Chapter 28. I Need You Close to Me

MAXIMILIANO

[Florence, Italy]

"I want to live here. For good."

Why? Why Italy? Did she feel unsafe in England? Or just unhappy?

I stared into her eyes, my legs touching hers as her back leaned against the wall. Her laptop screen behind me looked dimmer now. "Here?" In Florence? "Why?"

"I don't wanna go back to Rome," Adreana murmured, her fingers touching mine. "Or London. Bristol's out of the question."

"Can I ask why?"

"Tsk. I don't want to talk about it," she mumbled, shaking her head lightly. She made a face and stopped touching me. "I'm sorry."

"Okay. No need to apologize."

"I just can't. It's...complicated."

"How can I help?"

Adreana squinted, her frown making her lips pout. "Help with what?"

"You moving here."

"I... You don't have to. Your mum giving me a new job is more than enough help."

"You really need this job?"

Adreana looked away, her nods almost too faint.

"Why?" I stroked