Return to Pearly Whites

By K. Gracie

Brooke spends most of her time at university. When she’s not in class, she’s either in the library studying or working at the bookstore. She doesn’t have time for a life... or so she thinks until she meets Craig.

Tall, blond and gorgeous Craig finds himself attracted to bookish Brooke like a magnet. She’s nothing like the women who stick to him like glue, and yet there’s something about the girl that makes him want to pursue her more than ever.

• Language: English
• Publisher: K. Gracie
• Release date: Jul 23, 2019
• ISBN: 9780463454633

K. Gracie

The Young Roman Writer writes romance novels about first love involving Italian heroines.

Book preview

Return to Pearly Whites

By K. Gracie

Copyright © 2019 K. Gracie

All Rights Reserved

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return it to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Dedication

I would like to dedicate this special book to my daughters, who inspired me to write about young love.

From the Author

Wouldn’t it be great to fall in love at least once in your lifetime? To find that real love that lasts an eternity. It doesn’t mean it must last for many years, but it’s the kind of love you never forget. That special first love that nobody can take away from you. It would be fantastic to feel that kind of love at least once in your life. Well, this book is exactly about the kind of love that when you find it, you hold on for dear life and hope it never ends.

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Table of Contents

Prologue

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Prologue

Hi, my name is Brooke Orlandi and this is my story. I’m nineteen years old and I live in Rome, Italy. I’m Italian in every sense of the word except for my name. Are you wondering why an Italian girl would have an English name like Brooke? I’m asked this question often, and the answer is very simple. You see, my mom loves the show The Bold and the Beautiful and when I was born, she had to name me after one of the characters.

It’s not easy having an English name in Rome, and sometimes I really wish I had a normal Italian name like Francesca, Maria or Laura. Anyhow, as if this isn’t enough, I’ve had to put up with my mother’s passion for American stuff and I’ve had to learn English to make her happy, so after years of private lessons I am now proficient enough to go to an American university in Rome – the John Lewis University to be exact.

So, today is my first day at John Lewis and it would be an understatement to say I’m a little nervous. I’ve changed my clothes four times and can’t decide what to wear, but after my dad yells at me for being late on my first day I finally pull on my comfortable jeans, a soft white sweater and a pair of white Superga running shoes.

My dad tells me he’s going to wait in the car, so I check myself in the mirror one last time before walking down the stairs and out the building to the curb where he’s waiting.

Well, it took you long enough.

Dad?

What? Do you want to be late on your first day?

I slip on my earbuds and turn up the music so I don’t have to hear my dad’s complaining how expensive John Lewis is and how many luxuries the family is giving up to send me to the American private university. As if we’ve had luxuries; but I don’t want to argue so I look out the window as we drive through the busy Roman streets toward our destination.

Finally we get to the university and I kiss my dad goodbye before getting out. I look at the building, take a deep breath and walk in.

Well, this is it. I hold up my class schedule and look around, wondering where my first class is. I look right and left but find myself more confused than before.

Hi.

I turn to see a gorgeous blond guy looking down at me. OMG – this guy is really tall! I’m as tall as his armpit but aside from that, I find myself gawking at him uncontrollably. Oh, now I’m blushing because I realize I’m gawking at him like he’s a Greek god. He smiles and completely blinds me with his pearly white teeth.

Hi.

I blink and realize he’s said hi twice and I’ve done nothing but gawk at him, so I clear my throat, take out my earbuds to say hi.

You look lost. Are you new?

Yes, is it so obvious?

I’m afraid it is, he says, smiling with his pearly white teeth.

Sorry.

So, where should you be?

I look down at my schedule and show him what’s written on the piece of paper.

"Ah, you need to be in the Aula Magna. That’s up the steps and to the left."

Thanks.

You’re welcome, and by the way, I’m Craig Lewis.

I’m Brooke Orlandi.

Are you American?

Italian.

Brooke doesn’t sound Italian.

"It’s not. My mom loves watching The Bold and the Beautiful."

Ah and she named you after one of the characters?

Yup.

Cool.

I stand gawking at him and as he shows me his pearly whites again, I feel my cheeks blush.

"Well, it was really nice meeting you, Brooke. You better get to the Aula Magna before they send out a search party for you."

Search party? Would they really send out a search party for me? I turn and run up the steps to join the other students in the great room.

