“Okay,” she agreed. She reached up and touched his cheek as she looked into his eyes. “Goodnight.”
“Goodnight.”
Chapter 11
The next morning Viktor left his room with an extra bounce in his step. Having come clean about how he felt for Amanda and having her reciprocate made him feel new and invigorated. He purchased 2 coffees as he had done the day before and then headed to her room.
She answered the door fully awake, dressed and ready to go. She seemed to be in just as good a mood as him.
“Thank you,” she said as she relieved him of one of the coffees.
“Did you sleep well?” he asked.
“It took me a while to fall asleep but once I finally did, it was good.”
“I also had trouble falling asleep,” he admitted.
“Perhaps for the same reason as me?”
“Perhaps,” he agreed. “I couldn’t stop thinking about you.”
“Oh.” She looked disappointed. “I guess it wasn’t the same reason then.”
“What kept you up?” he inquired.
“Thoughts of you,” she said with a playful smirk.
He grinned and sighed as if he should have seen that coming. “May I hold your hand?”
She immediately slipped her hand into his. “Yes.”
He grinned and resisted the urge to kiss her. “Come. The sunrise won’t wait for us.”
They again enjoyed the beautiful sunrise from St. Mark’s Square. It was just as glorious as it was the day before. While Amanda could hardly take her eyes away from the skyline, Viktor couldn’t take his eyes off of her. No longer fearing he would give himself away, he felt free to admire her as the rising sun bathed her in soft, golden light.
After a few minutes Amanda noticed his steady gaze.
“The sunrise is over there,” she teased, gesturing towards the skyline.
“The beauty I want to admire is right here next to me.”
Amanda made a show of looking all around them. “Where is she?”
He laughed and then huffed. “Why must you frustrate me so?”
“I’m sorry,” she said with an apologetic smile. “I make jokes when I’m nervous.”
He squeezed her hand and pulled her closer. “Why are you nervous?”
“I’m not used to the attention,” she admitted.
“What can I do?”
She half-jokingly replied, “Be gentle with me.”
He reached up with his free hand and caressed her cheek. “How gentle should I be?”
Amanda’s anxiety and nervousness spiked and the effect on her countenance was swift. Her expression morphed from playful and fun to distressed in a matter of seconds.
“Why do you have to be so serious?” she asked, feeling overwhelmed by his intensity.
“Is that what makes you nervous?”
She nodded while staring down at his chest.
“Very well,” he said as he pulled his hand from her face and turned to watch the sunrise. “Stop ogling me and watch this beautiful sky,” he teasingly demanded.
“Ogling you?” she repeated, feeling immediately relieved by his attempt to lighten the mood.
“Yes. You haven’t taken your eyes off me this entire time,” he declared with feigned indignance.
She giggled and snuggled up to his arm, resting her head on his shoulder as she turned her attention back to the brilliant landscape in front of them. She felt a little sad as the last of the vivid and dramatic colors drained from the sky, replaced by blue sky and white clouds.
For their last day in Venice they decided totravel to the nearby island of Burano, an area well known for its colorful houses and lacemaking. They spent the day admiring the views, enlisting the help of passersby to take pictures of them as a couple. Amanda knew she would need to inform her mom that she and Viktor were dating before sending the next batch of pictures which unmistakingly reflected the change in their relationship.
Amanda’s favorite photo was of the pair standing in front of a turquoise canal with a row of colorful houses in the background. Viktor had his arms around her and he tickled her side as he kissed her cheek causing her to laugh just as the picture was snapped. The image perfectly captured the sheer delight and joy she felt that day, the closeness that she and Viktor shared and how well they got along.
They decided to have dinner on the island and made a reservation at a local restaurant that left enough time for them to watch the sunset after. After leaving the restaurant, they walked to the southwest side of the island and found a spot overlooking the water to sit and watch the sunset together. There were no benches, just an open grassy area.
Amanda lay back on the grass looking up at the sky. Viktor lay next to her on his side propped up on his elbow facing her.
“Did you tell your mother?” he asked.
She rolled to her side and rested her head on her hand. “Not yet. I’ll have to tell her before I send her any of the pictures from today.”
“What do you think she’ll say?”
“I told you so.”
He chuckled. “She knew before you did?”
“You know moms. She thinks everyone likes me.”
“Maybe they do.”
Amanda laughed. “No. That’s definitely not true.”
“I’m actually quite surprised you weren’t already spoken for. I feel very lucky.”
Amanda groaned nervously. “That’s because you still don’t know me well. You may well change your mind.”
Viktor’s gaze remained calm, confident and fixed on her. “No. I see you, Amanda. You don’t hide who you are. You are exactly how you appear … and that’s what I think I like most about you.”
“I wish I had your confidence.”
“You feel unsure?”
“Very,” she admitted.
“What do you fear most?” he asked.
“I don’t know.” She took a deep breath and exhaled as she tried to pinpoint her fears. “I guess I’m afraid that these feelings we have will fade in the coming months. Especially since we live so far apart.”
“Are you worried about my feelings or yours?”
“Both.”
“Hmm.” Viktor tried to find words of reassurance but they were eluding him.
“You’re not worried?” she asked.
“Well … I am now,” he said with a nervous laugh.
“You
