Read Kiss Me Goodnight in Rome (The Senior Semester Series Book 2) for Free Online Page A

The front door bangs closed as footsteps sound in the kitchen.
    Lexi stands up from my desk chair, and I bound off the bed. “They’re here,” I whisper to her.
    “Duh.” She rolls her eyes. “It’s about time.”
    “Ragazze?” A deep baritone voice calls out.
    “Let’s go!” Lexi pinches my arm lightly, and I follow her into the hallway.
    “Ah! There you are!” A petite woman, Paola, smiles warmly, her dark hair cut short, close to her scalp, a streak of blue slanting across the right side. She throws open her arms and pulls Lexi and me in for hugs, as if we are her long-lost cousins and not the foreign exchange students she got stuck with for the semester.
    “Fantastico!” The deep voice laughs. Gianluca.
    When I turn from the warm embrace of Paola, he stands before me holding a tray of champagne flutes. He smiles broadly and pushes the tray forward. “Take one.”
    Paola and Gianluca Franchetti have arrived home from Spain.
    “What are we cheers-ing to?” Lexi asks holding her flute in front of her face.
    “To your arrival of course!” Paola laughs.
    “Salute,” we all say, clinking glasses and taking a sip of the bubbly prosecco.
    “Benvenuti a Roma.” Gianluca welcomes us warmly.
    “Sit and tell us all about your first week.” Paola smiles, dropping onto the couch.
    Lexi and I follow suit. I sit tucked between Lexi and Paola. I smile nervously at my host parents and duck my head shyly when Paola pats my elbow. Lexi, not a shy bone in her body, launches into a recap of our past few days here. Every detail falls from her lips and I’m impressed she made so many observations in such a short amount of time. She even tells Paola and Gianluca about the hot waiter at Angelina’s Ristorante! For crying out loud, this girl has no shame.
    Paola’s eyes twinkle as she asks follow up questions. “How hot is hot?”
    “A ten,” Lexi says seriously. “But he only has eyes for this girl.” She tosses her thumb in my direction.
    “Uh-oh. Am I going to have to kick this guy’s ass for hitting on you?” Gianluca asks sternly, his eyes widening at me.
    I look up and freeze, my mouth dropping open but no words come out.
    “If that’s the case,” Gianluca holds up his right arm, flexing his bicep, “I’m going to have to start pumping some serious iron.” He laughs loudly at his own joke, “Isn’t that what you Americans say?”
    Lexi giggles. “Maybe in the eighties.”
    Paola rolls her eyes, clearly amused.
    Gianluca chuckles at Lexi’s crack. “Relax, cara.” He turns, facing me. “I’m kidding. You’re in Roma now. Enjoy it!”
    I nod in agreement, the embarrassment of my reaction slowly fading from my cheeks.
    Paola pats my elbow again and turns her head back to Lexi as she asks about the best clubs. Gianluca answers her seriously, spouting off a list of the most happening places. Every now and then, Paola tosses in a suggestion that Gianluca either dismisses or enthusiastically supports.
    The Franchettis are warm, friendly, and overflowing with sunshine and laughter. Not at all like the host parents I expected. I think it’s safe to assume that Lexi and I are living with host-siblings. I smile to myself. It’s as if the pact I made with the girls was supposed to happen. Who else has host parents who will most likely accompany them into clubs, bars, and fun?
    I relax, settling deeper into the couch. Forget about Lexi, I really lucked out in the host family department.
    * * *
    That evening, Gianluca and Paola take Lexi and me out for dinner.
    “I swear I usually cook,” Gianluca promises, placing his hand over his heart.
    Lexi laughs but Paola shakes her head seriously, “No, it’s true. He usually does cook. I’m better at this.” She holds up her wine glass and winks mischievously before taking a sip.
    Gianluca snorts and Paola must kick him under the table because he winces and gives her a look. She blows a kiss at him affectionately.
    Lexi and I laugh.
    “So, this hot