The Juliet Club by Suzanne Harper Read Free Book Online Page B

noses.”
    â€œWhat a pity,” Giacomo said, trying not to smile. “I guess today is not your day.”
    â€œHmmph.” Benno cast one more scowl at the courtyard. Giacomo, he reflected, had it far easier when it came to romance, for he liked all different kinds of girls: tall, short, plump, thin, blondes, brunettes, redheads. Once he had even dated a girl who shaved her head.
    But Benno couldn’t lose his heart to just anyone. “It’s a curse,” he muttered.
    â€œWhat’s that?”
    He gave Giacomo a meaningful look. “High standards.”
    Giacomo grinned at him. “Who is this perfect girl you keep waiting for? Describe her to me and when I find her, I’ll point her out to you.”
    â€œI’m not looking for perfection,” Benno protested. “I just want someone who is pretty, smart, kind, and loving. Oh, and fun to talk to. And probably talented in some way.” He thought about that for a moment. “Maybe she sings or likes to paint.”
    â€œNice to see you’re so easy to please,” Giacomo said drily. “Any preference for hair color?”
    â€œOh, well, when it comes to that . . .” Benno shrugged carelessly. “That’s up to God.”
    His mobile phone rang. He took one look at the text message and jumped to his feet. “That’s my uncle, he’s going crazy because I’m not at work yet and I still have to pick up the letters to Juliet—”
    â€œDon’t worry, I’ll do it for you,” Giacomo offered as he tossed the apple core in a trash barrel. “Who knows, I may meet a new friend inside!” He favored Benno with a wicked smile and headed for the door of Juliet’s House.
    By the time Lucy wandered back to Kate’s side, the tour guide was wrapping up her speech by reciting words that she had clearly said many, many times before.
    â€œIf you close your eyes, perhaps you can imagine an ardent young man standing here—”
    Somewhere behind Kate, a young girl began begging her mother to let her buy a souvenir in the gift shop.
    The tour guide’s voice became louder. “—he is hoping, yearning, praying to see the girl of his dreams—”
    Somewhere to her left, a group of teenagers shrieked with joy to see one of their friends appear on the balcony above.
    â€œâ€”he does not know what he will do if he can’t catch at least a glimpse of her—”
    Somewhere to Kate’s right, a baby began to wail.
    And just as she was feeling that she had to get out of here right now before she was driven insane, she saw the boy again. He was in the sunlight now, strolling around the statue, smiling as his eyes swept carefully over the crowd.
    Then, just as the tour guide said, “Imagine him, heartsick and lovelorn, standing beneath this very balcony!” the boy stopped, just so, beneath the balcony.
    It was a pose calculated to draw attention to him, and it did.
    Lucy whispered in her ear, “Look, it’s Romeo come to life!”
    Kate rolled her eyes.
    After a long pause, the boy began moving toward the crowd. Lucy eased herself to the left, casually placing herself in the perfect position to intercept him on his path. Kate sniffed at this obvious ploy and turned her attention back to the tour guide, who was saying, “Or a balcony very similar to this one, at any rate—”
    Kate continued listening as the tour guide moved on to talk about Verona’s social hierarchy in the Middle Ages. It was a thorough, comprehensive, and detailed explanation, and the crowd soon began to get restless. Kate trained her gaze on the tour guide, not deigning to look over to see what kind of silly drama was being played out to her left.
    Well, just one quick glance. The boy had reached Lucy. Kate heard him say, in a deep, warm voice, “Buon giorno.”
    â€œHi there!” Lucy said cheerfully.
    â€œAh, you are American?” he