by KM Lowe
“He’s a good guy. Just annoys the life out of me with his protective ways.”
“I know the feeling of annoying brothers,” Giovani points over to a now snoring Lucca. He reaches over and takes the bottle of beer from him before it spills all over the place. I can’t help but laugh at him.
I lean my head back on the cushions and sigh. “Lucca’s a good guy, too, Gio. He’s funny.”
“I’ll remind you that you said that at the end of your holiday. Now he’s found a drinking buddy, you’ll never get peace.”
“I don’t mind. It will be good to have some company while I’m here. I thought I’d be spending the four weeks on my own. I’m not really big on socialising or getting to know new people. In fact, I’m socially awkward around people full stop.”
“I would never have guessed. You did amazingly well to keep up with us tonight.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment. But all good things must come to an end.” I sit forward. “Do you mind pointing me in the right direction to get back?”
“Nope. I can do one better than that. I’ll walk you back. I wouldn’t dream of letting you walk the streets at this hour on your own. I love this country, but there is the odd bad apple that wouldn’t hesitate to take advantage of a woman walking alone.”
I look down at my watch and gasp. “Oh my, it’s three a.m.! I’m sorry to keep you up so late.”
I’m shocked that I was so distracted tonight that the dangers of being out and about in a strange country never once entered my head.
“Don’t be. I’ve had the best evening in such a long time. Come on, beautiful. Let’s get you home for some sleep.”
I put my mug down on the table then lift my shoes and put them in my bag. I’m going home barefoot, my party piece. I’m not a fan of shoes at all. I’m always barefoot at home. I think that might have come from my time with Martin, because I always had to be fully dressed from the moment I got up to the moment I went to bed, shoes and all. It’s pleasurable now to have that freedom of choice, and I choose to be free of shoes.
We leave his house and walk down the street and turn slightly left. His hotel is sitting on the corner of the square. There are still people walking around, but not as many as earlier this evening.
“It’s so easy to get lost here. All the streets look the same.”
“Just remember, most streets always lead back to this square. You find the square; you find the hotel.”
“Handy to know. I’m terrible with directions.”
“I’ll bear that in mind.” He turns and winks at me as we enter the hotel lobby. “Well, I’ve had a good evening, Harleigh.”
“Me too, Gio. I guess it’s goodbye.”
“I’ll settle for goodnight.” He leans in and places a kiss on my cheek.
I thought I would have frozen, fainted, or freaked out at the contact, but I didn’t. I smile brightly at him, nod, and say, “Goodnight, Giovani.”
I turn around as quick as my tired, drunken legs will take me. The concierge holds the lift doors open for me and I press level two for my room. I lift my hand and wave to Giovani as the doors close. We never take our eyes off one another until we’re out of sight. Even then, my eyes don’t leave the spot they were looking at through closed doors.
I exit the lift and make my way to my room. I take out my phone and type a message to my brother.
Gavin – I had an amazing night. Thank you for sending me here.
He’s going to know I’m drunk by that text, because I never text with such enthusiasm. I push through my room door and stumble inside, making sure I’m secure with the door locked. I just hope I can sleep in this strange room alone.
A moment later, my phone rings in my hand. I answer it quickly, trying not to disturb any other guests, and lie down on my bed in an extremely unladylike position.
“Do you never sleep?” I ask my brother.
“Time difference. It’s only the back of one here. I take it you’re just home.”
“Yip. I’m a tad tipsy.”
“I gathered as much. I didn’t think I’d hear from you at this time of morning otherwise. Did you go out alone, or have you made new friends?”
“New friends. The owner of this hotel is Scottish. Him and his brother kept me company tonight. I’ve had one too many cocktails, but it was so much fun. I even sang on karaoke; can you believe that?” I giggle at the memory.
“I’m glad you’re having a good time, honey. It’s good to hear you so happy.”
“Oh, no brotherly talk about being out with strange men?”
