“New York comes in a close second. You’ll have to visit me one day so you can compare.”

“Deal.”

The drive flew by. We chatted nonstop, talking in low voices as a lot of the group slept in their seats, soft snores echoing in the air. Sometimes, our bare thighs would brush when I changed position. The hair on his leg tickled a bit and brought a tiny dip in my belly. I was getting used to his freckles, and the lips I’d once thought too red for his pale skin now looked soft, especially when he smiled. I found myself studying his face more closely, fascinated by the angular lines and his sloping red brows.

Definitely not Prince Harry. But maybe that was okay.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

Sophia

The moment my feet hit the ground, a powerful fist of emotion plowed through my gut. This time, it wasn’t the ulcer or the growing source of unease inside my body I was worried about. No, this was the realization that I’d finally reached my destination—one I’d dreamed of since I was young.

The bus took us directly to a well-known travel spot to get the best pictures. I gazed out at the stunning view of my parents’ birth city. Dusty brown buildings merged together and set off the calm bay, where various ships docked. Mount Vesuvius hung in a misty shroud in the distance. Enzo kept us entertained with lively stories of the stunning Sophia Loren, the local Napoli heroine, and tempted us with promises of the best pizza in the world. But I craved walking down the same streets my parents had, and steeping myself in the grit and scents of the city that was known for its Mafia crime, garbage, and rough exterior. This was the Naples my parents had told me about, along with the pleasures of a tight-knit community, hearty food, and architectural beauty sprouting from every corner.

We headed straight into the thriving heart of the city—Spaccanapoli, a famous street that split Naples into three sections that housed the old and the new. Enzo called the group together. “You will have two hours to explore and have lunch, so keep your eye on the time. We have a long travel day to Capri and we need to keep a tight schedule.” He rattled off a few restaurants and Allegra typed them into her phone. “Those are guaranteed to have the best pizza, but my first choice will always be Sorbillo if there is not a big line. You will also want to hit the bakery and try the babà, zeppole, or sfogliatelle. You can get it to go.” He gave his usual charming grin. “Now, get going and have fun. I am here for any questions. This is the Piazza Gesù Nuovo, where you can find me, and then I will guide us back to the bus. If you get lost, please text and I will get you.”