Tuscan Love Letter

CHAPTER 1

"There she goes again," Finn says, his eyes fixed on the woman walking past the villa from his spot by the pool.

I lift myself from the sunbathing chair, glancing over to see the woman who has been a regular sight since we arrived in Tuscany. Each day, she passes by the back of the villa, moving gracefully through the garden's edge with what I assume is her dog.

"Oh, how I love Italy," Finn continues, a dreamy expression on his face.

"Get out of your head, man," Chris laughs from the other side of the pool, shaking his head.

"Yeah, you don't even know her," I add, feeling a bit exasperated. Finn's infatuation with this mystery woman has been a constant topic of conversation lately.

Finn leans back at the edge of the pool, a smirk playing on his lips. "Well, at least she's real, not like your fake girlfriend," he retorts.

"She's not fake," I snap back at him, rolling my eyes. "She'll be here in a few days. She's just busy working right now. I told you that already."

"Sure, sure," Finn teases, clearly enjoying the banter. "But until then, I've got my eye on Miss Italy over there."

Chris snorts. "Good luck with that. You don't even know her name."

Finn shrugs, undeterred. "Details, details. It's all part of the charm, right?"

I shake my head, knowing how relentless Finn can be once he's set his sight on something-or someone. "Just don't get your hopes up, man. Sometimes it's better to admire from a distance."

"Maybe," Finn concedes with a grin, "but where's the fun in that?"

As Finn continues to gaze after the mysterious woman, I can't help but feel a twinge of anticipation.

I head back inside, leaving Finn to his daydreams. The aroma of fresh herbs and sizzling food fills the air as I step into the kitchen, where William, Lisa, and Hannah are busy preparing lunch. The cheerful chaos of the kids-Henry, Isaac, and Julia-watching a movie and playing together adds to the lively atmosphere of the villa.

"So, did she say when she's going to get here?" Lisa asks me, glancing up from the cutting board where she is chopping vegetables.

"She's not completely sure, but she told me she is going to be here in 3 days tops." I reply, unable to keep a smile off my face as I grab some chips from the counter.

William looks up from the stove, where he is stirring a pot of sauce. "Three days, huh? I can't wait to meet her. You've been talking about her for ages."

"Yeah, it'll be great to finally put a face to the name," Hannah adds, arranging a platter of fresh fruit.

"She's really looking forward to meeting all of you too," I say, leaning against the counter and munching on the chips. "And I can't wait for you all to see how amazing she is."

"You sound pretty smitten, Noah," Lisa teases, giving me a playful nudge. "It's about time we see if she lives up to all the hype."

I laugh, shaking my head. "She will. Just wait and you'll see."

As we chat about Sofia's upcoming arrival, the anticipation grows. It won't be long before she is here, and I can't help but feel a mixture of excitement and nervousness. Introducing her to my closest friends is a big step, but I know they'll love her as much as I do.

✽✽✽

Some time later, in the afternoon, I find a quiet moment to myself on the terrace, reading a book while the rest of the group enjoys the pool or busies themselves in the garden. The serene ambiance of Tuscany is the perfect backdrop for some relaxation.

Just as I am getting engrossed in the story, my phone rings. I glance at the screen and see Sofia's name flashing, indicating a video call. A smile spreads across my face as I answer the call, eager to see her.

"Hey there," I greet her, my mood instantly lifting as her face appears on the screen.

"Hey, amore," Sofia responds with a warm smile. "How's everything going over there?"

"Pretty good," I reply, adjusting the phone so she can see the picturesque view behind me. "Just enjoying some downtime while everyone else is either in the pool or the garden."

"It's beautiful," she says, her eyes lighting up at the sight. "I can't wait to be there with you."

"Neither can I," I say, leaning back in my chair. "So, any updates on when you'll be able to come?"

"Yeah, I talked to the family and everything's sorted out here," Sofia confirms, her excitement evident.

"That's great news! Everyone's looking forward to meeting you," I say, feeling a rush of anticipation.

"I'm excited to meet them too," she replies. "I've heard so much about your friends. How are they?"

"They're good," I say, glancing towards the pool. "Everyone's having a great time. They'll love you, just like I do."

Sofia laughs softly. "I hope so. Well, I need to get a work call. Just wanted to talk to you for a little."

"Thanks for calling," I say, feeling a little lighter. "Can't wait to see you."

"Same here. Bye, Noah."

"Bye, love," I reply, ending the call and placing my phone back on the table.

Things with Sofia have been really great. Although we don't see each other as much as other couples, we're making it work, and the times we do see each other are always much more exciting. Keeping her a secret from my friends was never something we discussed; it just happened that way. We started dating around mid-February, and by mid-April, she had to move away for work. There was never really a chance to properly introduce her to the group.

Now, with her arrival just around the corner, I can't help but feel a mixture of excitement and nervousness. The thought of finally bridging my two worlds-my friends and Sofia- is both thrilling and a little daunting.