Page 49 of Until He Confesses

Not anymore, so as I remained in his company, I turned the dilemma over and over again in my head, looking for a solution.

I wasn’t particularly hungry, but the cool, late summer breeze blowing across the secluded outdoor patio we sat in made anything that was placed before us enjoyable. I listened to the man speak boisterously and enjoyed his easy nature and then the conversation shifted to women.

“I hear you’re not married,” he mentioned, and I acknowledged this with a nod. Just then he turned to a table in the distance and three very beautiful women waved at us with elegant and coquettish smiles. I stared at them and then turned to meet the man’s eyes glistening with excitement.

‘They’re yours,” he said. “I wanted them to pay a visit to you in New York as I came along, but you refused and insisted on coming out here. So here they are, and I can promise you that they’ll be worth every moment of your time. Anything else you need, just let me know and I’ll ensure it gets to you.”

I appreciated his hospitality, so I smiled in response and took a sip of my wine.

There was no way in hell I was going to accept them, but they did make me briefly think of Callie as I responded and shook my head. Without her in the picture, I wasn’t exactly one to indulge in such frivolities anyway but now more than ever I wasn’t even the least bit tempted. Her very presence had started a simmering beneath my skin, but I had long learned the hard way that nothing would make it go away except her. Since she was not an option, I preferred to just divert my attention to other things and give myself a chance to rest.

“Not interested,” I told him. “Plus, I’ll be sailing away from the city tonight and I really wouldn’t want them stuck with me and away from you for too long.”

He laughed.

“They wouldn’t mind.”

“No, thank you,” I replied, and he gave me a peculiar look, as though he was surprised at my rejection. Thankfully he didn't linger any further or insist on getting his way, so we were able to move on to other matters. The dinner didn’t last long so just before ten we were done, and I was getting ready to leave when I received a call to my cell. I pulled it out of my pocket and was surprised at the name I saw. At first, it was quite difficult to believe but when it finally registered that Callie was indeed the one calling me, I couldn’t help my smile. Just as the car pulled up and the back door was opened for me, I got in and responded.

“Hello,” I said, however, it took a few seconds for her to respond.

“I’m sorry,” she said, and I was immediately alarmed by her apology.

“What do you mean?” I asked. “Are you alright?”

“I’m sorry for bothering you but I think... I think I need your help.”

23

CALLIE

Ihad arrived in Positano from Sorrento safe and sound, but as I stood outside of the train station with the damning realization that I had lost my wallet or better yet that it had been stolen from me I felt my heart start to disintegrate in my chest.

I had done as much research as possible before the trip, and it had said to be careful while taking the train to Positano. It was late so I couldn’t use the bus, which would have been much safer, and the private cars were two hundred dollars a day. I was ready to be careful. I had all my luggage with me until I had been tripped, causing me to fall into the aisle before I got to my seat.

It had been a child I had tripped over. He had suddenly come out of nowhere and although at the time I had been so sorry for almost hurting him, now I realized it had all been planned. My luggage had toppled over as well as my purse and two men passing by had stooped down to help me retrieve my scattered belongings.

And now here I was, outside of the station with my bag intact, but my wallet was missing. I had no money or cards, but I was thankful at least because my passport and phone were still with me. I was on the verge of tears but I knew well enough that it wouldn’t solve anything, so I didn’t even bother letting them fall.

It was now late enough for it to be dangerous for me to be out here alone and on my own in a foreign city, and so my last resort, but undeniably the safest, had been to call the one person I had promised myself I wouldn’t.

“Where exactly are you?” he asked, and I sighed.

“Positano.”

My voice shook as I replied, so I cleared my throat and tried to feel anything but stupid, careless, and truly soaked in bad luck.

“I’m still in Naples,” he said, and my heart sank. “I'll be in Positano tomorrow.”

“Yeah,” I said.

“I’ll send a car to come pick you up.”

I felt terrible at inconveniencing him in this way, so I proffered a different solution.

“I didn’t book my hotel beforehand but there are quite a number of bed and breakfast places around here. I can lodge in one of them and…”

I was so ashamed to ask this that for a moment I started to convince myself sleeping on the street would be a better idea. But as I looked at the dark, narrow, and rocky alley-like streets I couldn’t bear it.