Written in the Stars (14 page)

It felt good to wake up and be able to breathe through my nose again, and it felt even better to move without any aches. In fact, the only sign of my being sick
that was left was my Rudolph Reindeer of a nose that no amount of makeup would be able to hide.

“How are you feeling?” Erin walked into my room.

“Good enough to join the land of living again,” I replied as I pulled my hair into a ponytail.

“Where are you going?”

“I’m going jogging.” I slipped on my shoes.

“Let’s go shopping instead.” She sat on my bed.

“I haven’t jogged all week. I need this.”

“Okay, but Geoff wanted me to tell you that he won’t be there this morning because he’s off getting things ready for tonight.” She picked up the picture of my mom and me.

“Does he have some kind of celebrity appearance tonight or something?”

“Or something.” She looked at me. “He’s coming here along with rest of your family for dinner.”

“Today’s Friday?” My heart sank when she reminded me.

“Yep.” She grinned.

“That would explain the smell of bread baking.” I sighed.

“
Nonna and some of your aunts have been up since three, baking.”

“My aunts are already here?”

“Yep,” she replied.

“Maybe I can sneak out the back.” I walked out on the balcony. It would take hours for me to get out of the house if my aunts saw me.

“I’ll help you if we go shopping.”

“Fine,” I agreed when I saw my Great Aunt Ana and Ester hovering in the field just below me.

“Yea, follow me.” She jumped up.

I followed closely behind Erin, and hid around the corner while she gave Mario the signal. We waited until he had the aunts’ attention before we darted out the front door, and ran up the street until we were far enough away not to be seen.

“See, I got sneaking out down to a science.” Erin smiled. “I can’t wait to show you the little café Mario takes me to every morning. You’re going to love it.”

I didn’t have the heart to tell her that unless it was new, I already knew of it. I knew the whole town like the back of my hand, and since she was beaming with pride thinking that for once she knew something of Italy that I didn’t, I played along and let her have her moment.

Erin decided that shopping was more important than coffee, so we headed towards the few clothing stores that were in town. I took advantage of the day and picked up a few souvenirs for my Aunt Jackie while Erin bought more clothes. At one point, she tried to get me to try on a dress, but her efforts fell short when I threw it back at her. It was hilarious to watch her try and hang it back up before the clerk could see us. I would have blamed her if something happened to it, and she knew that. After quickly hanging the dress back up, she grabbed my wrist and dragged me out of the store.

“I can’t believe you did that,” she snapped.  

“I can’t believe you thought I would wear a dress.”

“You could have just said ‘no,’ instead of throwing it.” She glared.

“In my defense, I said ‘no’ at least five times before throwing it at you.”

“Maybe try making your point some other way next time,” she said. “Come on; I want to show you our little café.”

There was a magazine with Geoff’s face on the cover, sitting on the table next to us, which the waiter happened to grab before I could.

“
Mi scusi. Lei parla inglese?”
I asked him.

“I’m an American on a quest to perfect
the Italian cuisine.” He smiled proudly as Erin and I looked at him weirdly. “Yes, I speak English.” He mumbled.

“Oh, thank God, because Italian is not coming easy to me,” Erin said.

“Do you mind if I look at that magazine?” I asked him.

“Of course not.”

“Thank you.” I grabbed it from him.

“
What can I start you ladies off with?” he asked.

“We’ll have two cappuccinos, please,” Erin told him.

“Coming right up,” he replied with a flirtatious smile.

“Wow, even in Italy, you have guys mesmerized.” I shook my head.

“What can I say? I have no control over how much sex appeal radiates off of me.”

“Nice, Erin.” I started flipping through the magazine until I found the story about Geoff.

“What does it say?”

“Apparently, he’s missing, and everyone is going crazy trying to find him since he’s already missed a few very important appearances.” Leaving nothing out, I read everything to her, including the horrible things some people said.

“I can’t believe people these days. Why can’t they just leave him alone? Can’t they see he just needs some time?”

“You seem to forget who he really is. He’s a celebrity and being who he is means he has obligations he should keep.”

“Celebrity or not, everyone has the right to disappear for a little while, especially when they’re falling in love. I should hold a press conference so I can give the world a little piece of my mind.”

“
He’s not falling in love, and I’m sure he can handle himself.” I put down the magazine.

“This doesn’t bother you at all?”

“Why should it?”

“Because Geoff is a friend of ours, and doesn’t deserve to be treated like a piece of property.” She started raving.

“He’s been doing this long enough to know what he was getting himself into.”

“Let’s just hope Geoff doesn’t see it before tonight.” She grabbed a menu.

“Hope I don’t see what?” Geoff startled both of us.

“Nothing.” I hid the magazine in my bag.

“May I join you?” he asked.

“Of course,” Erin replied with a huge smile on her face.

