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her around all the museums, spouting wisely about each piece they stood in front of. Mark was more of a mystery; Alex wasn’t sure what exactly he’d do if he were in Rome. She imagined he’d care more for the history of the ancient city, exploring the Coliseum in detail and visiting other historic spots.
    Sighing wistfully to herself, Alex wondered what the two men who haunted her mind were doing at that exact same moment, and if they , too, were thinking of her.
    But then she thought of the man who eclipsed them both, her father. He was always so much fun on vacations. He’d take Alex and Andy to theme parks and join them on all the rides. Her father made life seem exciting, making each moment count. Looking back, it was almost as if he’d known that his time with them would be cut short , but of course, that was impossible. He just lived for the moment and didn’t take anything for granted.
    Full of renewed purpose , Alex decided to follow her father’s lead and do as much as possible on her final day in Rome. She would visit the Vatican, stroll through museums, and absorb as much of the city as she could.
     
    ****
     
    As the sun began to set on Rome, Alex sat alone at a small café, nursing a cappuccino. Ashley had been gone all day, as she’d anticipated even though she’d insisted that she wouldn’t be long. In eight short hours they would be flying away from Europe, back to America.
    It seemed strange to imagine being back home , as Alex sat outside in the lazy evening heat, watching couples walk past, talking excitedly together in a foreign tongue. A faint breeze danced through Alex’s loose blonde hair, stroking her cheek. She glanced at her cell phone, which was positioned on the table before her. She’d text Ashley a few times but heard nothing back.
    Picking up the device , Alex scrolled through her list of contacts and settled on one name, staring at it intently. Drunk on the freedom of being away on vacation, Alex wanted to call him, to hear his voice again. She wanted to speak to Mark. But it had been so long. What would she even say?
    For at least ten minutes Alex looked at her phone and debated whether or not she should call him. In her mind she reread the last letter he had sent her ; he had promised to wait for her, however long that would be. Four years had passed since their romance ended. Shouldn’t feelings have dulled in that time?
    Alex looked at his name on her digital touch screen. His number might not even be the same. But she’d only know if she called. Alex moved her thumb to initiate the call when her phone suddenly beeped to alert her to an incoming text message. It was from Ashley. She was back at the hotel.
    Briefly, Alex was struck numb. She had come so close to calling Mark, but it was as if fate had intervened, distracting her from connecting with him. She paused for a moment, still considering calling him, and then ultimately decided against it, raising her hand to a nearby waiter to ask for the check.
     
    ****
     
    “So how was your date?” Alex asked as she entered the room.
    Ashley was sitting on her bed, already wearing her nightdress, the makeup she’d so carefully applied earlier now scrubbed off.
    Walking in and seeing her like that, with boys the topic of the evening , made Alex think of their bedroom back in Princeton, and the biting realisation that when they returned to America they wouldn’t be able to meet like this anymore overwhelmed her. Alex began to cry, soft, regretful tears.
    “Oh no, what is it? I knew I shouldn’t have left you alone all day . I’m so sorry!” Ashley was instantly by her side, hugging her.
    “No, no, it’s not that .” Alex sniffed.
    “Then what is it?”
    “It’s just… this is our final night together, for goodness knows how long. For four years you’ve always been there for me, and now I have to go and live in a strange city, on my own, and I don’t know if I can do it without you there! I’m going to miss you so