Page 88 of The Island Villa

“What?”

“Nothing. More coffee?”

“No thanks. What were you going to say?”

“It’s not important.”

“Stefanos—” she leaned forward “—we always told each other everything.”

He pulled a face. “As you reminded me, that was a very long time ago.”

“It feels like yesterday.”

“Yes,” he said. “It does.” His gaze connected with hers, his eyes velvety dark.

She felt her heart alter its rhythm and with some effort she shifted the conversation back.

“I thought I had a clear recollection of that day my mother told me I was going to live with my father. Leaving the island, Cassie and y—” She almost said you and stopped herself in time. Revealing that she’d missed him was too much even for her new, more open self. “But when I talked to my sister, she made me question it.”

“Your sister would have been two years old?”

“Yes. But my mother has talked about it with her. And what she said didn’t make sense.” She paused, embarrassed. “Sorry, this must be very boring for you. You’ve already endured more than enough of my family drama.”

“And I’ve shared my family drama with you, so don’t stop now. What didn’t make sense?”

Adeline put her cup down and shifted in her seat. “Cassie told me that after one of my visits when I was older, my mother cried after I left. Sobbed. And when Cassie asked her what was wrong, she told her that life could sometimes be very complicated. She said she missed me.” And Adeline hadn’t been able to stop thinking about that. “If she missed me, why did she send me away? I don’t know what that means.”

“Have you asked her?”

“No.” There were some questions that were better not asked. “It’s all in the past, isn’t it? I thought it was best to move on. It’s not as if anything can be changed now.”

“Maybe not, but sometimes understanding something can help.”

“Maybe.” She uncurled her legs and stood up, conscious that she’d been dominating the conversation. “You promised me lunch and swimming.”

“I did.”

The afternoon passed far too quickly. They had lunch at a little taverna up the coast in a cove that could only be reached from the water. The food was as good as he’d promised, and they sat and chatted for ages, and then returned to the beach below his house.

They swam for a while and then Adeline returned to the beach. She reached into her bag for her bottle of water, and saw her e-reader there. Cassie’s book was waiting for her.

Her heart sank. She had to read it. She should start the book now, while she was with Stefanos and her mood was good.

She opened the book, started reading and lost track of time.

“Whatever you’re reading, it must be good. I’ve been trying to attract your attention for the past five minutes.” Stefanos draped a towel around his neck and sat down next to her. Droplets of water clung to his lashes and the shadow on his jaw.

“It’s Cassie’s book. It’s a love story inspired by my mother’s relationship with Rob.”

His smile faded and his gaze searched hers. “And you’re all right reading that?”

“I didn’t think I would be, which was why I thought I’d start it now with you here. But it’s good.” She glanced at her phone, surprised by how much time had passed.

Stefanos was frowning. “The story is based on your mother’s affair?”

“Yes, although obviously it’s fiction and that part isn’t the focus. It’s really about their love story.” And something about the writing had tugged at her. She’d felt their love and their urgency and desperation to be together. “This is going to sound weird, but for the first time ever, it gave me some insight into why two people might want to be together despite the obstacles.”

He seemed amused. “Are you telling me you don’t believe in love?”

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