Page 25 of One Weekend in Greece

The reception lasts for hours. We dance, eat amazing food, and drink wine. I can’t remember the last time I had such a wonderful time. Jakob decides to call it a night when he notices that Dafni can barely keep her eyes open and her dancing is imitating of someone who has had one too many glasses of wine. Of course, she insists she’s not tired.

When we arrive at the house, Dafni wants to sleep between Jakob and I.

“But your daddy and I don’t sleep in the same bed.”

“Tonight, we’re all going to,” she says through a big yawn. “Sleepover. I want to be in the middle.”

Jakob waits for me to answer. Does he want us to share a bed together? That seems like something a family would do. Then again, I’ve known Dafni all her life and Jakob since childhood. Our families have always seen each other as an extension of our own. Other than me wanting to sleep with him in an entirely different way, he’s been like family. I nod and Jakob pushes the two beds together to make one giant bed.

This won’t be weird. We’re all one big family.

It’s weird. It’s weird, but it’s also not. It’s fun and sweet, but I hate the little hope that keeps trying to bubble up inside me. Lying here with Dafni sleeping soundly between us brings me a joy that I can’t explain, but I don’t feel like I have a right to.

“I love her so much,” I whisper to myself.

“She loves you,” Jakob says. He looks like he wants to say more but he doesn’t. I’m thankful he doesn’t. My heart couldn’t take it if he said he loved me, but there’s no future for us. Earlier, I joked that he’d confessed his undying love, and he didn’t elaborate, just admitted to fucking up what he was trying to tell me. Jakob has warned me that with him, I’d be settling for less. He’s always made it clear that he has no intention of marriage after his disastrous relationship with Dafni’s mother, and he’s warned me not to get too hopeful.

Since Jakob and I are both too restless to sleep, we decide to go sit outside. We leave the window cracked so we’ll hear Dafni if she wakes.

“I can’t believe there are no mosquitos.” I stare up at all the stars as a gentle breeze comes through. At home, I’d never be able to sit outside at night like this in the summer.

“Greece doesn’t have the mutant mosquitos like back home, but there are places that do get some. They just don’t swarm you or drain you dry or try to carry you away.”

I try to think of more small talk, but my heart is beating mercilessly and I’m about to explode with needing answers. “Speaking of home…” I bite my bottom lip as I wait for him to turn his face toward me so I can read his expression before I finish my thought. “What happens when we leave here? Do we leave all the magic?” I laugh at that. I sound so cheesy.

Jakob, however, seems to understand exactly what I’m asking. “What do you want to happen?”

He’s putting it back on me, which annoys me. “Just tell me what your plans are. What are you thinking? What do you want to happen? I’m asking you what happens, and you’re answering with a question. Don’t deflect. Just be honest and direct with me.”

Jakob stands and begins pacing in front of me. He runs a hand over his face and then turns to face me. After a beat of silence, he sits back down and takes my hands in his. “I want us to try for a serious, committed relationship. I told Dafni you were my girlfriend, and I have no intention of taking those words back. You know how I feel about you. It wasn’t a line to keep you in my bed for fun while we’re here.”

He takes a deep breath, and his voice is heavy as he speaks. “I’m worried what people will think if we pursue this. I’m your boss; you’re my daughter’s nanny. You’re so young, and it’s going to look like I preyed upon you. That wouldn’t bother me, but I don’t want anyone to think you were naïve and fell for it.”

“I fell for it alright,” I tease.

He gives my hand a gentle squeeze, but his smile doesn’t reach his eyes.

“I have to think of how people gossiping will affect Dafni. She’s young, but she’s going to begin school soon. People can be cruel and careless. At the end of the day, it’s not about my desires, but I have to protect the two people I love.”

I swallow thickly. “Did you confess your love for me but also admit that you can’t be with me even if you want to? Assuming the two people you love are Dafni and me. I’m confused and having a lot of mixed emotions, Jakob.”

His forehead gently presses against mine. “Yes, and no. I love you. I’m warning you there’s going to be some gossip and fallback to us being in a relationship, but I want one if you do. I also want to point out that I think you can do better.”

“Better than a wealthy, gorgeous Greek god with the most precious little girl for a daughter? You must really think I’m something.”

“I know you’re something.”

I lean back so I can stare into his eyes. “But you love me?”

“Yes.”

“Then that’s all that matters.”

He leans forward. His lips caress mine, promising me we’re going to face the world together. It’s all I’ve ever wanted. We’ll figure everything out as it comes. Somehow, everything changed and became clearer when we came to Greece.

“I love you,” he whispers against my lips and wraps his arms around me.

“I love you,” I whimper.

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