When in Rome: A Novel

Despite everyone’s relentless teasing about her pancakes, Amelia enjoys being around people who genuinely care for her. At dinner, she can’t stop glancing over at Noah, leading to an awkward moment when Madison loudly suggests that something is going on between the two of them and assumes they’ve slept together. Though Noah tries to deny everything and keep their secrets, his sisters eventually pry the story of the previous day’s kiss out of him. Emily reminds Noah that Amelia is leaving, and he assures her that he is not leaving Rome again. Emily eats a terrible pancake as an apology and the mood returns to normal. As everyone starts to leave, Noah and Amelia both feel nervous to be alone together again.

Amelia can’t sleep that night because of a loud storm, but even that can’t drown out her thoughts about Noah and her anger at not being able to pursue a relationship with him. She hears a knock on her door and Noah comes in and asks if he can just sleep in the same bed as her. He has been terrified of storms since his parents died in one.