The Suite Adult Life

November (15.3)

Le Spagliatoio sat high overlooking the Eternal City. Its interior was covered in blonde wood with lush green and white plants and tables covered in the softest linen. The walk over to the famed restaurant provided the romantic background that both were expecting of the evening. Bailey had commandeered the large bathroom and appeared in an olive green velvet ruched Tory Burch dress that hugged all of the right curves. He felt under dressed in his Hugo Boss suit that London had provided to him. He thought he was well-prepared but the note on the hanger of what he had wanted to wear read simply said "No." Leave it to a hotel heiress to use her position to her advantage.

The host showed them out to a table on the famous veranda with the dome of the Vatican lit up before them. They could hear the bustling city below and lights among homes and businesses twinkled before them. It was reminiscent of the ferries crossing the East River at night.

"Signore Martin," a high and grating voice broke through the din. Table patrons went quiet at Chef Gigi's appearance. She was still as elusive as ever and still demanding nothing but perfection from her staff. Though, the new location made it evident that she was no longer hurting for staff and that the culture around her demands had changed.

"Chef Gigi," Cody smiled as charmingly as possible. "I appreciate you upholding the reservations even though I am not my brother."

She raised a delicate eyebrow. "Try not to fall into a vat of my tomato sauce, si?"

"Try not to hire any more fourteen year olds to work in your kitchen," he shot back good-naturedly.

A rare smile flitted over her features. "Touche!" She shifted her gaze over to Bailey, "and this must be the beautiful Bailey Pickett. I hear it is your birthday, today. Buon compleanno!"

Bailey's wide and bright eyes matched her smile. "Grazi cucuo!"

Chef Gigi smiled approvingly. "She knows Italian," Gigi lightly nudged Cody's shoulder. "I like her. I am preparing for you the ten-course tasting menu. I hope you are hungry!"

"You never have to ask me that," Bailey giggled.

It had taken his whole life but the moment Cody was able to savor his first bite with pure ecstasy. To him, this night couldn't be more perfect. He was in Rome, with Bailey, and finally being able to enjoy Chef Gigi's delectable accoutrement of creativity. The first half of the meal seemed to be going swimmingly. He shared stories of his more lighthearted travels. She shared the story about how the last time she was here she and Mosbey had to save London from being scammed. "Is that why there was so much money scattered about the piazza?" He should have known better. Sometimes his and Zack's allowance came from the street from London literally throwing money away.

Around the sixth course, Bailey let herself quiet down. It was a fun trip down memory lane but how much of the man in front of her could she say she really knew? She knew that he loved his nieces. She knew that he and his brother were stronger than ever. She knew that he loved his job to the point of almost dying for the perfect shot. Multiple times. Bailey let him continue to talk and entertain her, adding in only the most appropriate responses.

Their waiter bringing out a decadent tiramisu for her birthday broke her out of her reverie. "I'm sorry... I can't do this." Swiftly she was away from the table in the piazza below.

Cody made his apologies to the waiter, assuring him they would be back. "So you're just going to ghost me? In Rome?" He couldn't understand her. She came onto him at his gallery opening only to rush out before he woke up. Now, she was pulling the same stunt.

Bailey's therapist's words echoed telling her that running away wasn't always the answer. While he applauded her for leaving her toxic workplace he, gently, reminded her that it was just another version of running away. Home, Paris, DC, Chad, Work, and now Rome. "I don't know you," she broke down. "Every time I look at you, I expect to be back in high school, arguing with you about who is smarter or stronger, and then just... falling into you."

"Hey," he stepped up to her, embracing her gently. "Can you really tell me that after this past year you don't know who I am?"

She dabbed at her eyes, hoping that her mascara wasn't running. "Can you honestly say that you know me?"

Cody raised his nose in the air, haughtily, echoing her astronomy tower confession. "I've known you since before I met you. I know that in the face of the utmost adversity you don't back down. You have the biggest heart of anyone I've ever met. You will risk every part of you if it means someone else will be safe. You put in the work and deserve every reward it reaps."

"But we're not those people anymore," she whispered.

He shook his head in agreement. "We were never supposed to stay the same. I just... I just want the chance to fall in love with this version of you. If you'll let me." The late autumn breeze picked up, wrapping them in the scent of the season. A busker serenaded them to an Adele song about young love. Deftly, Cody pulled her to him tighter, leading her into a slow dance. He marveled at how her dark eyes shimmered in the evening light. With a flourish he spun her out and back to them, twirling them on the ancient cobblestones.

"I'm going to hurt you," Bailey warned softly. He only smiled in disbelief in response.