Page 19 of A Grecian Getaway

“Small talk? Is this different from big talk?” Demetri asked, looking confused.

Noelle giggled. “No, it’s a saying. Small talk just means talking about things that aren’t serious. You know, getting to know someone. I’ve always been pretty shy. You weren’t wrong about me. But with you, I guess I don’t feel as nervous.”

“I am glad you aren’t nervous. You have nothing to be nervous about. So what is an example of what you say is small talk?” He gestured for her to continue.

“Okay, Um…what’s your favorite food? Mine’s cheese. I love all kinds of cheese, especially with grapes or other fruit. Mmmm,” Noelle moaned.

Demetri got a strange look on his face for a moment and then laughed. “Hmm, I think I have to say lamb. I especially like the little lamb walking next to me,” he teased. “Do you like lamb?”

Noelle crinkled her nose and shook her head no. If her olive skin could show her embarrassment, she would have been a deep shade of red. At that moment, Noelle was thankful her skin was dark and hid the evidence of any sort of blushing.

“What? You don’t like lamb? What kind of Greek are you?” he joked and threw his hand in the air.

“Lamb is too meaty for me. And I am only half Greek, remember?” she shook her finger at him. “Do you have a favorite movie?”

“The Terminator. It is a good movie. I like the action movies. And you?” he asked.

“It’s hard to pick just one. I have a lot of favorites.The Terminatorwas good. I do like action movies too. But they aren’t what I watch over and over. I love musicals, romantic movies, and comedies the best. I guess if I have to pick one, it would beThe Sound of Music. Have you seen that one? It’s an old one.”

He nodded. “Yes, but it has been many years. My mother watched it with Sophia and me when I was a young boy. I don’t remember it too much.” He glanced away, just like he had when he’d spoken of his parents the first time they talked about them.

Noelle wanted to ask more about his mom and dad but wasn’t sure if she should. Losing them both at such a young age had to have been incredibly hard for Demetri and his sister. She smiled at the thought of him as a child. “What about fears? Are you afraid of anything? I hate spiders. And I don’t just mean I find them annoying. I’m terrified of them.” Noelle shuddered and cringed at the thought of the creepy little things. “They can crawl in places unnoticed. So gross!”

“Spiders? They are so little.” He reached over and tickled her arm. “Let me think. I don’t like small spaces. I feel very uncomfortable in them.” Demetri wrinkled his nose in a way Noelle found irresistible.

“Oh, so you are claustrophobic?”

Demetri tilted his head and gave her a confused look.

“Claustrophobia means you have a fear of enclosed spaces,” Noelle explained.

“Ah, yes, then I am what you said,” he agreed.

“I guess I’m a little like that. But I do like to curl up under a blanket and read a good book. Do you like to read?” she asked.

“Yes. When I read, I like history books. I like to read about the history of other countries. I also like legal thrillers. How about you? What kinds of books do you like to read, Noelle?”

“My favorites are romance novels with a happily ever after. If there isn’t a happy ending, I don’t want any part of it,” she answered.

“Happy endings, huh? I wonder what you consider a happy ending? I know what I consider a happy ending.” He winked at her and continued. “What else do you like to do in your free time?”

“I enjoy painting. I mostly use watercolors, but sometimes I use acrylic paint. Painting is one of those things that relaxes me. I can get lost in a painting while listening to music. How about you?”

“I would love to see some of your artwork. Do you have a picture?”

“No, I didn’t bring any with me, and I don’t have any pictures on my phone right now.”

“That is too bad. I bet you are very good. As for me, I enjoy most anything in the water. I like to swim, dive, of course go boating, and I like to hike.”

As the evening went on, they continued talking and learning more about one another. Noelle had a permanent smile on her face the entire evening.This night has been perfect! How can one person make me feel so much, so quickly? Does he feel it too, or am I just imagining this connection? For someone who doesn’t want anything serious, he seems to open up to me. But friends talk like this too. I shouldn’t overthink it. But how can I not when the pull is so strong? It’s so natural. Will he kiss me again? Oh, I want him to kiss me! And touch me. And…She touched her lips.

Chapter 15

DAAAARLING DISMISSED ~Demetri~

What has gotten into me? I want to know everything about Noelle. The more I learn, the more irresistible she becomes. She is something special.Unfortunately, his desire to do things with her was less than innocent and getting stronger with each passing minute. It was getting late.

What am I doing? I cannot kiss her. I cannot touch her. I will not want to stop.He squeezed the back of his neck. Should he offer to take her back to his place? Should he just take her back to her hotel and end the evening? His body craved one thing, but his brain kept telling him to let her go. It was the right thing to do. When she’d asked him about his fears, he hadn’t lied.I dislike small spaces, that is true. But I did not share my biggest fear, losing my loved ones.

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