Page 97 of Love on the Rocks
“I don’t know. I guess I’ll have to wait for my official pink slip from Greystone and figure it out from there.” I was still paying rent in my London flat, so at least I wasn’t homeless. Maybe I could join my parents and tool around Europe in a camper van for the rest of the summer.
“And what about Nikos?”
I closed my eyes and pinched the bridge of my nose. “I told you. No more men for now.”
* * *
I didn’t have to wait long to hear back from Greystone. My phone rang later that night, a number I didn’t recognize with a UK country code.
Taking a deep breath, I picked it up. “Yes?”
“Calista, this is Seth Greystone.” Like he had to identify himself; I’d recognize that posh voice any day.
Despite my earlier bravado, my knees were knocking so hard I was sure he could hear them through the phone. “Seth.”
“I’ll get right to the point. As you can imagine, my brother is furious. And though he was short on details about your confrontation with him, I know enough about his history with you to know that he was hardly the victim here.”
“You do?” I swallowed hard.
“Let’s just say I make it my business to know what Gareth’s up to most of the time. I’ve handled one too many scandals. And despite what he thinks, bad press is not good press.” He cleared his throat. “I stepped in to prevent the situation from getting worse because I’ve been very impressed by your work—from the food today to the proposal you submitted. Now, the project isn’t mine so it’s out of my hands. Roman is in as head chef. The nightclub will no doubt be approved.”
I squeezed my eyes shut. How could I have been so naïve? Now the whole island would pay for my foolishness.
“I don’t want to lose you, though,” Seth continued. “You’re an incredible asset and we need more women like you on our team.” He paused to let that sink in. “I’d like to propose the post in Switzerland. You’d be trading sea for snow, but it’s the more prestigious position.”
“This is . . . unexpected. I don’t know what to say.”
“You can take a day or two to think about it. The resort is built. We need someone next week.”
I couldn’t breathe. My own restaurant. I could let Anne-Sophie know that she could start filming the documentary next week. This is what I wanted. Wasn’t it?
No, it’s not. Clinging to the familiar was too easy. I needed a clean break.
“As much as I appreciate the offer, I can’t.”
Seth stayed silent for a moment, no doubt wondering if I had lost my mind. “If you change your mind in the next few days, the offer still stands.”
“I won’t change my mind,” I said, surprised by the determination in my voice. I’d never been more certain of anything in my life. Well, except for one thing: I was one hundred percent sure that I’d let myself fall in love with Nikos.
“Before you go, I just want to be sure that nothing will be done to Nikos Laskaris.”
He chuckled darkly. “Actually, I’d like to clap him on the back and buy him a drink. I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve wanted to beat my own brother senseless.”
“So you won’t sue?”
“For what? A few wrinkled olives and an old fishing boat? No, it’s not worth the time.”
“Thank you, Seth.”
I breathed a deep sigh of relief and flung myself backward onto the couch. At least Nikos was safe.
But what would I do now?
* * *
Sneaking away wasn’t usually my style, but I’d spent all night packing, unable to sleep, and I was determined to catch the first ferry out before I lost my nerve. The moon was still visible in the early morning sky, watching me, as I slipped a note inside Nikos’s book and left it outside his door. When I turned around Argos was staring at me beneath his old man eyebrows. I put my finger to my mouth so he wouldn’t bark.
Giorgos and Sokratis were waiting for me in the square. “Sorry, bud.” I caressed the donkey’s big ears. “I didn’t pack light.”
