Page 28 of When Love Is Unexpected

"What is it?" she asks again.

"It's private," I say.

"You're not going to tell me?"

"I'm not," I say.

"It looks like a word," she says. "Maybe in a different language."

"Does it?" I ask.

"Okay," she says. "Let's talk about something else."

"Okay, good," I say.

"You said you had two serious relationships in Greece. Does your family know about them? What were their names again?"

"I never mentioned them by name," I say.

"Oh, that's right, you didn't, but did you mention them to your family?"

"No," I say. "My family doesn't know."

"Then they weren't that serious, were they?"

"Why don't you ask me what you want to know?"

"I want to be prepared," she says. "If your mom mentions some woman's name, I want to know what she's talking about. That's all."

"I promise," I say. "No one will mention the women I knew in Greece. Are you satisfied now?"

"Maybe," she says.

"You're incorrigible," I say.

"Honestly," she says, "I don't know how you put up with me."

When she scoots back on the couch and sinks into a pillow, I rest my arm above her head and fix my gaze on her. She's so close, I could kiss her right now.

"Do it," she says, as if reading my thoughts.

"Do what?" I ask.

"I know that look, Sam."

"You know nothing, young lady." I say, "Here, let me help you up. It's getting late, and I'm still jet lagged."

"You're asking me to leave?" she asks, taking my hand.

"You can stay as long as you want, but I have to go to bed. Otherwise, I'll be useless to you tomorrow."

"Okay," she says. "Walk me to the door."

"Goodnight, Laila."

"Goodnight," she says before hugging me, "I'll see you in the morning?"

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