The room is filled with first year students just like me, and everyone is speaking English. I feel butterflies fluttering in my stomach, so I take a deep breath and walk into the room. I take a seat next to a redhead girl and put my backpack on the floor directly in front of me.

Hi, I’m Rachael Miller, and I’m excited to be studying in Rome.

Hi, I’m Brooke Orlandi.

Where are you from?

Born and grew up right here in Rome.

Wow, lucky you! Rome is a fantastic place to live.

Where are you from?

New York City.

I stare at her like an idiot. She’s from New York City and she thinks Rome is fantastic? I wish I could study in New York City – well, actually anywhere but Rome. I’ve lived here all my life and have never been anywhere else. The only reason I agreed to study at John Lewis is because I’m hoping to be able to leave Rome when I graduate.

I’d love to travel the world to see the wonders of life. Not only read about these great wonders in books but also see them with my own eyes.

Do you know anyone else here? Rachael asks.

I blink and look at Rachael, realizing she just asked me a question.

No, I don’t.

Well, a friend is having some friends over on Friday, and you’re more than welcome to join us.

Oh, thanks, but I really can’t. I have to work.

Okay, I understand, but I’ll give you my cell number just in case you change your mind. My friend lives just around the corner so maybe you could stop in for a short visit before going to work.

Thanks. I take her cell number and shove the piece of paper deep down inside my backpack.

The President of JLU introduces himself and we quiet down to listen. He tells us how happy he is to have us all at JLU and that he expects us to work hard, drawing attention to JLU’s dedication while striving for excellence.

Blah, blah, blah. Why can’t people talk plain and simple? After a few minutes we’re called into individual groups and then led away to our classroom by our professor. I almost feel like I’m in elementary school.

Good morning. I’m Professor Lattanzi. She looks about forty, has short black hair, and wears reading glasses on the tip of her nose. She doesn’t look very friendly, but I listen as she tells us a little about herself and then asks us to introduce ourselves.

The morning passes, changing classrooms at the end of each hour and more introductions. By lunchtime I’ve been asked three times why I have an American name and twice why I’ve chosen an American university if I’m Italian. I truly hope this will die down before the end of the day because it’s really stressful having to answer the same question every hour. Mostly the girls ask the stupid questions while the guys simply stare at me like I have two heads. I can tell this is going to be an interesting year.

We’re finally free to wander the campus for lunch so I grab my backpack and walk out, hoping not to be stopped by anyone wanting to chat. I slip on my earbuds, turning up the music while I walk outside to find a patch of grass to sit down.

I spot a shaded area off to the side that strangely is not crowded with people. Actually, the sunny spots are where most students have gathered, so I gladly walk over to the shaded area and sit down.

I pull out my iPad and turn on my iBook reader. I’m what you call a bookworm. I love reading and I’ll read anywhere I get a chance. I don’t care if I’m sitting on the floor, on a sofa, on a bed or sitting on the metro. I’ll read every chance I have, and now is as good a time as any.

I’m eating my packed lunch and reading my book when I see a pair of running shoes step close to my feet. I look up and see Pearly Whites smiling down at me.

Hey, am I interrupting?

I gawk as usual and when my mouth falls open, I realize I need to stop doing this, so I swallow a couple of times before finding my voice.

No.

Great, he says and sits down beside me. So what do you think of John Lewis so far?

I’m staring at him again, wondering what he’s doing. Why is he even talking to me? Why would anyone want to talk to me, for that matter? I’m just a plain Italian girl who’s not pretty, not well-shaped, not even sociable. In fact, I’m the most unsociable person, so what could he possible want from me? I realize I’m still staring.

Oh, I like it.

Good, and how about friends? Have you made any yet?

Are you supposed to be my guardian angel or something?

He smiles, showing his pearly whites again, and lets out the most contagious, beautiful laughter I’ve ever heard, and I’m suddenly in a trance.

"You could say something."

Huh? I tilt my head to the side, confused. He wants me to say something?

No, I’m not your guardian angel but something similar. I’m here to make sure you settle into college life. How are you at socializing?

I roll my eyes at him.

That bad?

Worse.

Well then. We’ll have to work on that, won’t we?

We?

Yes, that’s why I’m here. My role is to make sure you make friends; you socialize and settle into college life. It’s not just about academia. It’s also about public relations.

