"Turn the radio up!" Bo leaned in from the backseat of Nina's car. It was actually Luana's old one, which she put up for sale but still hadn't managed to find a buyer for.

"It's one of my favorite songs," he said, while Nina turned up the volume. Kavinsky's Nightcall filled the air and drifted out through Anan's open window.

"It's a bit creepy," Nina laughed. "But I like it as well," she tossed Bo a wink in the rearview mirror. She had picked them up early, as promised. She had felt the early morning when she just awoke, but ever since she set eyes on Anan's enthusiastic face, she knew the early rising would be worth it.

"So what's up with your sister?" Anan now asked.

"What do you mean?"

"Why the hell is she suing your ass?" he asked, hitting the door lightly to show his disapproval.

Nina had been asking herself the same question for months.

"If one of my brothers ever got that kind of idea I'd simply beat some sense into him," Anan continued.

"There's an idea for you," Bo snickered.

The traffic was light at eight in the morning, but the road was narrow and winding so Nina kept her gaze fixed on the windshield.

"I don't know, to be honest. We never really got along. Ever since we went into puberty. Since I'm the older one, I guess I probably started it," Nina said, feeling regretful. "There was this one summer though. We accidentally ended up working at the bar of the same cafe. Each of us got hired by a different manager, it was such a bizarre coincidence."

"I didn't know you used to work in a bar," Bo said.

"Do you know how to make cocktails?" Anan interjected "Cause I'd be willing to be your tester if you ever wanted to perfect that craft."

"I'll consider it," Nina replied with a grin. "Anyway I remember that summer like yesterday. It started really badly. She would hog the tequila and hide it when I needed it, or mess up my order on purpose, making me look bad in front of the other members of the staff. I was not an angel either – I retaliated for all her mischief. It culminated with a meeting with the manager who gave us an ultimatum. Either we get our shit together or she would fire us. Somehow, I still don't know how exactly, from that day forward it went more and more smoothly. By the end of the season, we were queens of that bar. It was as if we could read each other's mind, passing each other the drinks and glasses before either of us knew we needed them. I loved it. We both did, I just know it. It wasn't just work, we started hanging out with other members of the staff, it was just an amazing summer. We even started joking about working together sometime in the future – you know, like owning our own business or something like that. And now look at us," she scoffed.

"It might not be too late for that Nina," Bo said.

"Believe me, it is. If only you could have seen the two of them the other day. When they came to my aunt's house. I wanted to literally be anywhere else. Everything my mother says, Rita never questions, always by her side like she's her assistant."

Anan was listening to the conversation but the sights they were passing by were distracting him. "You shouldn't give up," he said. "Family's sacred, you never know when you might need them."

"Tell that to me when one member of your family sues you for rightfully inheriting the money your father left you," Nina tried to sound lighthearted, but she felt resentful and wished the conversation would stir in another direction.

Thankfully, they had just passed a big road sign that said "Pula" and now Anan was glued to his window, anticipating seeing the colosseum. From the back seat, Bo held out his hand behind the headrest of Nina's seat and gently stroked her neck. It had a simultaneously calming and arousing effect. She leaned her face on his palm for a moment and exhaled a big breath.

"Alright! Gentlemen, I present to you the famous Istrian colosseum!" Nina said ceremoniously when they exited the car. They parked in front of the sea, and the imposing structure loomed from the parking lot. "There's a story in the istrian folklore that says fairies built it," she remembered learning about it in school.

"Oh really?" Anan was fascinated and wanted to know every detail.

"Yeah, the fairies transported the stones during the night, flying around the country with those big blocks in their hands, or so the legend goes."

A soft wind blew, and apart from the occasional dark cloud, the day was made for a stroll. Bo held out a hand to her, and upon seeing it, Anan held out a hand to Bo. Bo took his hand like it was the most natural thing in the world, which made Nina laugh out loud, her spirits rising. The three sauntered toward the colosseum, holding hands.

After buying the tickets, Anan decided to assume the role of the guide. Since he worked as a tourist guide in Bangkok, he was quite interested in historical landmarks, and on the plane, along with the few days leading up to this visit, he had done his homework.

"Nina, I'm sure you already know this, but my friend Bo here is clueless about this magnificent place," he said as they were making their way inside the colosseum. "Did you know actual gladiators fought here? Like against animals and other slaves."

