Page 26 of One Weekend in Greece

He pulls back to cup my face in his palm. “I’m never letting you go. You’re mine. Does that scare you?”

“I’m not really worried about it.”

His head falls forward. “You’re such a smartass.”

I lift my middle finger up at him, and he leans over to take it between his teeth. I yelp and smack him.

“I’ve been wanting to bite that finger,” he says. “You love to point it at me.”

A yawn escapes me, and I quickly lift my hand to cover it. Jakob stands and extends his hand to help me up. “Let’s go cuddle our girl.”

Our girl. I can’t stop the giant smile that spreads across my face as warmth spreads throughout me. Dafni has always been my girl, but hearing Jakob agree makes me feel lighter on my feet as we walk to the bedroom hand in hand.

fifteen

JAKOB

When we arrive back home in the United States, I hope Nicole will join me in my room. Yet she stops me in the foyer to let me know that’s not happening. We’ve established that we’re in a relationship. Nicole leaves no room for argument that we’re keeping separate rooms. A mixture of disappointment and confusion settles in my stomach, as she also tells me she’s moving out soon and beginning her new job. I knew she’d start her job soon, but the leaving takes me by surprise. I’ve changed so much after one weekend. I went from never wanting anyone near the light of my life to now wanting to share that light and watch it glow brighter.

“This weekend showed me something,” I tell her. “Dafni is growing up so fast. I need to take more weekends off. Maybe even plan for a week off. I’ve been consumed with work and crippled by the fear of my past, but not anymore.”

She releases a small laugh. “You’ve always been so serious and an overachiever.”

“I can’t help it if I excel at everything. And I take this seriously. I’m serious about being more present in my daughter’s life. Making more time for family vacations. I’m serious about you.”

Her eyes sparkle as a beautiful rosy hue colors her cheeks. I place my hands on either side of her waist and pull her to me.

“Come upstairs with me. You don’t have to move out. I want you in my bed every night.”

My body stiffens when a low voice laced in venom speaks from behind me.

“You want what?”

Nicole’s eyes widen in horror and surprise. “Noah! What… what are you doing here?”

“Yes, Noah, what are you doing in my home?” I ask matter-of-factly. I’m frustrated that he ruined this moment but also pissed at myself that he found out this way. I’m supposed to be his best friend. We’ve had each other’s backs since childhood, and now I’ve committed the ultimate betrayal.

“I came to see my sister. What are you doing with my baby sister in your home?”

“You know why she’s here. It was your idea, remember? She’s Dafni’s nanny.” The words are sour on my tongue. I should’ve phrased that better, but I’m so flustered. I never get flustered. I’m always cool and in control. Once again, Nicole is my undoing. I don’t want Noah to upset her about us being together, even though he has more than every right to hate me. But she shouldn’t suffer the consequences of my actions.

Noah takes a step closer toward me. “Do you invite all your nannies to sleep in your bed?”

Anger radiates off him. His knuckles are white as he balls his hands into fists.

I look to Nicole and speak. “Will you please go help Dafni get ready for bed? I’ll be up there soon to tell her good night.”

“Maybe you should,” Noah says. “Nicole has quit and I’m taking her home. Didn’t you just give a pretty speech about being a more involved father?”

“Jesus. How long were you listening?”

“Long enough,” he clips. “I trusted you with her. I thought we were family. What the fuck? You’re my best friend and you treat my sister—” He covers his mouth with a fist and growls into it. When he turns his eyes back on me, they burn with hatred. “I will never do this to you. I can’t even imagine treating Vivian the way you did Nicole.”

Nicole scoffs. “How did he treat me, Noah?”

“Like a weekend play toy! What else? How long has this been going on? Why didn’t you tell me he was taking advantage of you?”

I knew this would happen. I’ve always cared about her, then that transformed into lust as we got older and more mature. After this weekend, I can’t ignore what it’s been all along: I love her.

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