"Why do you look so skeptical?"
"Nothing, but I think I figured out, why you're in such a good mood all of a sudden."
"Uh-huh, and why?"
"Admit it, you're in love, and I know who it is," I said.
For a short moment Daniel's facial features slipped away and he turned red. Then he started to stammer.
"Hey, don't worry. That's great, I almost thought so."
"It' okay for you?" Daniel looked at me suspiciously.
"Oh, nonsense, that's great. The girl fucked your brain out and you fell in love. Do you at least have her number?"
Daniel looked at me surprised, after a short moment he reacted.
"That's right, Nicole."
I would have expected more enthusiasm from him at this moment. I couldn't help but felt sure, that he was lying to me.
Daniel
When Alex said "Admit it, you've fallen in love and I know who it is", I had half a heart attack. I almost jumped out of the carriage in panic and ran for the hills.
When Alex then expressed his suspicion, I was disappointed and relieved on the one hand. Cleverly I tried to talk my way out of it and directed his attention to the sights of the city.
The little incident, if you could call it that, was quickly forgotten and we had a lively conversation. Inconspicuously I moved closer and again and again carefully sought physical contact.
Hopefully, the jerky ride didn't make him suspicious when I kept leaning against him. Time flew by and before we knew it, the city tour was already over and we were standing at the Spanish Steps again.
"Lunch?"
I looked at Alex questioningly, the carriage ride had made me hungry and before the boat trip I wanted to eat a little something. Alex enthusiastically agreed to my suggestion. We went to the small bistro from the evening before and ordered food. While we waited for the food, Alex took me in for questioning.
"So, what about that girl on the train. Did you get her number? Are you gonna see her again? Don't be so shy."
"Hmmm, it's complicated," I kept printing.
Alex looked at me without understanding.
"What's complicated?"
I took a deep breath.
"It's not the girl from the train, it's someone else."
Alex looked at me urgently and waited for me to tell him more.
"And it's just complicated. I don't want to talk about it right now."
Our food came and saved me from further unpleasant questions. I could tell by the look on Alex's face that he will ask again.
"I see you were at the well yesterday. Have your wishes already been fulfilled?" suddenly the voice, of the old woman from the day before, sounded.
Surprised, Alex and I turned to her and nodded and shook our heads at the same time.
"Very nice. Everything will work out. You just need to be a little braver."
"Would you like to order another drink," the waiter suddenly distracted us. When we turned around, the old woman had disappeared again.
"Did you see where the woman went?" Alex asked the waiter immediately. He just looked at him questioningly.
"Scusi, but there was no old woman here. You're here alone all the time."
Before Alex could say anything, I ordered drinks and the waiter disappeared. Alex drove around to me, excited.
"But you've seen she too, I'm not crazy after all," he began.
"Calm down. The waiter probably just missed it."
I did not believe in this version of the story. I thought about what I just heard, she was right, I had to be braver. After the boat trip, I would talk to Alex about it.
Alex
The old woman had been strange and creepy. Her insinuations got me thinking. Maybe I should be braver and speak to Daniel openly and honestly about my feelings.
Our friendship would hopefully survive this. Especially since Daniel was newly in love.
"So as for the old woman," I started between two bites of pizza.
Daniel waved him off.
"Crazy old lady, I don't care what she said."
My courage sank a little, though hesitantly, I agreed with him. The rest of the meal went on in silence and we both hung on to our thoughts. The words of the old woman could not get out of my head.
"Would you care for some more dessert?"
The waiter interrupted my gloomy thoughts, I waved thanks and looked at Daniel.
"Would you like to?"
Daniel rubbed himself across the stomach.
"No, enough for today, I'll get fat later," he laughed.
"You really need to pay attention to. Soon it will say on your scales: Please only enter one at a time," I raised him.
This time he paid and we went to the river. At the Tiber, countless ships were already waiting, trying to guide the passing tourists to their boats.
A little old man held me by the arm.
"A romantic cruise for two. I know the most beautiful places."
Before I could politely decline, Daniel beat me to it.
"We'll take the tour. How much is that?"
Daniel paid quickly and the man led us to his barge.
"What were you thinking?" I whispered to him.
"We have the boat to ourselves and our peace."
He was right about that. Besides, there were worse things, than being on that ship alone with Daniel.
The boat was very small and reminded me strongly of a gondola from Venice. We entered the shaky vehicle and sat down carefully. It was quite narrow and we sat nestled close together. The old man started the engine and our journey began. The ride was exciting and thrilling, again and again the skipper surprised us with funny anecdotes about the places we passed. He was a born entertainer and time flew by.
Again and again he stopped at romantic spots and gave us challenging glances. He thought we were a couple. We left it at that and didn't make it clear,
