Sammy in Italy (Single Wide Female Travels #2) by Lillianna Blake

shoulders and we walked together.
    I tried to ignore the bit of guilt I felt for lying to him. It was gelato. Drastic measures were required. When we reached the next gelato shop he ordered one cup of strawberry. Once more he offered me the first bite. This time I swirled the spoon around until it was the biggest spoonful I could make.  
    “Oh, honey, that’s a bit much. Want me to take some of that for you?” He swept his spoon in my spoon’s direction.  
    “Back off, Max!” I stuck the spoonful in my mouth before he could get it.
    He burst out laughing.  
    “Ah, I see that you are enjoying the gelato.”  
    “Mmm.” I sighed as the strawberry flavor melted on my tongue. By the time I opened my eyes, Max had eaten almost the entire cup.
    He locked eyes with me as he swirled his spoon in the last bit. “Do you want some more, Sammy?” He held the spoon up in the air near my lips.  
    “No. I said one spoonful of each. That’s all.” I shook my head.
    He moved the spoon back and forth. I followed it with my eyes. He laughed again.  
    “Alright—going once, going twice.” He opened his mouth.
    I lunged forward and ate the last bite off of his spoon before it could reach his mouth. “I knew it!” He grinned at me. “You’ve been stealing my gelato, haven’t you?”  
    “Maybe…” I savored the last bit of gelato.  
    “You had me thinking I was nuts. Want me to go get you another one?”  
    “No, thanks. I’m fine.”  
    “If you say so. It’s way past lunch. There’s a pizza restaurant. Shall we give it a shot?”  
    “When in Italy…” I grinned.

Chapter 26

    While Max ordered the pizza, I thought about the book signing the next day. Max requested that the day just be about us, but the pressure was still distracting me. I did feel that I was expected to perform and to look a certain way. I didn’t want to disappoint the people who supported me. I nibbled on my slice of pizza and continued to think about it.  
    “Sammy, what’s on your mind? Aren’t you hungry? We’ve been walking all day.”
    “Oh, yes I am.” I took a bite and sat back in my chair. “Oh, this is so good!” The pizza was better than any pizza I’d ever tasted.
    Max continued to study me. “So what’s up? What are you lost in thought about?”
    “You said no business talk, remember?”
    “Well, it doesn’t really work if all you’re doing is thinking about it.” He smiled and took my hand. “It’s okay. I always want to hear what’s on your mind.”
    “I don’t know, I guess I’m feeling a little stuck. Like I can’t quite figure out why, but this book signing tomorrow seems like the last thing I want to do.”
    “Really?” He lifted an eyebrow. “That’s not like you.”  
    “I know.” I sighed and glanced at my watch.  
    “Why are you looking at your watch? Do you have an appointment today?”
    “No. I guess I’m a little obsessed with keeping track of time right now.”  
    “Hm, that’s not like you either.”
    I met his eyes across the table. “You’re right, it’s not.”  
    “Well, lately it has been.” He tugged at my watchband. “It seems you’re always checking the time.”
    “I never feel like there’s enough time.” I frowned. All of a sudden it made sense. “That’s it, Max! That’s what’s wrong. I’ve been so worried about being at the right places at the right time that I’ve forgotten how to just be in the moment.”  
    “That makes sense.” He nodded. “We’ve been doing a lot of rushing and traveling.” He hesitated and looked down at his slice of pizza.  
    “What is it, Max?”  
    “I don’t want to fight.” He looked across the table at me.  
    “I’m open to hearing what you have to say.” I gave his hand a light pat.  
    “Well, to be honest, I was a little upset that you went to the meditation this morning.”
    “You were? Why?” I frowned.  
    “Because instead of getting the sleep you needed so that you could enjoy our