Page 89 of A Grecian Getaway

“So nothing new with Niko?” asked a hopeful Noelle.

“Nope. We had a fleeting moment at New Year’s, but it turned out to be nothing. I don’t get it. But I’m not going to chase him. If he doesn’t want me, he doesn’t want me. But damn it, I’m hornier than hell and have zero interest in anyone else. And I haven’t had any action since Greece.” Caroline face palmed herself.

“I’m sorry, what? Who?” Noelle threw her hands in the air.

“Oh crap. Okay, just listen. Luke and I had been together for a short while. But we’d stopped having sex before we officially broke up. We were both so busy with school and we realized we were friends and nothing more. When I was in Greece, I had a brief fling. It was nothing. We didn’t have sex, but we had plenty of fun. It meant nothing. Really!” Caroline shook her head adamantly.

Noelle smiled and looked at Caroline. “Ok, did I meet the guy?”

Caroline nodded. “Ummmm, yes. It was Yannis.”

Noelle slapped her hand onto the table, and Claire jumped. “Holy crap! You realize he will be in our wedding, right? Is that going to be awkward for you?”

Claire pointed at Noelle. “Don’t you start that habit. I already jump out of my skin several times a day because of this one,” she pointed to Caroline.

Caroline shook her head. “No, not at all. It was just a one-time deal. And I have no feelings for him. I told you. Your damn brother is all I can think about.”

Noelle smiled. “Claire, did you know?” She turned and looked at Caroline. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

Caroline shrugged. “She knows. You were dealing with so much and struggling with your own decisions about intimacy. I didn’t want to tell you and then confuse your decision even more. I’m sorry!”

Noelle hugged Caroline. “Don’t worry about me, silly. It’s fine.”

“You know I’ve had this crush on Niko for so long. And deep down, I feel like he could have feelings for me but won’t act on them. As much as I’m tired of waiting, I just don’t have any desire to be with anyone else.” Caroline dropped her head back and looked up at the ceiling.

“I hope he comes to his senses. And the offer still stands. If you’d like me to talk to him about you, please tell me. I’ll do it!” Noelle nodded.

Caroline shook her head. “No, I don’t want you to talk to him. I want him to come around on his own accord, if he ever does. I haven’t been with anyone since Yannis. Honestly, between the two of us,” Caroline motioned between her and Claire, “I am not sure who is hornier. Who would have thought that of the three of us, Noelle would be the one getting all the sex?” She waved her hands around.

“Oh my gosh, Caroline!” Noelle face palmed herself.

“Yeah. Is it possible to grow your virginity back? Because the last time I had sex was when I was dating Kyle in college. He’s the only guy I’ve had sex with, and it wasn’t even that good. And that was over three years ago.” Claire put her face in her hands and shook her head.

Caroline smiled. “I bet Mr. Jerkston can help you solve that problem. Does he look like he could help you solve that problem? Because if he is a Niko on a scale of...”

“Caroline! I will not be sexing Mr. Jerkston!” Claire stood up. “Don’t we need to leave for the airport soon?”

“I’m just saying…” Caroline giggled and patted Claire’s arm.

The girls finished their dinner and went to pick up Noelle’s mom from the airport. They found her by the luggage carousel.

“Hi Mom!” Noelle went to hug her mom.

“Hi Mrs. T”! Caroline and Claire called out.

“Here, take this.” Noelle’s mom held out a cooler. “I brought you some more fataya and koularakia.”

The girls looked at each other and laughed. “Mom, I still have a few left from last time. Speaking of which, how did you bring fataya with you? You guys were in such a rush to get here when I was in the hospital.” Noelle took the bag.

“I keep them in the freezer. I grabbed them when we were leaving and stuffed them in an insulated bag. But I didn’t tell your father because I knew he would eat them all before we got them to you.” Her mom smoothed down her hair.

Caroline peeked into the container. “So delicious! I loved when you sent meat pies in Noelle’s lunch! They were so goo…” Noelle vehemently shook her head no and motioned for Caroline to stop talking.

“Noelle Toloupos, didn’t you eat the lunches I sent for you?”

“Thanks, Caroline. Yes, mom, but sometimes, when you sent Lebanese or Greek stuff, I just wanted a peanut butter and jelly or a ham and cheese sandwich like all the other kids. But I loved it! You know, I was just trying to blend in. And a big round piece of talami, instead of plain ol’ white bread, was sort of a bullseye. I’m sorry.”

“I see. You should have told me, honey. I could have gotten you some Wonder bread instead.” Noelle’s mother winked at her. “You can put the fataya in your freezer and take them out to eat whenever you want.”

---