Page 145 of His Secret Gift

Jack is still sleeping, and I plant a kiss on his cheek.

Even in sleep he’s handsome.I still feel incredibly guilty that he and Captain Bryant had to come to my rescue, but I’m also very thankful that they did.

However, I also can’t stop scolding myself for being so stupid and going with Yannis in the first place. At first, I reasoned that we’d just stay in the lobby of his apartment building—but then he gave me that whole speech about not wanting unfinished work out of his unit in fear of losing it or having it stolen.

Perhaps it was the alcohol I had previously, but for whatever reason, that made sense to me at the time.

Regardless, I go over to Captain Bryant’s bed, where Callie is asleep, and I lightly shake her awake.

“What?” she initially asks before popping her head up. “Oh.”

“Sorry,” I whisper. “But I thought it might be nice if we go out and get the guys some traditional Greek breakfast items from the market.”

After rubbing her eyes, she agrees. “Yeah, they certainly deserve it.”

So, I leave a little note for Jack about where we’re going, and then we sneak away to our room to get changed. I go for a peach-colored V-neck and white capris, and Callie chooses a white,thick-strapped camisole and drapes an oversized button-up and denim shorts.

“Ready?” I ask after securing my long hair up in a bun on top of my head.

“Yep.”

With that, we’re off.

“English?” I ask once we get there. I’m embarrassed whenever I have to do that, but I figure it’s easier on everyone if I don’t stumble my way through the conversation in what I assume is horrifically bastardized Greek.

“Yes, ma’am?” a man with dark hair that reaches past his shoulders responds.

“We’re hoping to prepare a very traditional Greek breakfast. Could you help us with that?”

He flashes his perfect, white smile. “Of course. Right this way.”

We follow him to a particular area of the market, and the first thing he holds up is a pastry that kind of resembles the donut holes I’ve seen in the states.

“This is amoustokouloura,” he explains. “Or grape must cookies.”

“Grape must?” I repeat for clarification. “Is that just like grape juice?”

He grins again and nods. “You’re very smart.”

“Oh, thank you…”

“Leander.”

“Leander. It’s nice to meet you. I’m Kayla, and this is—”

She brushes past me, clutching her chest and offering out her other hand for him to shake. “I’m Callie.”

I resist rolling my eyes.

“It’s nice to meet you, Kayla and Callie.” As he says her name, he licks his lips and looks her up and down, a result I’m certainshe was hoping for. “Here.” He then offers her the grape must cookie and wafts it under her nose. “What else do you smell?”

“Hmmm. Cinnamon?”

“Very good. Anything else?”

She puts her hand on her hip and takes another whiff. “Clove?”

“Ah!” Leander claps. “Very, very good. You see, the taste, texture, and sweetness of these are thought to blend perfectly with Greek coffee.” Then, he lifts a bag of grounds, and hands it over to me.

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