Tuscan Love Letter

CHAPTER 9

Today, Sofia leaves for work early again, taking Dante with her. We have a couple of activities planned for today: a biking route that will take about two hours, followed by lunch and a relaxing thermal bath. It will take up most of the day, and although I am sad Sofia can't join us, I know she likes working at Diontris'. Tomorrow, I have arranged a dinner date just for the two of us. Since we arrived, we've always been surrounded by friends. Don't get me wrong, I love them, but some private time with my girlfriend is something I really want.

As we gear up for the biking route, I can't help but notice Finn talking a little too much about Sofia. He seems genuinely curious about her life here and her routine. At first, I shrug it off as friendly interest, but the more he talks, the more it starts to grate on me.

"Man, Sofia really knows her way around this place, huh?" Finn says as we adjust our bikes.

"Yeah, she does," I reply, trying to keep my tone neutral.

"She mentioned some amazing local spots yesterday. Think we could check them out sometime?" he continues.

"Sure, we'll see," I say, a bit tersely.

Adrian notices the tension and jumps in. "Let's get going, guys. The route isn't going to ride itself."

We set off, pedalling through the scenic countryside. The fresh air and exercise does wonders for my mood, and for a while, I manage to push my irritation aside. The biking route is beautiful, with rolling hills and amazing views that make the effort worth it.

After two hours of cycling, we arrive at the lunch spot, a charming little cafe with outdoor seating. We park our bikes and settle in, ordering a variety of local dishes.

As we eat, the conversation flows easily. I try to engage with everyone, but Finn's persistent mentions of Sofia keeps drawing my attention.

"Did Sofia ever mention this place?" he asks, looking around appreciatively.

"Yeah, she's been here a few times," I say, my patience wearing thin.

I think Mark notices the shift in my tone because he decides to change the subject. "So, Noah, what's the plan for tomorrow?"

I seize the opportunity. "Sofia and I are having a private dinner. Thought it would be nice to spend some quality time together, just the two of us."

"Sounds perfect," Victor says, smiling. "You two deserve some alone time."

The thermal bath after lunch is exactly what we need. The warm water and serene environment help me relax even further. As we dip, I find myself thinking about the dinner date tomorrow. I want it to be special, a moment for us to reconnect amidst all the group activities.

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When we get back from our biking route and thermal bath, we are all exhausted. The kids, however, are bursting with energy and clamouring to go to the pool. While their parents are getting them ready, I decide to head outside where Sofia has mentioned she will be waiting.

As I step into the garden, I see her in the shallow part of the pool, reading a book. Dante is between running around and swimming, clearly enjoying himself. The moment he spots me, he dashes over, tail wagging enthusiastically.

"Hey, buddy," I greeted him, giving him a good pet before making my way to the pool.

Sofia looks up and smiles. "Hey, amore," she says, closing her book and setting it aside.

I sit on the edge of the pool, and she swims over, spreading a bit my legs so she can settle in between them. "How was the biking route?" she asks, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.