Romance in Italy

Romance in Italy - 17

Long chapter. Or I hope so because it was like 6 pages on Word. Anyway, this chapter has more Ashton and Grace in it. I also threw in some embarrassing childhood memories of theirs.  ;) 

So, I think I deserve your votes and comments, eh? 

~ xolilyxo

P.S.: no proofread ftw! So, I'm sorry if there's some grammatical issues thrown in there. I was in a hurry to get this chapter updated! :)

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Seventeen.

“So what are you going to do?” Max inquired as we walked into the lobby of the hotel. I was strangely silent after the incident; my thoughts were in a jumble and I could hardly sort through them. To say I was conflicted was a huge understatement.

I cast Max a sideways glance. “Honestly? I don't know. I know I should tell him but...” His reaction was what I was afraid of. I knew Ashton was basically doing the exact same thing Judith was doing: cheating on her with me, but maybe there was a part of him that truly felt something for her. And with that in mind, I didn't to see him get hurt.

“You know he's going to want proof, right?”

I nodded slowly. “Yeah, I know.” Realization dawned and I brightened. “I don't have to tell him anything yet. I need some proofs! Hell, maybe she's not even married,” I trailed off and backtracked. “I'm having too much faith in her morals.”

Max chuckled and knocked his shoulder against mine playfully. “Want me to come with on your next sleuthing adventure?”

I smiled and nodded vigorously. “Would you?”

“Of course. I'll rope Eddie in too.” Max's eyes suddenly turned sly. “Though by the looks of things, he's not missing out much.”

I frowned, confused. “What? Speaking of Eddie, where is he?”

He pointed across the lobby and with furrowed brows, I followed his line of sight. I gaped and gasped, slapping my hand over my mouth at the sight in front of us. Let's just say that Eddie and Madeline's relationship had progressed a lot in the course of a few hours. I tugged on Max's sleeve and directed my wide-eyed stare at him, aghast. “Is he insane?”

Max sighed and marched over there, pulling me along. “Why must you ask that when clearly he is?” Together the two of us stood in front of the kissing couple with their arms wrapped tightly around each other. “Sir, Madame,” Max pitched his voice low and rough. “Please enjoy each other elsewhere. There are guests...”

I stifled my laughter as the couple sprung apart, abashed and flushed. Once Eddie caught sight of Max, he scowled and swung his arm in Max's direction, which Max deftly dodged. Madeline had her head ducked and the tips of her ears were pink. I walked to her and poked her shoulder teasingly. “Wow, you guys sure move fast.”

“I'm sorry.” Madeline apologized. I noticed her voice held a tinge of an Italian accent. “But, it's just that he's leaving in a couple of weeks and I've never met any guy like him. Smart, funny...”

I interrupted her with a choked sound at the back of my throat. “Wait, 'smart'?” For as long as I've known him, which was roughly about two weeks, Eddie has never shown any signs of knowledge or intelligence.

She narrowed her eyes at me and I shrugged. “Yes, he's smart.”

“Alright, if you say so.” I muttered softly.

Eddie strolled over, glowering at me before softening his expression when he swung his gaze to Madeline. I smirked and mouthed to Max, He's totally whipped. Max nodded and grinned, showing his agreement. “I'll see you later, Madeline.” Then, to all our surprise, Eddie leaned down and planted a sweet kiss on her cheek. Madeline nodded and walked out of the hotel, glancing back twice to gaze at Eddie.