“I am going to miss you all so much. I wish we still lived closer together.” Noelle hugged her friends.
“Us too. I have one less person to harass,” teased Caroline.
“Don’t worry, we’ll come visit again. We promise! You can’t keep the Willow Street Girls apart.” Claire grabbed her rolling suitcase.
“I’m sorry to break up the love fest, but we should probably head to the airport. We don’t want to be late.” Niko hugged Noelle. “Noelle, we love you and we’ll miss you. Promise me you’ll take better care of yourself.”
Noelle nodded. “I will, I promise!” Niko shook Demetri’s hand and then the girls hugged Demetri goodbye.
The girls promised Noelle they would try to visit her on the next long weekend.
Once they had gone, Noelle gave Demetri directions to her office so he could meet her for lunch. “I wish I didn’t have to work, but I can’t ask for another day off. My boss has been so generous already.”
“Of course, I understand. I will be there at twelve. Don’t worry about me. Maybe I will watch one of those movies you keep trying to get me to watch,” he winked.
“Oh, you should watchSinging in the Rain! Have you seen it? It’s wonderful!” she squealed.
“I was only kidding, Noelle. I will wait and watch the movies with you so you don’t miss out.” He smiled and pulled her in for a hug.
They shared a kiss, and then she left for work. She was happy to get back to work but sad everyone was leaving.
Eli and Diana greeted Noelle when she arrived. “You look great! You must be feeling so much better.” Diana gave Noelle a hug.
“I am. And I’m sorry I missed you at the hospital. I was so tired,” Noelle replied.
“Don’t be sorry! I’m sure you were wiped. Eli filled me in on Mr. Tall, Dark, and Handsome. Lucky you!” She gave a wink.
“He’s coming by today to pick me up for lunch. I’ll introduce you.” Noelle smiled from ear to ear.
“Awesome! I better get back to my office and get some work done. See you guys later.” Diana waved and left for her own office.
“I’m really happy for you, Noelle,” said Eli.
“Thanks!I’m pretty happy too. One day at a time, right?” She nudged Eli’s shoulder. Once she settled in at her desk, she looked around the small room. It feels like I’ve been gone forever, even though it hasn’t been that long.
Thankful for a productive morning, she caught up on work she missed during her hospital stay. When it was lunchtime, she headed out to meet Demetri in front of the office. She walked outside and found him leaning against the building. Boy, that man is nice on the eyes. I will never tire of looking at that gorgeous Greek! “Hello, handsome!” Noelle hugged Demetri.
“Yassas. Are you feeling okay? You aren’t doing too much?”
“I’m feeling great, except everyone is leaving me!” she pouted.
“Oh my little lamb, I am sad too, but we will see each other when we can. Don’t worry. The wolf can’t stay away from the lamb for too long.” He tucked her under his arm as they walked.
They went down the block to a little restaurant for lunch, choosing somewhere quick. Noelle wanted to have time to show Demetri around her office. They sat at a corner table on the outdoor patio. They ordered some sandwiches and chatted while they waited for their food to arrive.
“How is your first day back at work?”
“It’s busy, but good. I really enjoy my job, so that’s nice. What’d you do this morning while I was gone?” Noelle took a drink of water.
“I did some reading, and then I showered and came to meet you.” Demetri reached for his glass. “I am excited to see where you spend your days.”
“Me too! It isn’t as big of an office as you have at the club in Greece, and I don’t have it filled with beautiful vases, but it’s nice.”
They quickly finished their meals and made their way back to work. Diana and Eli weren’t back from lunch yet, so she showed him her office first and then she’d take him for introductions to Diana.
“This is it!” Noelle held out her arms and spun in a circle.
Demetri closed the door, and she heard the click of the lock. As she turned around, she saw him closing the window blinds. “Very nice.”