open for business.
Chloe and Reggie walk slightly ahead of us, which is amusing because she has no idea where she’s going. I walk next to Marina. Close. Close enough to feel the heat coming off her body. Close enough to smell that scent I’ve come to know simply as Marina: cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon. She smells warm and inviting and tempting, like apple pie on a windowsill.
“Take a left up ahead,” she instructs Chloe, who holds up her thumb in response.
“Got it.”
Marina and I look at each other and grin. “She’s awesome,” Marina says quietly.
“I’m glad you think so,” I say. “I’m pretty in love with her myself. Have been since the day she was born.”
“I understand why.”
We amble for a bit and pass a pizza shop. The scents of tomatoes and basil practically slap me in the face, in the best of ways. Before I can mention it, Chloe turns back to us. “Man, the smells in Rome? Fire. Absolute fire.”
As time passes and I’m just about to suggest we turn back, Marina points straight ahead of us. Before she can say anything, I hear Chloe gasp.
“Are those the Spanish Steps?” she asks. “I read about them!” The excitement in her voice is obvious as she swoops up Reggie and picks up her pace. “Meet you there!” she calls over her shoulder, and zips toward the attraction.
Marina puts a hand on my arm before I can call any warnings to Chloe. “She’ll be fine. She can’t really get lost there. It’s just a big square. We’ll catch up.” Her hand slides down my arm and her fingers brush mine, but don’t grasp on. “I want to hold your hand again, but I don’t want to cause any questions while Chloe is here.”
I turn my eyes to hers, and I hope she can see my gratitude in them. “She leaves in two days,” I tell her.
Marina nods, and we keep walking.
The Spanish Steps are something to behold, which is strange to say, because they’re basically a big flight of stone steps in front of a fountain. But they’re also pretty much completely covered by people. Sitting, standing, climbing.
“Well, these are some busy steps,” I say, mostly to myself, but Marina hears me and laughs softly.
“It’s a huge attraction. Thousands of people a day pass through here.”
I turn to her. “How do you know so much about everything?” I say it with a bit of a chuckle. “Like, you’re a walking travel guide.”
Marina points to me. “Exactly.”
I squint at her.
“That has always been my goal.” Her expression grows serious as she looks off in the direction of the fountain, which is lit up and spewing water from stone sculptures I can’t make out. She glances down at her shoes as she says, “I am always fascinated by the history of a place. I do research to find out everything I can. Sharing what I learn with others is something that brings me such joy.” She shakes her head as she gazes off into the middle distance, as if there aren’t hundreds of people milling about. “My family doesn’t seem to understand that.” Her eyes focus on me again, and I can see her face start to light up as she speaks. “Whenever I go to a new place, I spend hours on the internet, learning everything I possibly can about the history of the city, the buildings, the people. I find the best attractions, both well-known and hidden. And I’m good at it.”
She’s speaking with such passion, I can almost feel it coming off her in waves. This is something she truly cares about, it’s so obvious to me, and I suddenly understand the strife with her family. “And being stuck in the hotel would keep you from pursuing this passion of yours.”
She nods, and the shadow of sadness that passes across her face squeezes my heart. “It’s why I love the food tour so much. Because my boss lets me work out the route myself. I get to find little out-of-the-way places and introduce people to them and watch as they have the best day or trip or mealof their lives.It…I can’t describe it. It’s such an honor to witness.”
It’s official. I’ve never met anybody like Marina before. Ever. I’m about to tell her so when I catch, out of the corner of my eye, frantic waving coming from the top of the Spanish Steps. When I turn, I see Chloe, standing at the top, Reggie in one arm, and waving like a fiend with the other. I start laughing and point her out to Marina, who joins me.
