Page 52 of A Grecian Getaway

Caroline let out a huge laugh. “Noelle, I hope you realize this guy, deep down, wants you. Most guys want that. Present company excluded, of course.” She tipped her head to Niko.

Noelle rolled her eyes. “Oh gross, Caroline! Eli isn’t like that.”

Niko shook his head. “Honestly, Caroline. Do you think I want to hear about some guy wanting my kid sister?”

“Please. She is a healthy young woman. We all have needs. And if she decides she needs a little action, she should know he’s probably more than willing to help her out,” Caroline teased.

Niko shook his head. Noelle wasn’t surprised to see nothing had changed between her brother and Caroline. Caroline had told her as much when they’d talked over the phone. But the tension between them was real, even Noelle noticed it.

They all had a quick carry out dinner from a nearby deli and then got themselves ready for the night.

“Noelle, you look so good in red. And those white shorts with your tan look awesome! I really wish I wasn’t so pale.” Claire smoothed out her black skirt. “Does my butt look big? I think the donuts are showing.”

“No, not even a little! You look adorable. I love that green tank on you too!” Noelle grabbed her shoes and slid them on her feet. “Are you sure the shorts are okay? I feel like my butt looks big too. White makes everything look wider.”

“Turn around and let me see your asses. Both of you,” Caroline said as she turned her hand in a circular motion. Claire and Noelle spun around and Caroline swatted their butts. “You both look luscious! The guys will love your booties!”

“Caroline!” Claire rolled her eyes. “I’m serious. Those donuts are killing me. Meanwhile, Noelle looks awesome in her red top, and you, you and your runway model figure in that pink dress look like you’re ready to strut down the catwalk.”

“You look amazing, Caroline,” Noelle agreed.

“You’re both too hard on yourselves. I could stand here and point out things I hate about myself, too. But you know what? There’s no point. It solves nothing. Will voicing our insecurities five minutes before we leave help? Nope. Let’s concentrate on what we are right now. We’re fabulous and we’re together! Now let’s go out and have some fun. And stop worrying about what other people think!” Caroline grabbed Noelle and Claire’s hands and pulled them towards the door towards Niko.

Caroline was right, and it had been a long time since Noelle had seen her people. Nothing was going to ruin her night.

Chapter 35

A GIFT AND A GRIEVING GREEK ~Demetri~

Halfway around the world, a grumpy Demetri paced his living room. The last few months had been hell for him. A small stuffed lamb perched on the edge of the sofa. Demetri had been home the day Noelle dropped off the package containing the lamb. He’d seen her walk up and leave it by his door. She’d looked as beautiful as always, even with tears glistening in her eyes. He hadn’t gone to the door, even though everything inside of him wanted to.It would not have been fair to her for us to see each other right before she left. It would have just made things harder. I wish I could have held her in my arms one last time, but that would have been selfish. Instead, he’d let her leave without the knowledge that he was home. He’d wondered then if he would ever chase away the hatred he felt for himself for causing her so much pain. Those feelings hadn’t disappeared in the last few months. After Noelle had left, he’d gone to the door and gathered the small gift. When he’d opened it up, he’d found a small stuffed animal. It was a lamb.My little lamb.His hatred for himself had grown deeper.

He’d hoped he would get over Noelle and move on to the next woman. Demetri had tried meeting up with women. He’d even reluctantly met up with Athena once, but he’d ended up turning her away, just as he had all the otherwomen. Athena tried to seduce him over and over. But he didn’t want anyone else.

Yannis sat on the couch. “You need to get up off your ass and stop acting like a sad school boy. If you want Noelle, go after her. Stop letting your fears of the future control the life you want to live. Life is short, my friend. Grab it by the balls and enjoy every second!” Yannis stood up. “You know, you have not stopped moping since you left her at the club. You have not been with any other women. And you are being a pain in my ass. Admit you want to be with her. Go get her and see what happens. You cannot be any more miserable than you are right now.”

“What are you talking about? It is not that simple. What am I supposed to do, chase her to the United States? She may not even want me anymore. I hurt her too much. And I cannot offer her anything long term.” Demetri slouched in his chair.Would she be willing to be together once in a while, in a long distance relationship, and see each other when one of us could visit the other? I want to be with her, but love is not something I can give her. But if we could see each other, have fun together, and share some good times for a while, then maybe that would be enough?

“Nothing in life is simple, my friend. Definitely not the things worth fighting for. Who says you cannot offer her something long term? You can do whatever you want. But yes, keep up with the sad little party and give up on love. I can see it is really working for you.” Yannis waved his hand at Demetri.

I am miserable without Noelle in my life, andI want to be with her. I…care about her very much. But will she even forgive me? There is no such thing as forever, but maybe we can be together for a little while. I just cannot promise Noelle love.He’d learned the hard way that loving people only led to heartbreak, and he refused to allow that to happen to him again. When his parents had died in the car accident, his life had changed forever. He’d lost the two most important people in his young life, two people he’d loved very much. He had his sister, and he was still worried about her all of the time. And now Sophia had a family of her own whom he loved, more fates he could not control, more potential loss that loomed. But he had the power to prevent himself from loving anyone else,losing anyone else. No, he could not risk loving more people. He’d control his life the best he could. There was no room for more love in his heart. The grief and fear after his parents’ deaths took up too much space. He refused to admit the truth, even though deep down inside, he worried he already loved Noelle.

Why else would he message Noelle’s friend? He’d kept in contact with Claire, checking in on Noelle, wanting assurances she was okay. At least, that was what his excuses for Claire had been. It wasn’t because he loved Noelle or was worried about her. He told himself he’d hoped to learn about her life and what she was doing.Curiosity, that is all it is. We became friends. Friends like to know how their friends are doing.He’d asked Claire to not tell Noelle about his inquiries. Claire told him she didn’t like keeping secrets from her best friend, but she let Demetri know Noelle was okay whenever he asked. He wished she would have shared more information, but all he really got from her was that Noelle was surviving after he broke her heart.

It had been a while since his last text to Claire. The discussion with Yannis encouraged Demetri to reach for his phone.

Demetri: Hello Claire. Just checking in on her. Is she okay?

He hit send and waited. If she replied, he’d think about the next step.If Noelle will talk to me after everything that happened, maybe she would be okay with a casual relationship. We live on two different continents, after all. Love would be impossible.

“Thank you. I appreciate your advice, my friend,” he told Yannis. “I wish you were not such an asshole about it. But I know you mean well. I am going to see if she will talk to me, and we will see what happens.” Demetri got out two glasses, poured some Metaxa for them, and held up his glass. “To possibilities.”

Yannis laughed, took a glass, and tipped it towards Demetri. “If you think I was being an asshole, you should have heard what I really wanted to say to you. I am glad to hear you have come to your senses.” He raised his glass. “To you and Noelle! May you find happiness together.”

At least for a little while.

Chapter 36

Mr. & Mrs. T ~Noelle~

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