He laughs. “No. You’re a big girl. But if anyone hurts you, I’ll be on the first flight to kick some arse.”
I shrug and close my eyes. “Okay. I need sleep. I love you, Gav.”
“I love you too, Harl. Sleep tight.”
I hang up my phone, toss it on the bed beside me, and curl into the pillows. My tired, aching body is in heaven. This is only the first day. By the end of this holiday I won’t want to go back to my boring, normal life. I might need another holiday to get over this one.
Chapter 6
Giovani
I look at the time and it’s eleven a.m. Lucca is still passed out on the couch. I’ve tried to rouse him several times, but it’s a pointless task with his drunken arse. I’ll let him sleep it off, and rather than give Harleigh directions, I’ll accompany her to Michael’s Eco Bar. I’d much rather get to know Harleigh better than babysit my brother, as much as I love him.
I don’t know what it is about this woman that has gotten under my skin, but I want to spend time with her. I want to get to know her, warts and all. I know she has a lot of stories to tell; it’s written all over her features when she’s around people, but that isn’t frightening me away. I think it’s encouraging me to get to know her more, which is out of the norm for me.
Since my ex fucked me over about three years ago, women have been off my agenda, period. I’ve had my fair share of heartache and misery, but being out here in Bulgaria makes everything happy and cheerful. It covers over my history and allows me to enjoy my life. Spending time with holiday makers, making their holiday memorable, sun, sea, and cocktails, it keeps my mind busy. Well, that was until Harleigh walked into my hotel and made me question what I want out of life.
I grab my phone, wallet, and keys. I’m on a high to get to Harleigh, spend the day with her, showing her places I love, and I just love everything about Bulgaria. I won’t get fed up of showing her the sights. I’m pretty sure we can cram so much into four weeks if she wants a tour guide.
I exit my house and enter the street. I practically jog around to my hotel. It’s too hot for any kind of exercise, but I don’t care. The streets are already busy, people exploring, buying trinkets, and soaking up the sun. It’s an instant feel-good factor. Well, it is for me. I guess that’s why I set up home here.
I walk into my hotel foyer. People are laughing, joking, and getting ready to head out into the sun. I acknowledge people that pass me, wave to my receptionist, and instantly spot Harleigh sitting in the sunroom. Sunglasses down on her eyes, book open, hair tied back in a ponytail. It’s a stark contrast to the put together woman I saw yesterday. Today, she seems more comfortable, relaxed even. It’s good to see. I’m wondering how much of that relaxed look has got hangover written all over it. I’m surprised she’s up at all. It’s good that she isn’t like my brother - still dying.
I approach her quietly, taking in her beauty. She’s totally different to any other woman I know, because even though she’s stunning, she doesn’t realise how beautiful she is. She acts so blasé, which I love about her.
“Good morning.” I smile brightly.
Harleigh looks up and smiles back at me. “Good morning, Gio. You look… okay.” She giggles, and it’s the best sound in the world. “No one would think I’m a teacher and editor. That came out wrong. What I meant to say is that you look good considering how I feel. I woke up with a herd of elephants dancing in my head. Alcoho
l is the devil.”
I chuckle and sit down beside her on the spare seat. “I don’t get hangovers very often. My brother, on the other hand… I couldn’t even wake him this morning. I did think about turning the hose onto him, but a) I don’t think I could listen to his childish moaning, and b) he’s still lying in my living room. The cleaning up would be left to me, and I’d much rather be showing you the sights.”
“I know how Lucca feels. I’m not used to drinking so much, but it was good to let my hair down. I’m not sure I’ve had the best idea sitting in a glass room when it’s so warm outside.” We both laugh. “So, you said about directing me to an Eco Bar.”
“I did. But, since I have time on my hands, if you like, I can accompany you there and show you some sights.”
Harleigh looks at me. She looks like a deer caught in headlights. I didn’t mean to startle her; it was the last thing I intended to do.
