Well, everyone, tonight's our final dinner together. I've really enjoyed getting to

know all of you and hope you'll come visit again soon.

Mateo looks directly at me as he says this, and this time I don't think I'm reading into it.

I smile back at him.

Okay, everyone say their favorite part of the trip.

Oh, definitely when I nailed the Renegade Dance in a

kayak. It already has a million views. So sick. Oh my. Well probably all the

souvenirs I bought.

That cuckoo clock with a cat eating pasta inside

is going to remind me of this trip every hour of every day.

Woman, we're going to need another suitcase to get all this junk home.

I can't wait to send a photo of me and my Harvard t-shirt at the top of the falls

into the alumni newsletter, Classic Dodd.

What about you, Claire?

Well, I guess I'd have to say the Besparide.

Ooh!

Even as I feel myself start to blush, I lock eyes with my tail. He gives me a self-satisfied smirk, and I feel butterflies start to swarm in my stomach. The rest of the group is oblivious

to the silent conversation happening between us. That was a beautiful view.

It was. I would like to propose a toast. Let's all raise a

glass of this delicious homemade limachello. Thank you all for coming on this journey and letting me show you a bit of my Italy.

Cheers!

Here here!

...