Lessons Learned, Healing Hearts

Karaoke Challenge (Chapter 18)

*Note: The song Chiquitita  is sung by ABBA

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Marlow stood in front of the mirror, her mouth twisted with indecision as she stared at the array of clothes strewn across her bed. She had cycled through three different outfits and now, thoroughly convinced none of them were suitable, she stood in bare feet and jeans, arms crossed over a camisole.

What do you wear when the man you were falling for is joining you for a karaoke night?

This wasn't a date—not officially. But it also wasn't not a date.

"Just stop it," Marlow scolded herself, shaking out her hands. She was making herself crazy. Settling on a soft green eyelet top with three-quarter-length sleeves, she slipped on her black suede wedge booties and once again stood in front of the mirror. Dressed up enough to feel like she'd made an effort, she tucked one side of her hair behind her ear and stepped back.

"Perfect."

Startled when the doorbell rang, she glanced at her watch. Piero hadn't texted, and he was early.

"Wow, you look great," Piero said, giving Marlow a quick peck on the cheek.

"You don't look so bad yourself," Marlow shyly commented. Dressed in blue jeans, a cream-coloured light knit sweater, brown shoes, and a brown leather jacket, he looked better than 'not bad.' You look fantastic.

"You ready?" Piero asked.

"I am."

Pulling her jacket off a hanger, she held it out for Piero to take. As she slipped her arms into the sleeves and he lifted her jacket over her shoulders, her breath caught in her throat when he gathered her hair in his hands and flipped it out of the collar. As goosebumps covered her skin, she was grateful her jacket hid her excitement. Grabbing her purse and house keys, she uttered, as casually as she could, "Let's go."

***

"Here you go," the server said, setting the large veggie pizza in front of them. "Enjoy."

"Oooh, yes!" Piero exclaimed, slipping the pizza server under the golden crust and lifting a slice.

"Buon appetito."

"Buon appetito," Marlow echoed.

Marlow giggled as she watched Piero use his knife to wrap the cheese around his fork with practiced precision, moaning and closing his eyes.

"Mmm, so good. So good!" he exclaimed, savouring the burst of fresh tomatoes, bell peppers, artichoke hearts, mushrooms, and salty olives.

"So, do you agree that veggie pizzas are the best?"

"Sì, sì. Molto delizioso."

The one thing Marlow admired deeply about Piero was how skilled a conversationalist he was. He spoke with ease, talking only a little about his career, the highs and lows, and the sacrifices he and his bandmates had made.

"So, when you aren't touring, where is home?"

"I have two homes," he said. "Mostly I am in Bologna, but I also have an apartment in Naro, which is where I grew up."

"You said you lived with Ignazio. Does he also live in Bologna?"

"He does."

"And what about Gianluca? Does he live in the same city as well?"

"No, Gianluca lives on the east coast of Italy, in his hometown of Montepagano."

Before she could ask more, Piero pulled up a map of Italy on his phone, pointing out where each of them lived. Zooming in, he showed her where in Sicily Naro was.