I was about to head inside when Caroline stood up.

"Well, we can't leave looking like this."

"Help me out here," I said to Caroline, "I don't follow." 

She looks fine to me, well more than fine...

"What she means," Sofia flicked her black hair over her shoulder, "is that we can't leave Monaco in last night's dresses."

Can all girls read each other's minds or is it just these two?

"For what it's worth," Liam said, "I think you both look great. Plus the only people who would know you wore those dresses last night are on this yacht."

I nodded. Liam gets it.

Sofia walked over to Liam and ran the back of her hand along his face, making him blush. "Thanks, but that's such a guy thing to say."

"Okay," I shrugged, "then you guys can go buy something."

"We could," Caroline said, "except nothing's going to be open for another hour."

I ran my fingers through my hair as I tried to come up with a solution. Everyone else on the deck had the same thinking look on their face. My heart started to sink as I was drawing a blank.

We really don't have time for this.

"We could just run over to your house, Belle," Caroline said. "I'm sure we could find something in your extensive closet."

"And risk getting seen by my neighbours? Don't think so. But that does give me an idea."

A few minutes after hopping into my dad's Mercedes, we pulled up in front of Sofia's mom's boutique. The white awning that hung over the large glass window said: Casa di Mantovani in elegant gold letters.

Sofia waved in front of the tall glass doors until a girl who looked like a model came and let us inside.

"Bonjour, Margot," Sofia smiled. "My mother left a few dresses for me in the back—"

"Oh, yes, bien sûr," Margot said before Sofia could finish.

Margot's heels echoed across the white tile floor, as she led us through the store. On the way, we passed dozens of mannequins dressed in Mrs. Mantovani's lavish designs.

The girls had us sit on a white leather ottoman outside the dressing rooms while we waited for them. Ten minutes later, Sofia said, "Are you guys ready?"

"Hold on," Liam replied, "I made a runway playlist for you guys—and go!" he added before pressing play on his phone.

As soon as the opening beats of Magic by Robin Thicke started playing, Sofia came strutting out from behind the dressing room doors. She was wearing a short black dress with thin straps. Liam whistled as she finished her walk by flicking her hair and striking a pose.

When Caroline stepped out, my heart stopped for a solid minute. I swear. Her strides were more graceful than Sofia's as she made her way out. She wore a pale blue dress in the same style as Sofia's. That colour really made her eyes stand out. She had also put on some red lipstick, making those delicate lips more tempting than before.

"What?" Caroline asked.

I hadn't even realised I was standing when she walked up to me. I could feel a grin on my face as I looked down into those eyes that made stars look dim.

"Nothing," I managed as calmly as I could, "you look good."

She smiled. "Thanks."

"Ready?"

She nodded. "Yeah, I think so."

"Will that be everything?" Margot asked.

"Almost," Sofia replied. "Are there sunglasses to go with these dresses?"

Margot nodded before disappearing into the back again. Moments later, she returned with two pairs of sunglasses for the girls. And then we made our way over to the train station.

When we arrived at the kiosks, Caroline asked, "So where in Italy are we off to?"

"Ventimiglia."

"Sounds Italian to me," Liam joked.

Caroline smiled. "Keeping it close by for a reason?"

Just then Sofia grabbed Caroline by the arm, pulling her away from the kiosks and towards the stairs. I didn't know what was going on, but Liam and I quickly followed them.

"Put your sunglasses on now!" Sofia said to Caroline.

"What's up?" Liam asked.

"Give me your hat," Sofia said before snatching Liam's blue and white Canucks hat off his head. She put it on and pulled it down over her face. "Stand in front of us!" she demanded, seemingly talking to both of us.

We quickly did what she said.

"Try to look casual," Sofia whispered.

"Are you gonna tell us what's going on?" I asked.

"Do you see a woman over by the doors wearing a gaudy pink dress—don't make it obvious that you're looking!"

Liam and I just stood there trying to look chill.

"Well?" Sofia asked.

"Well, what?" I said.

"Is she still there?"

"I don't know, you told us not to look."

"I did not!"

Liam nodded, "You kinda did, babe."

"I did not and did you just call me babe?"

"Yeah," Liam replied, sounding unsure.

"Say it again," Sofia said.

Liam chuckled, "Okay, babe."

"Sofia!" Caroline whisper shouted, "Focus!"

"Right—is she still there?"

I leaned back and stole a quick glance. "Does she have a toy poodle in her purse?"

"Oh my God, it is her!" Sofia said.

"Who?" Liam and I said in unison.

"It's Signora Poletti," Sofia began, "she's my neighbour, unfortunately. And if she sees us, everyone in Monaco is going to find out we were at the train station. The woman's a walking newspaper."

"Shoot!" Liam said, "She's coming this way."

"Hug me!" Sofia whisper-shouted.

Liam threw his arms around Sofia, who buried her head in his chest. Without thinking, I did the same to Caroline. La Signora's heels clicked as she came closer. My heart was racing, being this close to her. Thank God this place is air-conditioned.

Her hair smelled like coconuts. I found myself drifting off to a tropical beach where Caroline led me by the hand. Our feet splashed through the crystal clear waters as we ran along the shore. I could feel the sand between my toes. She stopped, wrapped her arms around my neck, and looked up at me. Her mouth was moving, but I couldn't hear the words she was saying; they slowly became audible, and I remembered where I was.

"It's okay," Caroline said, "she's gone now."

I looked down, and Caroline was smiling at me. "Sorry, I just wanted to make sure—" I chuckled nervously without finishing my sentence.

"No worries," she beamed, "isn't that what you like to say?"

I was about to reply when Sofia tugged my arm. "We're going down to the platform. You guys get the tickets and meet us there."

After we bought the tickets, we went down to meet the girls, but didn't see them anywhere on the platform. I was about to text Caroline, when they poked their heads out from behind one of the vending machines, and waved us over.

A few minutes later, we boarded the train to Italy.

Hopefully, nobody else saw us.