A Year at 32 September Way by Ylisela, Mary

of the surrounding buildings, Marcello could tell that Carlisle was not far from the Casa de Giulietta , or the Home of Juliet from Romeo and Juliet . He’d provided her with directions and five minutes later watched as a brunette with shoulder-length hair and an attractive, classic shirtdress strolled down the street, taking in the surrounding buildings as if she’d stumbled onto a movie set. Her eyes widened and she smiled while viewing one tall, narrow building, and then she stopped to admire the remains of a fresco near the top of another. The two-minute walk down Via Settembre had taken Ms. Everdeen nearly ten minutes, and Marcello had eyed his watch impatiently the whole time. “Sig nor Benedetto?” she asked as she entered the front courtyard. When he responded by rising from his seat, Carlisle Everdeen extended her hand and gave him a smile that made him forget all about the inconvenience. At approximately 5 ½ feet tall, Ms. Everdeen wasn’t nearly as tall as Marcello liked his women. She also had brunette hair, while he preferred blondes because it was such an exotic hair color in these parts. She was what the Americans would refer to as the girl-next-door type, thought Marcello. But he could also see that her smile and natural charm found their way into the hearts of many. No, he wouldn’t pursue her, but he could see she would make a lovely tenant. “Welcome to Verona and Via Settembre 32, Ms. Everdeen ,” he said as he took her hand and gently brushed his lips against it.