Stay With Me

  With shaking hands, I walked up to the door. Thano was talking to the guy I just waved to.

  “Man it’s been a long time, Marios. How have you been?”

  The man laughed. “Busy. Eva is pregnant with twins.”

  I couldn’t but notice how Thano’s face lit up. “No Kidding! Man that’s great! Congratulations.”

  When he looked over Marios’ shoulder, he flashed me that beautiful smile of his that made my stomach feel like I had a group of dancing butterflies in it.

  Slapping Marios on the shoulder, he quickly made his way over to me. With shaking hands, I held up the galaktoboureko.

  “You delivered it! It was made by your hands and my mother will love that! Come on she’s in the kitchen.”

  Please let it be good. Please, dear Lord, let it be good!

  We snaked our way through all the people and finally ended up in the kitchen. It was packed full of women. My eyes widened in shock. Katerina was standing at the stove stirring something in a pot as was Yiayia.

  Why were they both stirring it?

  I just needed to drop this off and find Phoebe. She was probably hiding out in some corner.

  “No! No! You roll the dough out like this! It’s all in the wrists.”

  Turning to my right, I couldn’t believe my eyes. Phoebe was wearing one of Katerina’s cooking aprons and arguing with Aunt Maria . . . no that was Aunt Sophia . . . I think. Shaking my head to clear my thoughts, I focused back on Phoebe. She didn’t need me! And she certainly wasn’t curled up in a corner.

  “The way I cook it is better. Trust me!” Phoebe called out.

  It was then I noticed every single woman in that room was shouting over each other.

  “Are they afraid they won’t hear each other?” I asked Thano.

  He started laughing and rolled his eyes. “Greek women.”

  With a forced smile, I quickly set my dish down and tried to retreat.

  “Kilyn! You made us a dish!” Katerina yelled out.

  You could have heard a pin drop.

  “Oh, shit,” I mumbled as Thano reached for my hand.

  I watched Katerina open the pretty blue floral warmer and reach in. She slipped the lid off and raised her eyebrows.

  “Our Thano’s Kilyn made galaktoboureko,” Katerina called out.

  One of the Maria’s leaned closer to me and made a sound as she sucked in her breath. “That’s Katerina’s dish.”

  My head snapped over as I stared at her. “Thano told me to make that dish,” I whispered.

  Turning back to Katerina, I watched her cut into it as everyone watched.

  I could tackle her. I’d easily bring her to the ground. Then I could grab the dish and run. I was on track in high school. I’m a fast runner . . . when I need to be.

  When the fork went into her mouth, I held my breath. She closed her eyes and stopped chewing.

  With a firm grip, I pulled Thano’s arm. “Why did you have me make that dish?” I whispered.

  He chuckled and kissed me on the tip of my nose.

  “Good. Yes. Very, very good.”

  I stared at Thano . . . afraid to look at Katerina.

  The next thing I knew, I was in her arms as she yelled out. “We’ll make her a Greek yet!”

  Everyone cheered and I finally let out the breath I’d been holding.

  When she pulled back, she gave me the brightest smile.

  “It’s not as good as mine . . . but my Thano will not starve after all!”

  “Opa!” Everyone cheered.

  I looked around the room with a huge smile on my face, until her words sunk in.

  Wait. What?

  KILYN STOOD OFF in a corner for most of the afternoon. I’d really hope that her and Phoebe would have hit it off a bit better, but Phoebe seemed to have melted right in with the family.

  Looking across the room, our eyes met and she smiled that bright life-loving smile of hers. My heart raced knowing she was mine.

  “Athanasios? It’s been forever!”

  Turning to my right, I saw Nikoletta. The girl I dated in high school before Savannah. Actually, she was the girl my mother secretly wished to bind me in a marriage contract to, I swear.

  “Nik! Wow, it’s been what, six or seven years?”

  With a wide grin, she replied, “About that. How have you been?”

  She wrapped me up in her arms for a hug. When we pulled back and she kissed me on the lips, I was stunned for a moment.

  Quickly stepping back, I snuck a peek to see if Kilyn had seen the kiss.

  Oh, yeah. She saw it.

  She stood there with her mouth dropped open, and if she were any more pissed she would probably bust the beer bottle in her hand.

  My attention was drawn back to Nikoletta when she reached for both of my hands. “Oh my goodness, it’s so good to see you. When your mother called and invited me . . . well . . . needless to say, I was surprised but happy.”

