Page 6 of XOXO

Do I tell them I was alone?

“You ok, Violeta?”

“Sorry, I was just thinking about my friend,” I said, panicking, figuring it was best to be safe than sorry. “She wasn’t feeling well.”

“Oh no, that’s awful, is she ok?” Lucia asked.

“Uh… too much to drink,” I laughed.

“Oh, these Brits can drink,” Paola said.

“Uh, yeah they can,” I said, feeling like an idiot because why did I think it was ok to make up a fake friend sick from drinking when I hadn’t even gone out.

The guide let us know we would stop for a snack and then some shopping, which the girls squealed about. The sun popped out for a bit as we walked around after we ate. Everyone seemed to appreciate it and I felt the sun gave me a bit of life. The warmth felt good and the company made it even better.

“So, Violeta, are you married, dating or single?” Paola asked in Italian as she looked at a rack of dresses.

“Single,” I said, searching for the perfect keychain.

“Met any cute English men?” Lucia asked.

I chuckled, finding a keychain with a cute cottage on it. “No, I haven’t really looked. Have…have you?”

“We have. Might as well get a taste, you know, see how they stack up against Italian men.” Lucia waggled her brows.

I laughed. “And?”

“I haven’t had luck,” Paola pouted. “But Lucia has been getting all the good ones.”

“Good luck?” I raised my brow.

“I can't say I’m disappointed with the men here,” Lucia smirked. “Rendezvous has been matching me with some good-looking ones.”

“Rendezvous?” I played dumb.

“Oh yes, it’s an app to find men,” Paola said, grabbing a shirt.

“Dating app?” I asked.

“Sure,” Lucia chuckled. “If dating is only one night.”

“So, it’s a hook-up app?” Did I sound too desperate?

“Yeah, if you want love, it’s not the app for you,” Lucia said. “I mean there is an option for more, but everyone knows Rendezvous is all about hook-ups. They even have usernames to keep your identity safe unless you want to tell them.”

“If you want love for one night, it’s the perfect app,” Paola grinned. “You should download it and have some fun.”

“Maybe,” I said, taking my items to the register.

“Nope, give me your phone. Paola and I will make you the perfect profile,” Lucia held out her hand.

“I don’t know,” I said, walking away.

“What do you have to lose?” Lucia raised her brow.

“You don’t have to use the profile, but Europe might be a little more fun with some company at night,” Paola said, holding out her hand.

Before I thought better of it, I handed my phone over. They squealed, talking quickly about what to put on my profile and I prayed no one understood Italian with how they were talking about my best ass-ets. I had a profile by the time we reached Oxford, and I had my first match by the end of the tour with David.