“Only if you don’t mind,” I push forward.
“I don’t want to put you out.” She smiles weakly at me.
“I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t want to be.”
“Okay,” she says, a little too much like if she doesn’t say okay, she’d run in the opposite direction. “Do I need to do anything or wear anything specific for an Eco Bar?”
I shake my head. “Nope. As you are is perfect. Are you ready?”
“I am. I’m really looking forward to seeing this bar. I looked it up on Facebook and the pictures look amazing.”
“Pictures do it no justice.”
I stand up and wait for Harleigh to put her book in her bag, grab her hat, and stand up. I hold my hand out to her without thinking. She looks on edge again, as if warring with herself whether she should hold my hand or not. Yesterday, when I met her, she was like a skittish mouse, but last night she was more relaxed and herself. I’m hoping that in time she will relax more and realise I’m not out to hurt her in any way. I want to see the person I saw last night all the time. That’s what I will set out to do.
“I won’t bite, I promise,” I smile at her.
She nods and holds her hand out to mine. I see her hesitate, but she finally takes it. I could have taken her hand for her, but I don’t want to push her to do things she’s clearly not ready to do. I will never push any woman; it isn’t in my nature.
We walk through the hotel slowly.
“Good morning, Giovani,” says Horatio, my doorman. “Beautiful day for exploring.” He raises his brows and lifts his hat to me and Harleigh.
“It is indeed, Horatio. This is Harleigh. Harleigh, this is Horatio. If you ever need anything when I’m not around, just give him a shout.”
“Anytime.” Horatio holds his hand out to Harleigh. “I never sleep. You’d think I live on this door. Come find me anytime and I’ll help you.”
“Thank you. Everyone is so kind.” Harleigh smiles and tightens her grip on my hand. It’s as if she’s a little nervous of Horatio. I’m not sure if she’s even aware that she did it.
“Well, we’ll be on our way.” I walk away from my doorman and Harleigh follows at my side. “Horatio is harmless. He’ll take care of you.”
I don’t know why I feel the need to make Harleigh feel at ease all the time, it just comes naturally. I like to help people when I can, but Harleigh is different and I can’t put my finger on what makes her unique.
“I get the feeling he has a story.”
“He does. He lost his wife, Deeanna, of forty years about eighteen months ago. He practically lives in the hotel. I don’t mind. I pay him extra and it keeps him active and possibly alive, because I think he’d give up and end up with Deeanna if he was at home all the time.”
“No kids?”
“Two sons. They both live in Sofia. They visit frequently. Nothing will ever make him leave Nessebar. This is his home.”
“I get it. I’m a hopeless romantic. He probably feels a connection to Deeanna here.”
“I thought you might believe in love at first sight and romance.” I smile and navigate us along the cobbled streets.
“You don’t?” Harleigh turns to me, still holding my hand, studying every move I make. I like this inquisitive side of her.
“I think I once did. I have Italian in my blood. It’s a part of the Italian dream. Love, family, happiness.”
“So, what made you lose that faith in love and happiness?”
“Life, I think. I’ve been thrown a few curveballs. Let’s just say that relationships have never been my strong point.”
I speak openly and freely. I don’t feel like I need to hide who I am from Harleigh. She’s genuinely interested in me as a person, and it may just make her relax if she knows everything about me.
Harleigh nods and turns back to face the way we’re walking. “You and me both. People suck at times, huh?”
I nod. “They do. I’m guessing you have a story to tell too?”
She nods sombrely. “I do. I think we all do. I tell my pupils and authors that everyone has a story to tell.”
I don’t want to push her. If she wants to tell me her life story, she will in her own time. I don’t plan on going anywhere.
“Oh, wow.” She looks over at an old shop attached to someone’s house. A black Labrador is sitting outside with his owner. “Are all the shops like this here?”
“Pretty much. Bulgaria is an old town. Old blood. People live to a ripe old age here. Looking at it you’d think people were living in the dark ages, but it works for them. Would you like to have a look inside?”
