Page 76 of A Grecian Getaway

He opened his eyes and looked at Noelle. “I know… I… wonder how long I will have to stay here? I hope not long. I want to get home and show you how much you mean to me, how much I have missed being with you,” he said as he smiled.

It’s okay if you aren’t ready to say you love me. I am just happy you are okay.Noelle shook her head. “I’m sure you do. But, um… sweetie, have you looked at yourself? I have a feeling that’s going to be a long way off. You have several broken bones that need to heal first.”

“When they find that woman, I’m going to strangle her.” Demetri squeezed his hand into a fist.

“You’ll have to wait your turn. Sophia and I are first in line,” Noelle replied.

Chapter 50

GREEN LIGHT ~DEMETRI~

Demetri didn’t care for hospitals, but his stay went quickly with Noelle by his side. When Noelle had told him she loved him, he wished he could have told her he loved her too, but love only brought pain, and he was trying to avoid that. Instead, he would show her how much he cared for her as soon as he could. That was going to have to be enough. Since his test results came back well, and he was healing, they released him from the hospital. Yannis helped them get settled on the boat.

“Thank you so much for all of your help, Yannis.” Noelle gave him a big hug.

“No problem. I am happy to help. If you need anything else, please let me know. And you,” Yannis pointed to Demetri as he was leaving, “behave yourself.”

Demetri cocked his head. “What? I always behave.”

Noelle got to work fixing Demetri something to eat with the groceries Sophia had delivered.

While she was boiling the spaghetti and browning some butter to go with it, Demetri’s phone rang. “Yassas.” Demetri mostly listened before hanging up the phone.

“It was the police. Athena is still claiming the crash was an accident. And when she hit me, she took off because she was afraid to get in trouble. She didn’t think I was hurt. It doesn’t matter that much. They will probably charge her with hit and run because we have a witness.”

“But what if she was trying to kill you? She should be charged with attempted murder, too. I don’t want her ever coming near you again. This is crazy, Demetri.”

“It is. But I don’t think she would try to kill me. She is crazy, but I do not think she is a murderer. She probably had too much to drink, got too close, and hit me by accident. That is what the police think, but they are still investigating. They will figure it out. I do not think we have to worry about her anymore. And I am okay. So how about we talk about happy things, like you being here with me?” Demetri squeezed Noelle’s hand. “How long can you stay?”

“Fine. I made arrangements with my boss to work here remotely. So, I can stay through the holidays. You should be back to your old self by the time I have to leave.”

“Ahh, wonderful!” He grinned and reached for her.

“Not happening. Your doctor said nothing like that for a few weeks. The wolf has been neutered for the time being.” She sliced her hand through the air and left the room with a grin.

“What is neutered? I do not like the sound of that!” He yelled after her.

***

Noelle took wonderful care of Demetri for the next several weeks. She introduced him to more of her favorite old movies and read him some of her romance novels, as well as some history books he picked out. Demetri got stronger every day. Every now and again, she told him she loved him but didn’t appear to need him to say it back. So he kept his true feelings buried deep within himself, thinking it was the best way to protect the both of them. They played games, enjoyed visits from his sister and her family and Yannis, and lived as if they were going to be together forever. He ignored the feelings in his heart and thethoughts in his brain that told him maybe they could be happy together for a very long life.There is no guarantee. Look at what happened to me? We came close already. I will not risk it.Keeping his hands to himself had proven difficult as well. But he followed the doctor’s orders until he was further along in his recovery, mostly because Noelle wouldn’t budge.Now I know how she felt after she was in the hospital.

The police continued their investigation, and there still wasn’t enough evidence to indict Athena on charges of attempted murder. Demetri’s lawyer assured them he would make her pay for her actions. But for now, she was looking at charges of hit and run.

The day finally came when Demetri was free. Yannis took him to an appointment that morning and they removed his casts, as his bones had healed well.He was moving and feeling great and couldn’t wait to be with Noelle.I finally have the green light I have been waiting for!He smiled.I have to tell Noelle I used one of the slang terms she taught me.

He sat on the couch and waited for her to return from her errands.She will be so happy!They’d had a wonderful time together the past several weeks.As much as I wanted to heal, this means it is closer to the time when she will be leaving.His stomach turned, and he scrubbed his hand over his face.I am not ready for her to leave, but I cannot ask her to stay… not when I cannot promise her more. She has to go back to her home, so she knows this is not forever. Her home. My home. It is the only way.When the word home conjured up images of Noelle with him forever, he pushed the thoughts from his mind, refusing to allow them space in his head. What he wanted deep in his soul and what he would risk were two very different things. And heartbreaking memories from the past would keep him from changing his mind.

Chapter 51

BOBBING BITCH ~Noelle~

Claire: Noelle, we are going to miss you at Christmas. But we’re so glad Demetri is doing better.

Caroline: I second that.

Noelle: Thanks! I’ll miss all of you too. As much as I hated the reason for coming to Greece earlier than planned, I’ve loved every minute of our time together. It’ll be hard to leave.

Claire: I bet.

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