I took a sip of my bitter, expensive wine, making it a point to get it in the shot. Then turned the camera to the bowl of risotto in front of me, showing that too.
“I told myself I’d make the most of this trip.” I turned the camera to show the view: cobblestone streets just beyond the iron railing, a couple laughing at a nearby table, the slow crash of the sea. “And I mean—it’s not the worst place to be alone.”
I set the camcorder down on the table, facing me, and it continued to record. Somewhere deep down, I hoped he’d watch this later. That he’d see I was trying. That even without him by my side, I was still holding space for him.
But still… I wish he were here.
I couldn’t cry. Not when the view was too beautiful to ruin.
Instead, I picked up my phone, opened the camera app, and took a photo of myself—a soft smirk, sunglasses lowered just enough to show my eyes—and sent it to Theo without a caption.
He called almost immediately.
So much for being busy.
I answered on the second ring, lifting the phone to my ear with the same energy I held my wine glass—light, casual, completely unbothered.
“Where are you, Sweetness?” he asked, voice low, almost amused.
“Out to lunch,” I replied breezily, “enjoying the views.”
There was a pause. “I’m guessing you’re upset with me?”
Of course I am, dumbass!
“No,” I said simply. “I’m not.”
“Hm.” Another pause. “Is there a particular reason you decided to spend a hundred thousand euros today?”
“You told me to cheer myself up,” I said, swirling my wine with one hand while balancing my phone with the other. “I took your advice.”
He let out a short laugh. “Last night, you asked me if fifteen hundred on a dress was too much. But today, a hundred grand is just a casual swipe, huh?”
“Need me to return them?” I challenged, raising a brow even though he couldn’t see me.
“Not at all,” he said quickly. “I’m just calling to check on you.”
“I’m good.”
I heard him exhale before his tone softened. “You still enjoying lunch?”
“I am,” I lied. And I knew he could tell.
“Hm. Well, I’m back in our room for a few minutes,” he said after a moment. “If you’ve got some time… maybe we can talk for a bit before I head back to work. I think I owe you an explanation for last night.”
I looked back at the view. As good as it was, I realized it was worthless without him here to enjoy it with me. All this shopping and vlogging felt empty without my Teddy, and the idea of being in the room with him for a few minutes felt better than hours spent looking at the Mediterranean Sea.
I turned the camcorder off.
“I’ll be there in thirty minutes.”
?????
When I walked into the suite, Theo was on the couch, elbows on his knees, head bowed like he’d been waiting for me to come in and say I was done.
What was eating at him like this?
I dropped my shopping bags at the door and toed off my new pink Prada heels, the silence between us growing thick before either of us spoke.
