Page 1 of A Grecian Getaway

Chapter 1

BOAT RIDE AND BAKLAVA ~Noelle~

Noelle peered out the window of the descending plane and pinched herself to make certain this vacation wasn’t all a fantastic dream. Fluffy white clouds disappeared and the gorgeous Grecian skyline came into view. “I still can’t believe this is really happening!” she said, tapping her feet. Noelle bubbled with the anticipation of visiting family she hadn’t seen since she was a small child. “After we grab our luggage, we’ll need to try to find everyone.” She nudged her two best friends, checking to see if they were awake after the long flight. “There might only be one or two Greeks waiting for us… or maybe a million. But it’ll be loud with lots of hugs and kisses.”

Caroline let out a long yawn. “When you say kisses, what are we talking about here? Is your old wrinkly uncle Snufullupplopolous going for my lips, maybe slip in a tongue?” Caroline moved her seat between Noelle and Claire into the upright position. She pulled off her eye mask, her hazel eyes sparkling and her long blonde hair looking perfect as always. How she could look so beautiful and fresh Noelle couldn’t understand. She didn’t even want to know what she looked like after the long plane ride.

“Oh my gosh, Caroline! Really?” Claire gently slapped her friend’s arm, full of perk and unfazed by the lack of restful sleep. Her pretty blue eyes weren’tbloodshot or droopy, and her shiny auburn hair bounced on her shoulders. You’d never know she’d slept on a plane.

“Sometimes I worry about what goes on in that head of yours.” Noelle tapped the side of Caroline’s head. “I told you, there is a hug and then they kiss each cheek. No tongue involved.”

Caroline held up a hand. “I’m just joking, but you never know,” Caroline winked. “We’re going to be in a place with loads of gorgeous Greek gods. There could be tongue at some point! Hopefully with the gorgeous Greek gods and not someone’s grandpa.”

Noelle rolled her eyes. “Maybe for you, but not for me.” She secured the tray table in front of her seat and yawned again.

“Caroline’s right about part of it, Noelle. We’ll be in a different country. Now’s the time to have some fun! You just haven’t met the right person to break you out of your shell. Maybe you can practice letting loose here and then you won’t be so nervous back home.” Claire patted Noelle’s arm encouragingly. “To be clear, you can practice on other men, not family members.” Claire laughed.

Noelle faked a smile and squirmed in her seat.Oh yes, I’m sure being in another country will suddenly make me more confident.

“Noelle, I know you aren’t looking for a one-night stand, but maybe a little Greek fling is just what you need? Actually, I think it’s what we all need! Do you have any sexy young cousins you can introduce to us?” Caroline asked as she packed up her earbuds and stowed them in her carry-on bag.

“Except for a couple of my great aunts who came to visit us in Illinois a few times, I haven’t seen the rest of these people since I was two. If you want me to go by the pictures from our old photo albums, some of them looked pretty cute.”

Claire pulled her phone from her purse. “A handsome Greek man would be a nice vacation perk! Hey, how is your Greek coming along, ladies? I’ve learned a handful of phrases I thought would be helpful. I made a note in my phone for quick reference.”

“I know how to ask where the bathroom is located,” Caroline retorted. “I felt that was really important.”

Noellelaughed. “I haven’t really practiced anything. Since Dad spoke Greek and Mom spoke Arabic, you know I only ever learned a handful of cuss words and a few phrases and other words in each language. But don’t worry, my family will help us in Athens and Piraeus. When we get to the island, it’ll be a little harder since we’ll be on our own, but I think many of the younger adults speak some English. I really wish I knew more Greek.”

“Well, at least you’ll be able to cuss someone out if they piss us off,” Caroline snickered.

“Uh, absolutely not!” Noelle exclaimed. “But if you want to ask for milk or point out the parts of the face in Greek, I’ve totally got you covered,” she added with a wink.

