The Pairing (The Proposition, #3)

In the morning, Theo suggests that they go for a bike ride to a nearby castle. Their pastoral adventure goes awry, and the tour bus leaves for Rome without them because Theo checked their names off on the roll call before they left. The villa’s owner gives them a ride to Rome. During the drive, Theo and Kit argue, which dredges up their fight on the plane. Kit intended to surprise Theo with his plan for them to move to France after they spent a few days in Paris. However, Theo found his acceptance letter to École Desjardins and the papers to the pied-à-terre in his backpack during the flight. Kit thought that Theo would be glad to leave behind an existence they were unhappy in, but Theo was furious that Kit planned a whole life without talking to them. In the present, Kit apologizes and explains that not including Theo in his plans is “the greatest regret of [his] life” (303). A peaceful silence settles over Theo and Kit, and they take his hand.

Theo and Kit reunite with Fabrizio and the group in Rome in time for a vespa tour. They spend the afternoon sightseeing and dine at a family-owned pasta restaurant.