Page 16 of One Weekend in Greece

Vivian and I look at each other. Silly isn’t a word anyone would use to describe Jakob. But… then again, she’s right. He completely changes for her and can be playful and silly.

“You’re right, sweet Dafni,” I tell her.

I step back and notice the car is practically full already. There must be a second one. Jakob’s parents sit up front, then Vivian crawls in between the car seats to take the middle seat. The sound of a small motor has me turning to find Jakob on an ATV. Vivian’s husband is on another one.

“Hop on,” Jakob says. He puts on a pair of sunglasses and then hands me an extra pair, along with a helmet.

I throw my leg over and then sit snuggly against his back. Securing my arms around his strong waist, I lean forward and say, “You’ll do anything to get between my legs.”

“You have no idea.”

nine

JAKOB

I’ve felt more alive today than I have in years—a decade even. Typically, I only ride the ATV when Dafni wants to. It’s a completely different experience having Nicole’s soft, curvy body wrapped around me. We go through the narrow winding roads, navigating between tourists, down to Perissa, also known as the Black Sand Beach, which is covered in volcanic rock and tiny black pebbles.

“I’ve never seen water so blue,” Nicole yells over the wind and noise. “It’s incredible.”

“You won’t see it like this anywhere else.”

“Thank you again. I can’t believe I’m here.”

I reach down and squeeze her hands as they hold on to me. I don’t tell her, but I can’t believe she’s here either. Growing up, I always missed her and Noah when my parents brought us to Greece for the summer. I always wished they could be here. Then as things changed, I wanted to share this place for entirely different reasons with only one of the siblings.

I park the ATV next to my parents’ car. Nicole removes her helmet and then rushes to the car to help Dafni out. My heart squeezes at the sight of those two holding hands and rushing toward the beach.

Vivian balances her daughter on her hip as she comes to stand next to me while I grab the beach bags from the trunk. “You know you should just go for it, right?”

“What?”

“Nicole. Take a chance. Although it’s not much of a chance, since there’s no doubt she’s the one for you.”

“No idea what you’re talking about.” I know exactly what she’s talking about, but I’d rather not be having this conversation.

Of course, Mamá has to chime in. “I don’t recall my son ever being a liar.”

“That’s a harsh word,” I tell her.

“Maybe you need a harsh reality check,” Vivian grumbles. “You’ve always had a thing for her.”

“Yes, you have,” Mamá agrees.

“We’re not having this conversation,” I deadpan.

Vivian raises her chin and narrows her eyes at me. “He’s worried about her age and Noah. Guarantee it.”

Mamá sighs. “It’s true. But let him be.”

“Let him be alone and miserable forever.” Vivian gives me a mock smile.

“I have Dafni.”

“She needs a mother. Oh, look, I found one.”

“Really, Vivian?”

We reach Dafni and Nicole under an umbrella. Nicole is already applying sunscreen all over Dafni, who is dancing in place, anxious to get into the water.

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