Noelle looked out the window as the plane began its descent. The Grecian skyline came into view behind soft, billowy clouds in the sky. “I am so excited to meet my family. Well, I guess I should say I’m excited to see them again, since I don’t remember most of them since the last time I visited Greece was twenty years ago. I don’t think Niko remembers much either. He was only nine.”

Caroline pursed her lips. “I bet he remembers. He remembers everything. The man can’t seem to forget that we’re his kid sister’s best friends.” She used air quotes when she said “kid sister.” “He still treats me like I’m a child and not a grown woman with wants and needs,” Caroline grumbled as she leaned forward and peeked out the window to catch the view.

“Please don’t refer to my brother and your needs in the same sentence. I’m fine with your crush and even the possibility of you two, but I don’t want to hear any details. Ever!”I really wish my brother would get his head out of his butt and see how great he and Caroline would be together. But she’s right. He still thinks of us as kids.

Claire patted Caroline’s arm. “Not to defend Niko, but as an older sister to my much younger brother, it’s hard to think of Connor as anything other than a little kid. I’m just saying Niko might need a little more time to get used to the fact that we’re all college graduates now and not the goofy kids he babysat.”

“Whatever. I don’t think you have to worry, Noelle.” Caroline shook her head. “We’re on vacation, and I will not think about Nikolas. In fact, my goal is the opposite! Maybe we’ll all meet some gorgeous Greeks!”

“I’ve already told you, I’m not here to meet anyone. I’m here to see the sites and visit family before I get back to the States and find a job. Love is the last thing on my mind,” Noelle replied.

“Who said anything about love?” Caroline wiggled her eyebrows and elbowed Noelle gently in the ribs.

“Caroline!” Noelle and Claire said in unison.

Noelle leaned back into her seat.I’m not sure I’ll ever feel confident enough with a guy to relax and feel comfortable, let alone fall in love. The girls don’t understand. I don’t blame them. It isn’t like there was some major event that occurred. No one ever made me feel bad about myself, other than the occasional jerk at school who teased me about my hair, but nothing significant. Growing up, most people I went to school with were fair skinned and lighter haired. I just wanted to blend in. What shy person wants to be noticed? My family and friends always tried to make me feel better about my insecurities. Sure, there are lots of models and famous people in the world that are ethnic looking, but they’re also gorgeous! But in the little community where I grew up, I just felt different. More diversity at college helped a little. But I’d already had 18 years of feeling the way I did. I wasn’t just going to change my perception. My underwhelming dating life hasn’t helped. I don’t feel desirable. The girls are probably right; my shyness is a big factor. I know I need to break out of my shell, but it’s just not that easy.

***

Caroline smacked the railing of the boat that was taking the girls to a nearby Greek island. “Bloody hell!” she said in a silly English accent as she leaned over the edge and watched the waves. Noelle and Claire’s bodies jolted from the surprise. “I feel like I’ve eaten enough food to last a lifetime.” She leaned back and patted her flat stomach. “I look like I’m carrying a small baklava baby thanks to the insane amount of food your family fed us this past week.”

Noellestarted to reply in an English accent but thought better of it. There were many people around, and someone might hear her. “Are you really surprised? My parents are the same way, always trying to stuff us with food.”Had Caroline lived during the Regency Romance era, she totally would’ve been the wild and gorgeous girl of the ton. A diamond of the first water. I sometimes wish I would’ve been born during that time period. After all, an arranged marriage might have been a lot easier. I wouldn’t have to meet anyone on my own. Of course, I probably would’ve been stuck with some old man or become a spinster and left ‘on the shelf.’“Hey, did you know my great Yiayia and Papou had an arranged marriage, and it was great?”

“Um, no, I did not know that about your great grandparents. That’s interesting. I’m not sure where that came from, but anyway… I guess I shouldn’t be surprised your family fed us so much. But usually it’s only your mom and dad. I had Greeks coming at me from all directions, trying to get me to eat more and more.” Caroline waved her arms around.

---