Page 57 of Fresh Start
I texted him to meet upstairs for breakfast and jumped in the shower, and when I came out, I had a response from him.
“I’m so sorry. Parents want to take me to town before their big day. I promised I’d make it up to them for not visiting for so long, so couldn’t say no. Ive made arrangements for tonight tho. More details to follow,” his message said.
He was so apologetic it was making him even cuter, so I messaged to reassure him it was totally fine, and I couldn’t wait for tonight. Besides, I had some making up to do myself.
I went for breakfast on my own and then headed to the family home where Yaya was already hard at work for a big lunch.
“What’s all this?” I said.
“Mel told me what you did and that you’re free, so we’re all having a nice big lunch as a family. And I’m not having no for an answer,” she said. “After you ran out in the middle of my class, you owe me that much.”
I laughed and gave her a kiss on the cheek.
“Of course, Yaya. I’m sorry. But kudos to you for being so good with yoga. When did you learn to stretch like that?” I asked.
“What do you mean? I’m a certified yogi. I discovered how therapeutic it was years ago and trained hard to learn everything and get my diploma,” she said.
I raised an eyebrow.
“Come on. Be serious. If you were a yogi, you’d know the poses’ names,” I said and tried to pick a piece of carrot from the stew she was making, but she slapped my hand away.
“How rude. Of course I know the names. But do you think all the other seventy-year olds are going to remember Navasana or Row Row Your Boat? I want to make it fun. Not hard work,” she snapped at me.
“I’m sorry. You’re right. It was fun. I’ll give you that,” I said.
The kitchen soon filled with the rest of the Karagiannis family, and they all took their seats on the table. Dad was still not back from his work trip and the only seat open at the table was his.
“Sit your ass down man, we’re starving,” Luke said, and I did as I was told.
It felt unnatural to be at the head of the table. And Andy gave me a side-eye, but then we all dug in the myriad of foods Yaya had prepared that I hadn’t tried in ages. I was sure she’d made most of them for my benefit, although I knew she loved to cook.
There was tzatziki and rice-stuffed vine leaves and Greek salad, of course, along with mince-stuffed aubergines and a cheese potato bake that was to die for. The chicken and pepper skewers disappeared as soon as the prayer was done, as were the plates stacked with meat of all kinds. Meatballs, souvlaki, lamb, the whole works.
It was like I’d never left. Everyone started talking about all sorts of things, and they even involved me.
Luke told me about his search for his biological parents and how hard it was proving to track them down, and Summer told us all about her upcoming camp trip and the girl she liked.
She was sharing so openly, so naturally, and my family was so accepting of it, and I wished Dawson was here to see what life can be like living openly.
When we were done, Mel approached me and took me out in the back garden.
“A Mr. Eldred would like to meet you at eight o'clock tonight," she said. "He will be waiting for you at reception.”
Eight o'clock felt like light-years from now. I tried to get more information out of her, but she wasn’t forthcoming.
A little after five, I returned to my room and started going through my things. I didn’t know what to wear. I’d only brought one suit for my meeting, and that was too formal, and everything else was too casual.
I wanted to be with Dawson again, and I couldn't count the minutes until I set eyes on him again. And I was dying to know what he’d arranged.
Would it be a dinner out in the nearest town? No, he wouldn’t risk it.
Would it be something more intimate? Or maybe dinner at the restaurant upstairs? I didn't know, and it was driving me insane. The rush of adrenaline, the heightened sex drive, the longing. It all made me feel stronger, younger, hornier.
I caught myself again.
Was that what I really wanted? Did I want to be bound to Dawson? Was it even an option?
I knew I’d love nothing more than being with him and finding out if this thing between us could be anything more, anything bigger, but part of me was scared it was all going to end in disaster again.
