Page 40 of You Can't Fight Lightning
“Which is not only the best meal of the day, but one that I’m sharing with you.” He pushed his sunglasses up onto his head. “I really would like to spend the day with you. Do you have to work?”
“No. I have today off, and I’m on the night shift tomorrow.”
“Then spend the day with me. We can just go for a walk. Look at art. Whatever you want.”
“I’d like that.” I felt shy, and nervous as hell.
“So would I.” Z’s expression was that of someone who’d just gotten winning lottery numbers. “Now that our afternoon is out of the way, why do I need to read this count book?”
Laughing, I told him about the book, but not enough that I gave it away. Reading the process of the Count’s revenge was one of my favorite things. I re-read the book twice a year, usually. Because it was so wonderful.
I promised to get it for him when I went back to my apartment again. I could tell that he was eager to read it, and I found that I enjoyed having someone to talk to about the things I loved.
I’d missed that.
After we finished our meal, we went for a walk. His hand brushed up against mine as we window shopped, talking about books.
“You have that tattoo, but have you ever been to Greece?”
I stared at the pottery piece in the window of the shop to my left. “I did go once, after college.”
“What did you think?”
“It was beautiful. I loved all the parts of the old world side by side with the new. I went to Pompeii, and then to Troy, because I had to see them, and then I took ferries all over the Greek islands.”
“That’s a bit more than just going to Greece. That’s practically the grand tour.” Z was also looking into the window, but I didn’t think he was really looking at the art.
“It’s all part of the same world, though. The Greek gods and the Roman gods were the same, with a few different characteristics and different names.”
“True. What was your favorite place?” It almost sounded as though there were a note of longing, of some sort of melancholy in Z’s voice.
“Well, Pompeii was somber and awful and amazing, but I’d have to say Santorini. I took the bus everywhere because I was on a strict budget. It could have been worse. I asked my dad to come with me, and he immediately declined. But I guess out of guilt, he gave me money. So I was able to stay in a slightly better hotel.”
We both laughed.
Z’s hand brushed mine.
I wanted to take his hand, curl my fingers around it. To feel the electric shock that I’d felt every time he touched me. To feel the overwhelming, all-encompassing desire he brought out in me. To lose myself in his touch, his kiss.
I was all in now, apparently. All my defenses were wavering, allowing for Z to make his way closer to me.
Even as I was scared to death.
“Santorini is beautiful.” Z’s words brought me back to the moment.
“It is.” I couldn’t help but let out a sigh. “I really miss the food.”
He laughed. “There is that. Greek food is wonderful.”
“There’s this restaurant, Metaxi Mas, and they make this dish, it’s feta, and it’s wrapped in a light crust, and served with honey. Best thing ever.”
“Your words make my mouth water.” Z sounded huskier than he had before.
Which made my mind go places that had nothing to do with food.
“You should go back.” He continued speaking, thankfully unaware of my thoughts.
“I should. But every time I think about it, real life intrudes.” I pushed my hair back with one hand, not wanting to think on what I’d missed. “You know, to make up for me missing it, you should take me out to dinner tonight.”
