Page 24 of One Weekend in Greece

At that, I do laugh. A full-belly laugh.

“It’s not funny,” she says. “I love Nicole. You can’t have her, Daddy.”

“What if everything stays the way it is, only Daddy gets to hug and kiss Nicole and she goes on all our trips with us? Plus, Nicole has a dream job coming up. We don’t want to come between her and her dream, right? So instead of your nanny, she’ll be Daddy’s girlfriend. She’ll still come visit, do all kinds of fun things with us, and we’ll share her.”

Dafni’s expression turns bright, and her eyes fill with excitement. “Like a mommy! Oh, yes. I want Nicole to be my mommy. She’ll be the perfect mommy. Thank you, Daddy!”

Her little arms wrap around my neck, which is the best feeling in the world, but I’m slightly panicking. Everyone is watching us with stunned expressions, including Nicole.

My parents walk over with expectant looks. I clear my throat and gently place Dafni’s feet onto the ground, then I say loud enough for everyone to hear, “Dafni approves of me and Nicole dating. Nicole is my girlfriend!”

Dafni grins at Nicole. “You’re like my mommy!”

Fear grips me. Is this too much? Is Nicole freaking out? I’d be freaking the fuck out if someone just told me I was going to be their daddy. Well, I did have that happen one time, and I did freak out. It turned out to be the greatest blessing of my life, but it was a shock. Nicole is probably thinking I’m psycho. I went from not wanting anything to do with her to now declaring her the mother of my child.

Nicole rushes toward Dafni and lifts her in a hug. “Like a mommy? Really? You mean it?”

Dafni grins with pride. “Yup!”

“Yay! I’m so excited! This is the best news ever!”

“It really is!” Dafni cheers. “Let’s go dance!”

“Let’s!” Nicole looks at me with a mischievous grin. “You coming, Daddy?”

Why does that turn me on? Dammit. I feel like such a pervert. I’m sporting a small chub now, which I need to get down before this night gets even more awkward. Nicole is still waiting for my answer. How could I tell my girls no?

“You bet, sweet one.”

fourteen

NICOLE

Icould dance forever. Jakob’s hand is in mine as we dance in a circle. The music changes to a slower tempo, but we still remain in a circle, holding hands with one another. A few people leave the circle, but new ones join.

Jakob blindly accepts the hand that takes his. My eyes widen when I recognize the woman from the church. She immediately drops his hand and points her finger at me. Greek words fly from her lips. Her reddened cheeks and wide eyes show she’s clearly not happy to see me again.

“I’m sorry…” I start, and then I stop speaking because what else can I say?

Everyone in our circle stops moving, and a few of the others nearby stop as well to take in the scene. Jakob steps in front of me, forcing me to stand behind him, and begins speaking calmly in Greek to her. My stomach dips with embarrassment. I feel terrible for causing a scene at Vivian’s baby’s baptism celebration.

Jakob’s father appears, and now my vision is fully blocked from what’s happening. When Vivian arrives on the scene, her husband hot on her tail, a sick knot of dread is twisting me up inside. Worse, I have no clue what anyone is saying, so I’m left waiting anxiously for someone to give me an update on this situation.

Suddenly there’s… laughter. The woman comes around and envelops me in a tight hug. She lightly laughs against me and then kisses both my cheeks.

Vivian throws an arm around the lady and beams. “This is Thea Zoe. She thought you were a tourist.”

I kind of am, but I keep that to myself.

I turn to Jakob and ask, “Thea means aunt?”

“Correct. She’s not really our aunt. She is family but it’s distant. Maybe my father’s cousin, or second cousin? Anyway, we call her thea.”

The lady is still nodding and smiling, which is a relief and great improvement from earlier.

“I’m glad I was able to make such an impression on her.”

The lady takes my hand, and all the dancing resumes, with her leading the circle and me second in line. Jakob is on the other side of me, and when I look at him to silently ask what the heck just happened, he shrugs. I’m not exactly sure who they told her I am to Vivian, and more importantly, to Jakob, but the lady suddenly seems tickled and delighted by me. I guess as long as I’m not some random tourist setting people’s hair on fire in church, it’s all good.

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