Our love story: part 18

Eight months! So embarrassing, but it needs to be said: it's taken me eight months to write the next installment of this love story.

Guys, I have loads of excuses. They include selling and buying homes, packing, unpacking, figuring out new schools, new neighborhoods, and where the closest library is. Okay, being lazy is also one of them. But it's time to get this story moving!

Here we go:

Friday, May 18. I woke up the next morning with one thought in my head, "Marco kissed me last night!"

Of course, once she was coherent, Liz wanted to hear more details about what had gone down the night before. For months before this trip, she'd told me what a great guy Marco was. But now that we'd kissed, the protective side was coming out of her and I could tell she wasn't sure if Marco was good enough for me (sign of a true friend is that he/she thinks you are one of the greatest people on the planet).

I was nervous to meet up with the boys for today's adventure. I wondered if Marco was regretting kissing me and if our relationship would slide back to what it had been two days before. But that shows how little I actually knew him. Once Marco commits to something, he's all in.

Today was finally the day we'd explore the famous buildings of Florence. The boys grabbed breakfast and the four of us walked out and made our way to the Florence Cathedral and Baptistery complex. The outside of the Cathedral had been beckoning me ever since we first arrived in Florence. I was pretty sure the anticipation of going inside was what was giving me all the nervous energy I was experiencing. Because me practically jumping up and down had nothing to do with Marco kissing me the night before.

Not at all.

Marco and Toby had been smart to drag us out of bed early in order to get into the Cathedral. As we stood in line to get tickets, I studiously avoided eye-contact with Toby. His annoying grin spoke volumes and I knew he was eager to interrogate me me about what had happened the night before. But I was pretty sure Marco hadn't said anything to him. I surreptitiously stole a glance at Liz. The look she gave me said it all. She'd told him!

I glared at the Cathedral. I just wouldn't look at anyone then.

Tickets in hand, we entered the Cathedral. It was beautiful, just as promised. But this cathedral visit was unlike our previous ones.

We made our way to a door with a group of people and slowly made our way up the narrowest, steepest stairs I'd ever encountered. The steps seemed like they'd never end when, finally, we emerged close to the roof, but still practically hugging the wall near the ceiling.

The view from the Florence Cathedral

We were walking along a narrow passage right next to the the paintings that made this cathedral famous. I wasn't sure who had painted them, but being right next to them was amazing.

After our walk along the circumference was over (and if you go to Florence, paying the extra to do that tour is absolutely worth it!), we then went on top of the duomo and took in the sights of outdoor Florence. I thought I was playing things cool with mingling and not attaching myself to Marco when he laughingly approached me and asked, "Did you just hear the conversation I had with Liz?"

"No, what was it about?"

"She confronted me and asked where I had kissed her best friend!"

I groaned. This was so embarrassing. "What did you tell her?"

Marco stood close to me and pointed out down below, "I told her it happened right there last night, in that piazza." His eyes twinkled and something in his gaze told me he'd like to replay the incident. I smiled back.

Toby looked over and started to make his way towards us. No way. I was not having this conversation with him in front of Marco. I walked towards Toby and looked at him expectantly, "Yes?" It was time to get this over with.

"So, you and Marco, huh? I told you." He started laughing.

I gave in and started laughing too, "Yeah, you were right."

"Well? What's going on?"

"I don't know! It's too soon to say anything. I like him and I'll leave it at that."

Toby smiled.

I wondered, "Why? What did Marco say?"

"He said the same thing."

Smart guy.

Toby and me. See my smile? Marco took the photo; I was smiling at him.

Okay, so everyone knew that Marco and I had kissed. Surprisingly, I was okay with that,especially considering what a private person I was (yeah, obviously I'm not that private anymore because I'm now sharing this with the whole www land. What can I say, people change).

As we left the Cathedral and made our way to the Baptistery, Marco and I walked next to each other while Liz and Toby stayed together. I didn't realize it at the time, but it would be that way the next several weeks. I really would try to make a concerted effort to walk next to Liz or Toby, but Marco and I just naturally gravitated toward each other.

The Baptistery was amazing. I'd learned about the doors in a BYU humanities class and it was unreal seeing them up close. Obviously, they were famous because we had to stand in yet another line just to see them.

After lunch, at yet another pizzeria, we walked around the entire city. Liz wanted to buy souvenirs for  her family and I was content to just take in all the amazingness that is Florence. Marco and Toby walked ahead with Liz and I behind them. Liz would see a cute shop and go in. While she shopped, the three of us stayed outside (I hate shopping). Marco and Toby talked and I'd stare at the people walking past, the bicyclists, the teeny cars, the cobblestone streets, the shuttered windows, the curtained windows, the doorways, the flags....basically, everything. It was just all so gorgeous and unlike anything I'd ever before experienced.

Liz would come out of the store and we'd continue. But within minutes, I was lagging behind, staring at everything. A few times I bumped into passersby and I'd mutter a, "scusi" as they looked worriedly at me. After this happening several times, Marco and Toby confronted me.

"Liz, we're never going to make it back to the hotel before midnight if you continue walking this slow. And you're never going to make it home alive because you're going to get run over."

"What? I'm not that bad! I'm paying attention!"

"No," Toby laughed. "You're not. One street back a car had to skid to a stop because you walked out in front of him."

"I did not! You're making this up!"

One look at Marco's face and I realized Toby was telling the truth.

"It's okay," Marco said. "We have a plan that'll benefit all of us. Come here."

I walked over to Marco and he held his arm out. I put my arm through his. Toby approached my other side and threaded his arm through my other one.

"See? Now you can look all you want and we'll make sure you don't get hurt."

Liz came out of a store and saw what was going on. I gave her a look of exasperation but she just busted out laughing and said, "Good idea, guys!"

After a few blocks of walking between Marco and Toby I realized their idea was a good one. I could concentrate on seeing everything without worrying about little annoyances like where gutters were and if cars were approaching. The two boys steered and I touristed; it was a perfect combination.

Fingers crossed that Part 19 doesn't take another eight months for me to write up!

Oh, and yes, Marco kissed me again that night. It was even better than the previous night. A little more lengthy too. ;)