Oh.

Don’t look so frightened. It’s not as bad as you think.

You have no idea.

Well, enlighten me. He shows me his pearly whites again, and the butterflies are doing summersaults in my stomach.

I don’t think so.

Ah, come on. It’s not that difficult. You’re talking to me and I just met you.

Yeah but that’s because you’ve forced me to talk to you, so this doesn’t count.

Forced you? No. You need to take the bull by its horns and do what you need to do.

Which is what?

Socialize, Brooke. Get out and meet other students.

That’s easy for you to say. You don’t have to do it!

I’ll have you know that there was a time, not so long ago, that I was very much like you. I sat here the first day, lonely and missing my family back in the US, but I learned to be sociable, and I’m sure that you can too.

Okay, now I’m certain you’re pulling my leg.

No, I’m not pulling anyone’s leg. It’s the truth. It’s not easy walking into a room full of people when you don’t know a single soul, and it’s even harder when you don’t speak their language. Look around you – not all students are American. Imagine what it’s like for someone from China, or Burundi for instance, who is not only a thousand miles away from home but living in a country where he or she doesn’t speak the language. Imagine how difficult that must be, and how much courage that person must have to be here. Making friends and socializing is what makes it all bearable.

Okay, well it was their choice to come here so I don’t see how it’s relevant to me.

It’s all relevant because we depend upon each other to survive in this world. Brooke, the sooner you realize you need others to succeed in life, the sooner you’ll achieve your goals.

I roll my eyes again.

You can roll your eyes all you want but mark my words, you will see the light at the end of the tunnel as soon as you start socializing. Get out there and make friends.

I already have.

Have you now?

Yes, I have. I met a Rachael Miller from New York City before and she invited me to a party on Friday.

Is that so?

I don’t lie.

Okay, and will you go to this party on Friday?

Maybe.

It doesn’t sound like you really want to go. You’ll have to try harder.

Agh! Are you going to leave me alone if I say I will go to this thing on Friday?

Yes – for now.

Fine. I’ll go. Now will you leave me in peace so I can finish reading my book before I need to return to class?

Certainly. It was a pleasure talking to you, Brooke Orlandi.

I growl and he rubs the top of my head like I’m a dog. What am I, your pet? I watch as he gets up and walks off toward a group of students by the café. It’s my first chance to really look at him and as he walks away, I notice what a great-looking body he has. He probably works out at the gym every day – and then my heart drops when a girl in the group clings to him and kisses him hard on the lips. He has a girlfriend.

Why should I care if he has a girlfriend? He’s way too old for me anyhow, and he’s too forward for my taste. Who is he anyway? Is he a student? Is he a professor? He never mentioned what he’s doing at the university, but I’m sure I’ll find out soon.

Chapter One

I spent the first week meeting new classmates and learning the school structure. After my last class on Friday, I’m tired and cranky remembering I need to go to work, and as soon as I walk out of the classroom, I bump into Rachael.

Hey, Brooke. Will you come to the party?

I’m not sure. I’m really not good company at these sort of functions.

Functions? Dude, it’s a party not a function. Just be you. So will you come?

Looks like I have to make an appearance, but I won’t stay long.

Goodie.

I need to pass by work to let them know I’ll be late, so I’ll meet you there. Can you send me the address?

Done.

I hear a bing on my phone and open the message to read it.

I’m glad you’re coming. The party starts at 5pm at Viale Trastevere 245 so don’t be late! Rachael

I smile looking up and notice she’s already gone, so I turn to walk in the direction of the bookstore. I have exactly a half-hour to do what I need to do and go to the party. I’m really doing this so I’ll get Craig off my back. He’s spoken to me every day this week and each time I’ve stared at him like a love-struck kid. I need to stop doing that, and once he sees me socializing, I’m hoping he’ll stop coming up to me every day to say hi. It’s nerve-racking looking at this Greek god every time we’re close. Sometimes I get the urge to reach out and touch him, but I don’t. Once, I even dreamt I did, but thankfully it was nothing but a dream.

I reach the bookstore where I work and let the owner know that I’ll be a little late since I need to meet with classmates to discuss an assignment. That’s the closest I’ll get to lying, and I’m not comfortable with it. After a brief discussion with the store owner, I plead my case and miraculously am told to show up by 6pm or I’ll