CHAPTER ONE

"All men, what the devil!" I yelled, raising my drink as if it were a triumph trophy. It had a pineapple wedge and one of those goofy little umbrellas stuck in it, and it was bright pink.

The barman gave me a raised eyebrow. He was suppressing a laugh, and I could tell. I smiled and swayed on the barstool a little. I added, "Except you, Enzo," and swung the drink in his direction like a magic wand. "You're secure. You are not included in the evil club because you are attracted to men.

The sound of the waves crashing a few feet away blended perfectly with the warm honey that was the sweet alcohol as it slid through my veins. The soothing rhythm of the Capri ocean made me feel as though nature was lulling me to sleep. This fuzzy feeling didn't bother me. I could spend the entire weekend in this daze.

With a lopsided smile that was more amused than concerned, Enzo remarked, "You might want to slow down a bit."

I gave a dramatic nod. “Yes, sir. This is my last one. Scout's honour, I ignored his "Sure, Jan" expression as I shoved a piece of pineapple into my mouth.

I held up my drink as if it were holy and said, "I won't even remember his name when I finish this." That will be the ideal moment to halt.

Enzo turned to face a group of tourists across the bar and rolled his eyes. I didn't hold him responsible. Since we had only met an hour earlier, he most likely just wanted to finish his shift by mixing expensive beach drinks. But he’d been nice enough to talk to a clearly heartbroken woman drowning herself in sugar and booze.

As soon as he walked away, my smile dropped. That floaty buzz started to fade, and I felt a pinch of reality sneak back in.

Why am I even here?

I was supposed to start over this weekend in Amalfi. I prepared all of my finest swimwear, booked the trip, and checked into the upscale Hotel Mare d'Oro. However, I was still feeling awful after six cocktails. I couldn't get that little voice out of my head.

Did you really think that a tan and a five-star hotel would make heartbreak go away?

I pulled my loose button-down shirt around my shoulders and repositioned the straps on my bikini top. The sun didn't like me back, even though I liked it. I just got red and itchy every time I tried to get tan. Everyone else on the beach, meanwhile, was glowing like gods made of bronze. Numbers.

"You alright, Chiara?" Enzo had returned with a softer voice.

I tried to look alive by lifting my eyes. "Not really."

His elbows were resting on the counter as he leaned in. Do you want to discuss it? I just finished my shift.

I took a look around. The bar on the beach was closing. The majority of people had left. It was just the sound of the waves and us.

I whispered, "I don't want to be that girl talking about her ex."

He shrugged and said, "I don't mind." "I swear not to pass judgement. And I'll despise the man as much as you do.

I laughed at that. It was a genuine laugh, not the phoney one I had been using to get by in social settings.

I inhaled deeply. "All right. In summary? I fell in love. His name was Luca. He was in law school. I was in art. Together, we moved in. In order for him to concentrate on his studies, I quit to work two jobs.

Enzo's eyebrows went up.

Indeed. I cooked, did the laundry, and paid the rent. believed that we were constructing a future together.

"And then?" he enquired softly.

Then one evening, I happened to walk into a restaurant and witnessed him pop the question to the daughter of a wealthy lawyer. I bought the ring with my money. Regarding the meal. On her dumb dress.

Enzo's mouth fell open. "You're not serious."

"Nope."

"That's... amazing. What a jerk.

“Right?!” I took another sip and let out a breath that felt like I’d been holding it in for weeks. “So I moved out. cried nonstop for seven days. Then I recalled the funds I had set aside for our "future." Booked this trip.”

He stared at me, impressed. "You're spending it now, then?"

I raised my glass and nodded. "Every last euro." This weekend’s gonna change my life.”

Enzo smiled and said, "Perhaps you should let a new guy help you forget the old one."

I quickly shook my head. "No. No. One-night stands are not something I engage in.

"Not even if he's attractive enough to be featured in a magazine."

I sneered. "Where can I find a guy like that?"

Enzo pointed to the hotel terrace with a tilt of his head.

Holy crap, I turned.

Four men. suits. angular jawlines. smirking as if they were the world's rulers. They appeared as though they had just stepped out of a Uomo e Salute photo shoot. However, one of them was particularly noticeable.

tall. Tan. Dark hair in artistically dishevelled waves. Hazel eyes. Smolder for days. His shirt held on to a god-sculpted body.

My mouth fell open.

Enzo laughed. "That one? Leonardo is his name. I'm here on business.

"What?"

He gave a nod. "You were looking." I thought I could help.

"Stop talking; I wasn't."

"You were. It is not a crime, so don't worry.

I snatched up my drink and got up far too quickly. "I'm heading to my room."

"Hold on!" Enzo quickly poured me another drink. “On the house.”

I grinned sincerely. "Thank you, Enzo. You are the greatest.

"Tell me that when your head hurts tomorrow."

I turned to the hotel and laughed. My legs had other plans.

"Left, right, don't fall." I whispered to myself.

Then I struck something, though. or someone.

"Dio santo!" A deep voice snarled.

I raised my head.

Oh. Oh no.

He was the one. Leonardo. Hazel Eyes, Mr. encased in my beverage.

I muttered, "Crap."

He stared down at me, clearly annoyed. I made an effort to smile. Didn’t work.

"I didn't intend to."

He arched an eyebrow. Awaiting.

"I'm able to clean it! I'm quite adept at removing stains. I promise.

Slowly and deliberately, his eyes moved down my body and back up again. A grin pulled at his mouth. At last, he said, "All right." "Clean it up by tomorrow."

I blinked. "What?"

He was shrugging off his jacket before I could think. Then he unbuttoned his shirt.

Oh. My own. God.

I couldn't decide if I should draw him or faint. He was art. art that is literal. Muscles resemble marble. Sunlight turns skin golden. My eyes wouldn't cooperate, even though every part of me cried out, "Look away!"

"Are you done staring?" he said in a humorous tone.

"Yes," I squeaked.

He threw the shirt in my direction. "I'll see you tomorrow."

"Chiara," I stumbled.

He looked at me a moment longer. "Chiara."

Then he left, into the night, shirtless.

My heart slammed in my chest.

For the first time in a long time, it didn’t ache.

I was calling that progress.