What Happens Abroad Read Online Free Page B

parents.”
    â€œOkay, fine; our parents might think that,” I said, warming to the idea, “but seriously! We’re young, we’re single, and we’re in Italy.” I paused, letting that sink in. “How many other girls get to say that?”
    A slow smile spread across Sarah’s face. “You know, you’re right.”
    â€œOf course, I’m right. Now, didn’t you want to find some gelato?”
    â€œIce cream makes everything better,” Joelle offered with a grin as we left the museum.

Chapter Five
    It was way too hot to be walking around outside when we left the museum, so instead of hiking back to our apartment, we bought a couple of bottles of water and brightly colored cups of gelato from a tiny shop, and then we sat on a bench in a small piazza. The bench was shaded by an ancient tree, and despite the heat, it was a nice place to just sit.
    â€œEverything feels different here,” Joelle commented, glancing around the quiet square.
    â€œI know what you mean. It’s almost like we’re back in time.”
    She shook her head slightly. “Maybe, but it’s more than that. It just seems . . . slower or something. Like people don’t have anywhere to be.”
    Sarah tipped her head back and closed her eyes. “I love it. London was way too fast for me.”
    I turned toward her, interested. “How’d you end up working there, anyway?”
    Sarah was quiet for a minute. Finally, she looked up at the leaves above us. “Bad relationship with my dad, I guess.”
    â€œOh.” I hesitated. “Mom raised me and Susie alone.”
    â€œYour sister?” Joelle asked.
    I nodded. “Yeah. She’s sixteen.”
    Sarah sighed. “I always wanted a sister.”
    I laughed. “You wouldn’t say that if you’d met mine.”
    Joelle nodded. “I know what you mean. My brother drives me nuts! I mean, I love him and everything, but still, he’s crazy.”
    When we’d finished the gelato, we ambled back toward the apartment, but before we got there, Joelle turned off on a side street. “It’s my night to cook,” she reminded us. “I have to get groceries.”
    Sarah and I nodded, and we walked in silence back to the apartment. Before we went inside, Sarah spoke. “I really think I loved him, Camie.”
    I nodded. I didn’t need to ask who she was thinking about; my own thoughts had drifted to Hunter more and more that afternoon. “Me, too.”
    She sighed. “So what are we supposed to do now?”
    â€œMove on, I guess. I mean, neither of us has any way to get in touch with them, do we? I don’t even know Hunter’s last name.”
    â€œMe, neither. So I guess Internet stalking is out. And after what I said, I doubt he’d want to talk to me again, even if I could.” She paused. “I could always go back to London.”
    â€œYeah, you could. But wouldn’t it be better to rip the Band-Aid off? I mean,” I floundered, “if it was meant to be, it would have worked out, right?”
    She nodded pensively. “Yeah. Yeah, you’re right.”
    I didn’t want to be right, I realized. I wanted a second chance with Hunter, and I wanted Sarah to have her second chance, too. But that wasn’t going to happen. “Just because I’m right doesn’t mean this doesn’t suck.”
    â€œNo,” she agreed, “I guess not.”
    I gave her a quick hug. “Remember,” I said, forcing a smile, “We don’t want to spend the whole time we’re in Italy whining. I mean, come on, Sarah,
Italy
!”
    Sarah’s lips puckered, but then she started to smile. “You’re right. Things are pretty spectacular when you put it that way.”
    ~
    Joelle made my attempt at dinner the previous night look truly pathetic; somehow, she managed to whip together some kind of vegetable casserole thing that