Page 75 of Chosen Road

“Do you, uh, know that I love you?”

He replied immediately, “I do.”

My shoulders drooped in relief. “That’s good, agapimeno.”

Agapimeno. My beloved.

“It’s been a long time since you’ve called me that,” he commented.

I smiled faintly. “There’s never been a time it wasn’t true.”

“Are you ready to come home?”

“I’m not sure, but I did meet my therapist.” I peeked at him to see how he would take that news.

“Yeah?” He looked up, interested. “How did that go?”

“Pretty good? I mean, it seems like she knows her stuff, she doesn’t seem to be too pushy, and she’s agreed to help me tailor the information for my clients.”

He dried his big hands on the tea towel and passed it to me so I could do the same. “Can I hold you?”

“Now?” I asked in surprise.

“No time like the present?” he teased.

“I don’t really want Alex to see us.”

His face fell, and I felt a pang in my heart. “Gus, I need you to help me look for something upstairs. Do you mind helping me?”

“I can help you, Momma!”

“Oxi, no. You stay here with Yiayia, agori mou. You are winning every game and Yiayia wants to win at least once before you go home.”

“You want to see my new Lego build, Yiayia?”

“Yes, after I beat you at this stupid game.”

Alex laughed and turned his attention back to Yiayia, while Gus placed his hand at the small of my back and led me upstairs.

I began to question the wisdom of being alone with him. His hand traced the length of my spine.

“I won’t touch you, sweet baby. I just need to hold you close.”

I nodded and allowed him to lead me to our bedroom. Once inside, he closed and locked the door before drawing me gently into his arms.

His big chest expanded under my cheek as he inhaled deeply, and I leaned all my weight against his solid, heavy, warmth.

I tucked my nose into his sweater and breathed him in before laying my ear over his heartbeat. After a few minutes, I gently extricated myself from his hold.

He smoothed down the length of my spine with his hand, then tucked my hair behind my ear. “Thank you, Amber, for a perfect day.”

“It was an ordinary day. I even worked,” I protested softly.

“Yes,” he agreed. “It was perfect.”

Then, with more sadness than I wanted to admit, I packed up and took Alex home.

Chapter 24: Especially Then

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