Racing For Love

Chapter Fifty Two

As I look through my bag, I realise my hasty packing means i've not got many options for going out for dinner. After I discount the single blouse I put in - the one that got soaked at the thermal baths - this leaves me with a dress which I haven't worn for about four years. I have no idea why I chose this, but maybe it was my subconscious. I wore this when Joe retired from Bianchi, and memories come flooding back - the intensity of Joe's emotions after he told me about his illness, having to navigate all of the changes, and then the bittersweet celebration of Joe's career at the Bianchi factory. The dress is a light summery dress - a plain background with small red roses. I thought i was being so clever to choose it as a nod to Bianchi, but also to Joe as his favourite flowers were roses. I take a deep breath - trying to ignore the tears pricking at the sentimentality of it because it is this option, or Bianchi workwear.

I put on a little makeup, pulling my hair back into a clip and take a quick glance in the mirror before leaving - I think I look ok - the dress is the perfect blend of casual and formal, and I have my trusty brown leather sandals on - comfy enough to walk, and smart enough for most occasions. I walk down the staircase to see Jono waiting in the lobby, miraculously, he's not surrounded by a crowd of fans, and I catch his eye as he stands. He's wearing a blue shirt which picks out the colour of his eyes, and a pair of chinos - he looks as handsome as i've ever seen him in his typical preppy style. I notice him take a deep breath, smiling as he exhales.

"Ace."

"JC."

He offers his arm and I take it - I feel like doing a silly walk or something to ease the tension. I can feel the heat from his body as we walk closely, every synapse in my body firing to focus on this moment. He pulls on a cap low over his face - the ultimate distraction, and we exit the hotel, somehow managing to avoid the cluster of fans waiting outside.

"Um, I thought we could go for a walk first - I want to show you something. And then dinner, if that's ok?" Jono says nervously. Is he nervous?

"Sounds great," I manage. We are both acting like we don't know each other, an awkward silence follows, as we begin to stroll along The Danube. I start humming "The Blue Danube" quietly at first, but then as I get louder, Jono joins in. We're both walking arm in arm humming the classic piece and trying not to laugh as we reach the end of the refrain.

I look at Jono as we both collapse into laughter. I grab his arm to steady myself and he pulls me in so that our bodies are touching. His head bends down and he places a gentle kiss upon my forehead. It is so soft, it is nearly as if it didn't happen, but the blush that is creeping up Jono's neck says otherwise as he lets go "Come on - we're going to miss our slot" he says, and he strides ahead. I'm still frozen to the spot - confused as to what just happened, but I pull myself around and catch up "Hey! Are you not going to wait for me??" I say, pissed off at Jono for leaving me.

Jono's brow is furrowed as I reach him - he turns and I see his expression change, "sorry Ace. Of course. I'm just a bit..."

"I know, it's been a day, but tomorrow's another one. Let's ignore racing for a bit, shall we? Are you going to tell me where we're going to?"

"Here," he says as we reach the front of St Stephen's Basilica. The two bell towers sit either side of a magnificent domed centre, but although stunning, i'm confused why Jono would bring me here.

"It's an amazing building, Jono, but why are we here?"

"Have you got comfortable shoes on?" Jono says, looking down at my feet quizzically, "are they comfortable?"

"They are actually, but i'm more worried about what you want me to do in my comfy shoes..."

"We're going up there," Jono says as he points to the dome above us. He must have remembered the conversation we had about a trip I went on to the Duomo in Florence, and how much I love seeing a different aspect of a city, especially from up high. I grab Jono's hand and we look out for our guide. There's a long queue to walk up the staircase, but we are ushered straight through and begin climbing.