“Do we have time?”
“Absolutely.”
I lead the way into the shop. We acknowledge the owner sitting at the door. He remains sitting in the sun.
“Do they make everything themselves?”
“Some people do. Pottery and lace are high amongst the things people make here.”
She picks up a large, what I would call, casserole bowl. It’s brightly painted in orange and browns.
“Do you mind if I buy a few things?” she asks.
“No, go ahead. The hotel isn’t far from here if we need to make a stop off to take things back.”
The bright smile on Harleigh’s face is infectious. Watching her pick up some trinkets should be boring, but I find everything about her intriguing. I offer to take her items to allow her to browse at her leisure. I don’t mind shopping; besides, the inside of these small shops are cooler than outside. It’s no hardship being here with a beautifully kind woman.
“My mum will love these dishes.” She picks up a smaller casserole dish at the front of the store where the owner is sitting. She hands him everything and he calculates the cost in his head.
“Eighty-three lev.”
Harleigh hands over the cash and I take her bag from the owner.
“Keep the change.” She waves at the old guy.
Seven lev isn’t a lot to us, but to Bulgarians who rely on tourists, it is.
“I could get used to this place. Everyone is so extremely kind.”
I take her hand and we walk along the side street slowly.
“You won’t come across many unpleasant Bulgarians. They live for the summer season and enjoy meeting the tourists. This is Michael’s Eco-bar,” I point to my right where a small shack is situated. There are already some people queueing up for it opening at twelve o’clock.
“Wow! It looks very… pokey.” She smiles.
“It is. But it’s magical inside. Just you wait until you see it. People come from all over Bulgaria just to capture it. People queue up all day to get in.”
“I don’t think I’ve ever been this excited to see a bar before.” She giggles infectiously.
The door opens to the bar and the people in front of us head inside. I take Harleigh’s hand and lead her down the small, narrow steps. It’s like Aladdin’s cave inside. I can’t wait to see her expression.
“Good afternoon,” says a young girl as she allows us to enter and hands us a drinks menu.
“Oh. My. God.”
I look over my shoulder and catch Harleigh’s expression as she gazes around the small cave. I take her out back, up a few stairs and over a little bridge to a booth where we can still catch some sun, watch the turtles, and enjoy a drink.
“This is amazing. I…” she sits down beside me and watches the small turtles swim in the little pool. “I honestly feel speechless.”
“It’s something else, right?”
“It’s beautiful.”
I put my menu down on the table. I should know it like the back of my hand. “The cocktails are to die for as well.”
“Well, since you’re the expert, I’ll let you decide for me.”
The waitress walks over to us to take our order. “Can we have two of your most asked for cocktails? We’ll let you decide.”
I’m not good at deciding for people, so I’ll take the easy way out and let the waitress decide for us. To be quite honest, there probably aren’t many I haven’t tried. Lucca and I like coming here for a little escape. My parents love it. They rave about it to friends and family. My brother is the drinks picker. He knows all about what to mix with what. I can see him working in a cocktail bar one day.
“This is breath-taking.”
The waitress places two tall glasses down in front of us. The green liquid looks cool and enticing.
“Thank you.” Harleigh addresses the waitress. She lifts her glass, looks at it curiously, and raises it to me. “Cheers.”
I clink my glass with hers and watch in amusement as she takes a delicate sip of her drink.
“Oh, it tastes just like juice. I did wonder if I’d be sick from the sight or smell of another alcoholic beverage so soon today, but I could get used to this.”
I chuckle at her innocence. “I always thought teachers would have to be silent alcoholics with everything they face daily.”
Harleigh turns her attention from the small turtle sitting beside her to me. “It’s not so bad. Yes, we have the odd little monster that pushes buttons, but overall, I enjoy my job. I missed it when I didn’t work.”
“Lady of leisure, huh?”