“Great, I’m starved.” He jumped the small wrought-iron gate and sat with us.

“So, what’s good here?” He looked at a menu.

“Dude, you’re Geoff Mann.” Our waiter gawked at him.

“Yes, yes I am.” Geoff smiled at him.

“Did you know you’re missing?” the waiter asked him.

“That would depend who’s looking for me.
” Geoff answered.

“A
ccording to the magazine she was just reading that would be everyone who is not sitting at this table.” He pointed at me.

“What magazine?” Geoff eyed me.

“This one.” I glared at the waiter as I handed it to Geoff.

None of us breathed as we watched him read the article. His eyebrows
raised a couple of times, and he shook his head once before placing the magazine on the table.

“I’ll have a cappuccino please,” Geoff told the waiter. “Oh, and I appreciate it if we keep our little meeting private.”

“Absolutely, mum’s the word,” the waiter replied.

“Do you believe that he won’t tell anyone you’re here?” I asked Geoff.

“Not in a million years. One of the many things I’ve learned over the years is that there’s not a soul in the world that won’t talk to money.”

“What are you going to do?” Erin looked worried.

“I’m going to enjoy the rest of the summer with Sophie, and have all the fun I can until my leash goes back on,” he said with a wry smile.

“You’re wrong about one thing,” I said, looking at my menu so he couldn’t se
e me blush.

“What am I wrong about?” He pulled down my menu.

“There is a soul in the world that won’t talk to money.” I said looking him directly in the eyes.

“You’re about the only person in the world I believe when you say that.”

“Hey, what about me; I would never say anything either.” Erin sounded pouty.

“I believe you too, Erin.” He winked at her.

I could tell that Geoff was happy once the subject changed. He didn’t really like bringing up the celebrity in him, since that was exactly who he was trying to hide from. I couldn’t help feeling a little bad for him. I couldn’t imagine living a life not my own, and with the whole world watching.

“Would you ladies like a ride back to the house?” Geoff asked
when we were done.

“We would love…”

“No, I’ve been laid up for almost a week. We’ll walk,” I replied before Erin could finish.

“But, I have a lot of bags to carry and I don’t want to walk back.” Erin glared at me.

“I’ll help you carry them,” I said.

“Better yet, Erin can ride back, and I’ll walk with you.” Geoff smiled at us.

“Works for me.” Erin quickly climbed into the back seat of Geoff’s Mercedes.

“Thanks, Erin.”

“Yep, no problem.” She smiled and then shut the door.

“So, I guess it’s just you and me.” Geoff held out his hand for mine.

“I guess it is.” I tucked my hands into my sweatshirt and started walking.

“
Okay
,” I heard Geoff mumble.

“Did you take care of everything you needed for tonight?”

“There are a few minor details left to button down.” His eyes filled with amusement, and I could have sworn I saw a hint of a smile forming as if I had just confirmed something.

“Good, I wouldn’t want you to forget anything that could help you embarrass me.”

“I have no intention to embarrass you tonight, only to be with you,” he said. “Erin, on the other hand, is a completely different story.”

“I know, and I probably deserve all of it after pranking her all these years. I just hate not knowing what she’s thinking.”

“I want to apologize for not being there when you woke up today. I just thought with all your aunts in the house, it would be best if they didn’t see me leaving your room.”

“It’s okay; I hardly noticed,” I lied. Of course, I noticed he wasn’t there when I opened my eyes. A girl could get used to waking up to a gorgeous man looking back at her every day,
and I hated that I didn’t get to this morning, and that I won’t be able to ever again.

“Thanks for walking me home.” I said once we reached the house.

“I’ll see you tonight.” He didn’t give me a chance to pull away from his hug this time.

“Okay.”

Dreading what the night was to bring, I kept myself busy in the kitchen, hoping it would help keep my thoughts off of how, in a matter of hours, Erin would be singlehandedly trying to ruin my life.

“You look nervous,” Erin teased me.

“Well, I’m not.” I scowled at her.

“Are you sure, because I can see a little bit of worry in your eyes?”

“I’m more than sure,” I replied.

“That’s too bad, because you should be at least a little bit, if not a lot.” She smirked.

“Erin, you have yet to embarrass me, so I’m not worried,” I lied.

“Sophie, ‘yet’ is tonight.” She smiled and then walked out of the kitchen.

Erin knew me better than anyone, and she knew things I would never in a million years want anyone other than her to know, especially Geoff, who I still didn’t believe about not wanting to embarrass me. This is
an once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for both of them, and I was just going to have to figure out how to turn the tables.

While rolling dough, I started racking my brain, trying to remember all the things I had done that Erin could use against me. I had the one thing that could reveal my deepest secrets at home, so there was no way she could use that.

Unless she had taken pictures of my journal.
Fear raced through me. “She wouldn’t think about doing that.” I mumbled quietly.

