Had Villa Dolce Vita’s former owner written down the things she’d wished she’d been able to change in her life? Were those words of wisdom her catharsis for the mistakes she’d made and the dreams she’d lost? Was the journal that had lately inspired Kim so much been borne from regret? The thought was possibly even more affecting than the book’s contents.

However, there seemed little point in her trying to dig any deeper. If the journal happened to have been left there by a guest at some unidentifiable point in the past, then there was no way in hell Kim would be able to track him or her down. And if it had ultimately belonged to Villa Dolce Vita’s owner, then that person was long dead and their family didn’t care.

They’d probably never read the journal or even knew it existed.

That day in Amalfi, Kim had exchanged numbers with Emilia and the older woman had urged her to contact her for advice and direction in how best to move forward if she chose to do so.

She really seemed to think Kim had something special.

“Be sure to use the number. Don’t take it and forget about it,” she’d encouraged.

“Please do,” Antonio teased, his eyes twinkling. “If you do not, Emilia will never stop talking about it.”

Kim laughed. “I promise I will. Enjoy the rest of your stay.”

“Likewise,” Antonio replied. “Perhaps we will see you again before it is over.”

Should she truly consider picking up the phone? Kim wasn’t sure. It was a big step. A bold step.

The biggest adventure that you can ever take is to live the life of your dreams.

“So what do you think?” Colette was chattering on alongside her as they walked, telling Kim all about the latest with Luca.

Kim wished she had some words of wisdom for her, but there was nothing in the journal about romance, and she didn’t really have enough experience herself in matters of the heart to advise.

It seemed as if both of her friends’ summer romances had begun to turn—a couple of nights earlier, Annie had returned home from her latest date in a foul mood, and had spent the last few days brooding and moping around the villa.

Obviously, if things were over, her mysterious Prince Charming would remain that way.

Kim and Colette had asked her to come along on today’s hike, conscious that their time as a trio together at the villa was coming to an end and there was still so much of the area they hadn’t explored, but Annie had flat out refused.