Page 21 of Waiting For Psamathe

I raised an eyebrow. "Thinking of coming out to watch me?"

"Absolutely. I love watching you with the seals."

A thrill travelled through me at her admission. I'd thought as much from the number of times she'd seemed to be watching me from the terrace, but it was good to have her confirm it.

Sama tensed slightly and concern filled me until a blonde woman approached. It took me a moment to recognise her as Aphrodite in her casual clothes, though she still looked beautiful.

"Morning," she said brightly.

"Morning, Aphie," Sama said. "Did you have a good night?"

"Almost as good as yours, it seems," she responded, her amusement written all over her face. "Good to see you again, Zale."

"Likewise," I said, not really knowing what else to say to her.

"Oh, is that koulouri?" she asked.

Sama nodded. "You should order some."

"I should, it's been ages since I've had some. Anyway, I'll call you later to talk about the event and book another one," Aphrodite said.

"I'm glad it was successful," she said.

"It was," the other goddess responded. "But I'll leave you to your morning after." She waved at us both and headed over to her own table.

Sama groaned. "She's going to be insufferable. She always is after her meddling works."

"Do you think she came here planning to meddle?"

"No, she just can't help it," Sama responded.

The waiter reappeared with a tray and set it down between us. Two clay pots of Greek yoghurt sat in the middle with a jar of pine honey and a selection of nuts.

"Thank you," she said to the waiter.

He nodded and disappeared.

Sama picks up one of the pots and starts to make up her breakfast. "Aphie is just like all of the other love gods. They think they see something between people and they can't help but meddle."

"Hence the stories," I mused.

"Hence Jinx. They found a way to meddle even more than they used to be able to." Her amusement was plain on her face.

"I can't say I'm complaining too much about her meddling," I said.

"Me neither."

The way she smiled at me made my heart constrict. She was so beautiful, and somehow, she wanted to be with me.

I was going to do everything in my power to be worthy of her.

Epilogue

PSAMATHE

A light sea breeze drifted in from the doors that opened onto the balcony, letting me know where Zale had disappeared to. I threw off the covers and grabbed his shirt from the floor, slipping it on rather than getting properly dressed.

I padded across the room and stepped out onto the balcony, finding him leaning on the railing and looking out to sea. The sun was shining off the crystal blue waves. Small dots moved amongst them, though it was impossible to tell if they were seals or dolphins at this distance.

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