I felt a little more at ease after realizing there was nothing she could use against me.

“Geoff’s here,” Erin sang into my ear, and I immediately stopped what I was doing and ran upstairs.

“You can’t hide up there the whole night!” she yelled at me.

My whole body tingled with excitement. Just the thought of him being near him made me feel like a little girl on Christmas morning, and I couldn’t stand still. I started pacing as both my excitement and fear grew.

“You can do this,” I told the reflection in the mirror. “What is that?” I pulled a clump of dough out of my hair. “That would have been embarrassing.” I tossed it into the garbage and looked over myself to make sure there was no more food substance anywhere on me.

“Sophie, let’s just get this over with.” Erin knocked on my door. I took a deep breath, fixed my hair, and then opened the door.

“Lead the way.” I smirked and pushed past her.

“Oh, wait. What is this?” She pulled a piece of paper out of her pocket. “Your eyes are like the twinkling stars that light my night sky.” She started reading the lyrics I had written for Geoff when I was twelve.

“Where did you get that?” My heart sank. How could I forget the on
e thing, other than my journal that could take me down?

“I’ve had it since the night of the concert. You know, the night you were going to sing this to him.” She grinned.

“I thought I threw that away.”

“You did, but then I took it out and, lucky for me, I saved it hoping – no, praying – that a moment like this would come
along. I just never thought I would actually get to use it against you for the guy you wrote it for.” Her lips formed a devilish smile.

I stood there thinking of every imaginable way of getting it out of her hands, but she had a death grip on it, and I knew it I was going to have to get physical, something I was more than willing to do.

“Erin, this is far worse than anything I have ever done to you. Please don’t do this,” I tried pleading first.

“This doesn’t come close to getting even with you, but it is a great start,” she replied, and then took off down the stairs, with me tailing close behind, trying to grab any part of her.

I backed off as soon as we reached the section of the stairs where people could see us. Bringing unwanted attention in my family was not a good thing, and something we would hear about for hours.

I saw Geoff the moment I turned the corner. He was standing across the room with most of my family surrounding him. Well, the younger part of my family. The older relatives only knew him as little Giovanni, and not mega superstar Geoff Mann, so they didn’t care.

I couldn’t help smiling as I watched him politely put up with girls ranging from seven to twenty hanging on him and begging for pictures. My smile quickly faded when I saw Erin happily make her way to him, and somehow made it out alive after stealing him from the girls.

I rolled my eyes and shook my head as I walked into the kitchen, hoping there was a knife perfectly positioned for me to walk into it.

“I can’t believe a stupid song is going to ruin my life,” I mumbled when I leaned up against the counter next to Mario.

“Do I want to know?” he asked me.

“My life will soon be over.” I sighed.

“Oh, that’s nice,” he teased me. “He definitely has a way with girls.” Mario nodded towards Geoff.

“Yes, he certainly does.” I looked at Geoff. “And he’s really good at working a room.”

“He may want to start working his way over here before my sister gets here,” Mario said.

“Why?”

“Greta has been crazy in love with him longer than you have. She’s the president of every Geoff Mann club. I’m talking crazy stalker status here,” he explained.

“Does she know he’s going to be here?” I could feel the smile on my face grow with excitement.

“No, I’m not stupid enough to tell her something like that. I really like Geoff.” He smiled.

“Mario, you have no idea how much I love you right now.” I kissed his cheek and waited by the door for Greta to arrive.

I knew I was the last person Greta wanted to greet her, since she has hated me our whole lives, but to put my evil plan in motion, I had to make sure she didn’t see Geoff until I was ready for her to.

“Greta, it’s so good to see you.” I played nice and hugged her when she walked in, keeping her back to the room.

“Sophie, is so not good to see
voi,”
she said. She has always talked to me by mixing Italian and English. I never understood why, since she was versed in both, so I came up with the conclusion she did it for attention. Not sure what attention, but with Greta, there was never a logical explanation. “When do
voi
go home?”

“Soon.” I smiled at her. “But first, I have a surprise for you.”

“Is it going to kill me?”

“One can only hope.” Her mouth dropped from my reply. “I’m just joking. Believe me, this is the best surprise of your life. Wait here.” I made sure to leave her where she couldn’t see Geoff.

“Do you mind if I borrow him for a minute?” I asked Erin.

“Sophie, we were just talking about you.” She smirked.

“I’m sure you were, but there is someone here that is dying to meet Geoff.” I grabbed his hand.

“I’ll give you five minutes,” she replied.

“I only need one,” I told her before leading Geoff to Greta.

“Thanks for saving me. I had no idea what she was talking about,” Geoff said.

“No one usually does.” I smiled.

I knew all I had to do was get him to Greta and neither of them would have a chance to embarrass me, and I would be able to enjoy the night without worry. I just hated that I wouldn’t be with Geoff, since I knew Greta would be stuck to him like glue, and kill anyone who even tried to steal him.