Bo held one arm around Nina's shoulders, raising his eyebrows in wonder. "I did not know that, my friend. Tell us more."

Nina leaned into Bo's shoulder and, feeling a strange melancholy, inhaled his scent that blended perfectly with the salty air.

"It was built in the 1st century, during the reign of Emperor Vespasian, at the same time as the largest and most famous structure of its kind—the Colosseum in Rome," Anan continued, walking in front of them, his eyes darting from one stone to another. "Let's go see the tombs!" He vanished into a narrow, dark passage leading to the lower levels.

"What's wrong?" Bo dropped his gaze, tightening his embrace.

She looked up at him, locking his eyes for a quiet moment. "It's nothing," she said finally. "I'm really happy you're here."

What she didn't want to admit was how much she already missed him. She never felt that feeling before. Missing someone who she was walking next to, someone more real and present than anyone she ever met.

"Let's go find Anan, before he gets into trouble."

They exited the tunnel half an hour later, and Anan, grinning ear to ear, suggested they take a walk on the former battlefield. He continued with his lecture.

"The name arena comes from the Latin harena, meaning sand, because in Roman times it was covered with sand, which was also used to cover the traces of blood from people and animals after each fight," he was looking around with wide eyes. "Did you say they sometimes hold concerts here?"

"Yeah," Nina said, thinking. "But my best memory here was actually coming to see the projection of the Lord of the Rings. It was a premiere, during summer months, the sky was clear and full of stars. We sat on the grass there," she said, gesturing to a grass covered part of the auditorium. Such a wonderful night."

"How about we go take a seat there for a while?" Bo suggested. Can you see the sea from there?"

"I think so," Nina said and led the way.

"Err.. actually guys," Anan said, standing still while the two of them had already moved away a few steps. He was staring at the screen of his phone, his face scrunched up in an expression of deep concentration. "I think I might bail."

"What?!" they said in unison.

Anan raised his head and shrugged. "I just got an offer I can't refuse," he clicked his tongue. "Yeah.. Don't worry about me. Bo, I'll meet you back in the hotel for dinner. Nina, I know you've got the trial to prepare for, but I hope you'll join us. You've got to eat, right?"

"Where are you going?" Nina asked.

"I'm going - " Anan said wistfully, looking up at the high edges of the colosseum wall. "- to see about a girl." He flashed them with his most mischievous grin.

"Alright man. Catch you later," Bo said, gripping Nina's waist and nudging her back towards the auditorium. "Let's go, I can recognize a lost cause when I see one."

Most of the tourists had left the country with the first autumnal showers, and not many came back when the weather turned slightly warmer again. They sat on the green, well kept meadow inside the roman monument, their gazes locked to the sparkling sea. Nina rested her head on his shoulder and enjoyed the sweet caress of his hand on her hip.

"I wish we could stay like this forever," she said. "I could relive this moment for the rest of my life."

Bo's hand froze. "Hey now, we're gonna have more moments like this. Why are you talking like there's no tomorrow all of a sudden?"

"My aunt offered me a place to stay," she said. "I could save money on rent while I get my business off the ground," she said to his expressionless face. "It's the wise thing to do."

Bo thought for a while and then said. "I'd offer you a loan but something tells me there's no chance in hell you would accept."

Nina watched two little boys playing on the battlefield, using sticks for swords. Then a little blond girl approached them, with a stick almost as big as her, waiting to join the game. One of the boys pushed her away by her shoulder.

"The truth is, I don't want to stay here. Not permanently anyway. I liked my life in Bangkok, that's the life I want to live. I guess I just have to be patient. I can't have it all overnight, no one can."

"I just know you'll make it back," he said, pressing a gentle kiss to her temple. "You have no idea how much faith I have in you. You're going to turn your vision into reality – there is no doubt in my mind about it. And when you do, I will be there, waiting for you with my arms open." He returned his gaze towards the sea.

Nina wanted to believe him, but deep down, she felt insecurity and doubt. She doubted herself – she wasn't sure she was going to make it. Coming back to Croatia started to smell like defeat. Maybe she wasn't cut out for being a world traveler? She also doubted Bo. 

The thought that he would wait for her sounded too good to be true.