“Ari!” Jack yelled from behind, his voice growing more distant as I scampered up into the grand open space before the iconic Trevi Fountain, giggling along the way as I skipped up to a small group sitting and admiring its beautiful construction.

  “It's even more beautiful than I imagined,” I exclaimed, holding my stomach and catching my breath,” huh?” I added, looking at the group of wide eyed individuals, who quickly collected their things and speedily went on their way. “We can enjoy it together!” I shouted after the scurrying denizens of Rome.

  “I think you scared them off,” Jack said, catching up, “nothing quite shocks like a drunk American.”

  “Hey!” I squealed. “You're American too!”

  “Exactly.” Jack quipped, “I know from experience.” He watched quietly as I focused intently on the masterfully chiseled faces and exquisite statues adorning the fountain, drawn in by its majesty and waterfalls.

  “Even after a dozen times, its beauty never fades,” Jack admired.

  “This is my first,” I laughed. “We've got a lot of firsts on this trip so far.”

  Looking at the flowing water, an idea grabbed me. Tossing the heels that I held in my hands off to the side, I climbed up and over the ledge.

  “Wait, wait, wait,” Jack said, reaching for my waist, “there's no life guard on duty.”

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  Jack's touch felt light and ticklish on my hips, as I jolted and toppled over, dropping into the fountain and pulling Jack along for the ride.

  SPLASH!

  Like a tipsy mermaid, I rose to the surface, flailing, and spit out water, while wiping it from my eyes as well. I watched the king of the seas rise before me, slicking his hair back, and looking mighty fine in his soaked clothes.

  “You pushed me!” I joked, shoving him playfully as we sat in the water.

  “I felt like you pulled me,” Jack smirked back.

  “You're drunk,” I splashed him.

  “And you're projecting,” he sent a large wave back.

  Back and forth we thrust water at each other, while I loudly cried in playful delight, though certainly creating a stir, and lucky not to attract the attention of officials, regardless of Jack's status.

  We both chuckled, alone together under the starry nighttime sky.

  I rolled my head around, astonished by the fountain once more. “I always wanted to be Anita Ekberg,” I said, reminiscing over the starlet's iconic moment in 'La Dolce Vita.'

  Jack remained quiet for a moment. “I want you to just be...you.”

  Flutters sang throughout my heard, as we locked eyes. Jack's deep browns focused intently on my lips, and mine his.

  Suddenly, we found ourselves leaning forward, his hand reaching up and caressing the side of my face, as he pulled me in. Our lips met gently, softly intertwining, every fiber pulsating with sensation, the which I'd been dreaming of for ages, as my heart near exploded with tender consummation. It was everything I could imagine and more, a place away from the world and held by the vision of perfection. For so long, I had wanted to kiss Jack, and the moment could not have been more magical.

  Just as soon as I re-opened my eyes, beaming, and finding him doing the same, I wobbled over slightly.

  “Whoa,” Jack said, catching me. “Maybe we should get you back?”

  “Maybe...” I hesitated, thinking that I'd much prefer a hotel instead...

  Suddenly, I felt my vision fading on me, muted sounds droning all around.

  I saw Jack's face twist with concern. “Ari!? He said, his voice not reaching across to me, muffled, as I drifted off into blackness.