Page 55 of A Grecian Getaway

Demetri:On my way. Please send me the hospital name.

The flight was so damned long. Demetri couldn’t think or sleep. He looked back at the original text from Claire. He read it over and over, hoping something would give him a clue what was wrong.“Let her get over you.” Does that meanNoelle still cares for me? Do I still have a chance? Do I want a chance? And a chance for what?

He was beside himself with worry. Why had he let her go? Why did he have to be such an ass? Fear. Immaturity. Stupidity. The list he created in his mind was a long one. He made their situation harder than it needed to be. There were other ways to be in her life.If only I could go back in time and make the right choice. But will me being there be enough?

Hours passed, and the plane finally touched down.I’m on my way, Noelle.Thankful for the text from Claire sharing the name of where Noelle was and the assurance that Noelle was doing okay, he went straight to the hospital.

As Demetri made his way down the passage, he saw Claire and Caroline. “Hello.” He nodded.

“You look like hell,” said Caroline.

Claire slapped Caroline’s arm. “Caroline,” she said through gritted teeth. “Sorry, um, it’s been a long night. This is Niko, Noelle’s brother. Niko, this is Demetri, Noelle’s… friend.”

Niko hesitantly reached out and shook Demetri’s hand. He squeezed much harder than necessary and grunted his disapproval.

“Is she okay? What is wrong with her?” Demetri focused on Claire, since she was the friendliest one in the group at that moment.

“Oh my gosh, I’m sorry. I should have told you. It’s been so crazy. She’s anemic, but she’ll be okay. Nothing too terribly serious,” answered Claire.

Demetri sighed and made the sign of the cross.Thank God.

Uncomfortable silence followed.

“I supposed since you flew halfway around the world, you want to see her?” Caroline motioned down the hall.

“Yes, that would be…yes. Thank you.” Demetri followed the trio down the hall towards Noelle’s room. Niko left to go find his parents, and Demetri and the girls walked into the room quietly. Noelle was sleeping peacefully.

Bile once again rose in his throat when he saw her hooked up to a machine with an IV coming from her arm.I should have been by her side.

“Demetri, I probably should keep my mouth shut, but that never stopped me before. So, why start now?” Caroline began.

“Caroline.” Claire held up her hands.

I deserve this.Demetri looked her square in the eyes, ready for the lecture.

Caroline shook her head. “You have to know, if you’re here and you don’t plan to have a relationship with Noelle, you’re going to break her heart all over again. Don’t. If that’s the case, go back to Greece. We won’t let you hurt her again.”

“I want to try a relationship. I made a mistake, but I will leave her alone if she asks me to.” His insides twisted when he held back the complete truth from the women.

“Fine. You better mean it. Noelle deserves the best,” Caroline huffed.

“She does.” He’d give her the best he could handle and hope it would be enough. He stood in the corner and watched as Noelle slept.Please don’t ask me to leave, Noelle. I want us to be together for a little while.

“Good answer,” Caroline said as she turned and looked out the window.

“I knew you had it in you all along, Demetri.” Claire smiled, leaned back in her chair, and read.

Guilt crept along his skin like a rash but not enough to push him to leave Noelle’s side. If she forgave him and was willing to be together, even just for a little while, then he wouldn’t go back to Greece just yet.

Chapter 38

MOTHER KNOWS BEST ~Noelle~

Noelle’s eyes slowly opened. She looked down and found a stuffed lamb, a lamb like she had given Demetri. She closed her eyes.Am I dreaming? Where did that lamb come from?She heard some steps and opened her eyes again. As she turned her head, she saw him.I have to be dreaming. Or am I hallucinating?She wasn’t sure. She figured the hospital probably had given her some drugs, but then the conversation between Claire, Caroline, and Niko slowly came back to her.

“My little lamb,” he said. Demetri’s voice.Definitely not a dream.

“Noelle, how are you feeling?” Caroline asked.

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