“Wait, just in case I don’t get the chance to talk to you tonight, there’s something I want you to know.” Geoff stopped me right before we reached Greta.

“Okay, is it bad?” I asked, since he sounded nervous.

“No.” He shook his head. “I wanted to let you know that I remember you, and not because of what Mario reminded me about you.”

“If not Mario reminding you, then how do you remember me?”

“I knew you the moment I looked into your eyes the morning on the beach, that I’ve seen them before, and then when Erin was just rambling about some song you wrote me the night we met at my concert, it hit me they’re the same I eyes I got lost in seven years ago.” He melted my heart.

“Six years ago,” I corrected him.

Man, why did he have to go there? After telling me that, there was no way I could deliver him to the she-devil. Tonight was just going to have to play out without my devious plan.

“OMG!” Greta’s high-pitched squeal startled everyone in the house.

“Geoff, I’m so sorry,” I said with remorse.

“For what?”

“For her,” I managed to say before being forcefully pushed away from Geoff.

“Geoff Mann! You’re Geoff Mann!” Greta screamed right before she put him in a python hold. “This is the best night of my life. I’m your biggest fan, and president of your fan club. I have everything of yours, except for a lock of hair.” I felt horrible as I watched him cringe when she ran her fingers through his hair. “Can I have little piece?” she asked him.

“No, you can’t.” He glared at me.

“That was really low.” Erin walked up to me. “Brilliant, but low.”

“I feel horrible.”

“Yeah, sure you do. Well, I guess I’ll save this for another time.” She tucked my song in her back pocket. “I’ll just keep looking at your face anytime I need to feel good.”

“What’s wrong with my face?”

“Jealousy, envy, and guilt.
” She smiled.

“It is not!
” I snapped.

“It’s filled with remorse.
” She joined Mario in the kitchen.

I didn’t think about that part.
I sighed. Stopping one disaster from happening only created an even bigger one, and I hated Greta even more when I saw her holding Geoff the way I had been longing to.

Mario was right. Greta was glued to Geoff all night and if anyone got too close, her eyes burned red. I thought for sure she was going to go postal when Erin tried to save him.

“Your cousin is a complete nut job,” Erin growled. 

“You should marry Mario and take her off my hands,” I teased her.

“I’ll take her off your hands, all right. I’ll take her to the ocean and feed her to the sharks.” She stormed off.

For the first time in my life, I regretted pranking someone, and I couldn’t shake the guilt from putting Geoff in the middle of a nightmare.

“
Geoff sta pre cantare!”
one of my nieces yelled with excitement.

“What did she say?” Erin leaned into me.

“Geoff is going to sing.”

“About time.” She put down the plates on the c
ounter and joined everyone in the living room to listen.

“I’m not going to watch, I’m not going to watch,” I repeated as I set the table, but it didn’t matter how many times I chanted it, because as soon as I heard Geoff start to play the piano, it was like an invisible force pulling me to watch him. I leaned up against the wall furthest away from him and listened.

I closed my eyes and listened as his velvet voice filled the house with one of my favorite songs. Once again, I was the girl wishing he was singing to me, and I only had myself to blame. I opened my eyes just in time to see Greta sit next to him and rest her head on his shoulder. It wasn’t until I had to witness the disturbing scene of her kissing his cheek that I got sick to my stomach and ducked back into the kitchen before he could see that I was watching.

“Is that envy I see in your eyes?” Erin asked.

“No, it’s irritation that I was left to set the table alone.”

“Oh, please, I saw you standing in the shadows, listening with the rest of us.” She grabbed some napkins.

“I was trying to get someone’s attention for help.”

“You’re a horrible liar.” She laughed. “Let’s not forget who put Geoff in the hands of
Satan’s daughter.”

“Believe me, I haven’t.”

“You haven’t what?” Geoff scared me.

“I haven’t found the forks.” I said the first thing that came to mind.

“They’re right in front of you.” He pointed to the table.

“Oh, someone must have moved them.”

“So, about your cousin?” he started.

“Mario?”

“You know who I’m talking about.” He glared at me.

“Geoff.” Greta’s whining voice was getting closer.

“Speak of the she-devil,” I said.

“You will pay for this. You know that, right?”

“I’m so sorry,” I whispered.

“There you are.” Greta practically wrapped her whole body around his. “Why are you talking to the most boring person in the house?” She glared at me.

Please say something about liking me,
I pleaded in my head.

“I was just asking for something to drink,” he s
aid, glaring at me.

“Sophie, get him something to drink!” Greta ordered me.

“No problem.” I gave her an evil grin before I calmly walked over to the sink, filled up a glass with water. I calmly walked back to her, and poured it on her head. “Whoops,” I simply said.

“I’m telling!” She almost starting crying and ran off.