  My smile faded some. “My mother invited you?”

  “Yes! Just out of the blue.” Anger quickly swept over my body as I searched for her. “I mean when I ran into your Yiayia the other day and she told me you were still single I was so surprised. You’re even more handsome now than you were in high school.”

  I was stunned to the point where I was speechless. Yiayia I understood, but my mother? She claimed to like Kilyn so much.

  “So are you still in marketing? At least if I remember right, the last time I saw you that’s what you did.”

  With a quick nod of my head, I looked back over to Kilyn. My mother was talking to her.

  What the fuck is going on?

  Turning back to Nikoletta, I tilted my head. “Did my mother happen to tell you I was dating someone?”

  Her face dropped. “No. She didn’t tell me at all.”

  She laced her hand around my neck and gave her lips a quick lick. “Maybe we should go somewhere more private so we can talk.”

  Reaching up with my hand, I pushed her hand away.

  “I don’t think so, Nik.”

  “Oh, come on, Athanasios, for old times’ sake. I won’t tell anyone if you don’t. You remember the time in the auditorium at school. Row 7 seat 7. The way my voice echoed through the room as you gave me my first orgasm.”

  Swallowing hard, the memory hit me like a brick wall. Nikoletta was the first girl I ever gave an orgasm to.

  “Yeah, Nik. I remember, but please can you keep your voice down, my parents don’t need to know I fingered you in high school.”

  “Thano?”

  I closed my eyes when I heard Kilyn’s voice.

  She was standing to my left. I wasn’t sure how long she had been standing there. Nikoletta didn’t bother to keep her voice down at all.

  Smiling, I leaned over to kiss her cheek, but she pulled away. My stomach dropped and it felt like a weight was on my chest.

  “I’m not feeling well and heading home.”

  “Um . . . are you sure?”

  Kilyn let her eyes roam over Nikoletta before looking at me. “I’m very sure. I don’t belong here.”

  She spun on her heels and started making her way to the front door. Starting to go after her, Nikoletta grabbed my arm. “Let her go if she isn’t feeling good. Let’s catch up.”

  My mother walked up with a huge grin. “Nikoletta! What are you doing here?”

  Glaring at my mother, I shook my head. How could she pretend to not have anything to do with this? And what in the hell did she say to Kilyn?

  “Mama, why would you try to hurt Kilyn like this?”

  Her face fell. “What? I don’t know what you’re talking about, Athanasios. I’d never hurt Kilyn.”

  Nikoletta placed her hand on my arm, “Athanasios, let’s step outside for some fresh air before you say something you’ll regret.”

  My mother looked between the two of us as I pushed my hand through my hair in a frustrated manner. “I thought you liked her.”

  Her eyes widened in shock. “I do like her
! Why would you think I didn’t?”

  I pointed to Nikoletta. “This is why! You invited an old girlfriend of mine to the family dinner knowing Kilyn would be here. And clearly, whatever you said to Kilyn a few moments ago upset her and caused her to leave.”

  My mother turned to Nikoletta. “No! I invited her over tomorrow night!”

  Pulling my head back, I looked at Nikoletta with a confused expression. She smiled weakly. “Was it tomorrow?”

  My mother nodded. “Yes! I specifically said tonight was a family dinner and tomorrow I would love to catch up and talk about your parents and how they were liking Greece.”

  That’s when it clicked. Nikoletta showing up tonight . . . she knew I’d be here.

  Placing her hands on her hips, my mother turned to me and glared at me. “And you. How could you think I’d pull something so dishonest and low? How could you think I’d ever hurt that sweet girl? I love Kilyn.”

  My heart stopped. “What?”

  “I saw her standing in the corner and I knew she was feeling out of place. I simply went up to her and told her to join the other women in the kitchen. She was on her way there but said she had something to ask you. So you tell me, Athanasios, was it me who sent her leaving, or you?”

  “Mama . . . I’m sorry, I just assumed.”

  Shaking her head, she gave me a look that actually made my body shudder. “I should smack you on the head and rinse your mouth out with Joy soap!”

  She stormed off, leaving me with Nikoletta again.

  “I believe you know where the door is, Nik. And please don’t bother coming back tomorrow.”

  The stunned look on her face was priceless as I took her by the arm and helped show her to the door.

  After telling my father I was leaving, I tried to talk to my mother but she completely ignored me. I didn’t have time for games. I needed to get home to Kilyn.

  “All right, Mama, if that’s how it’s going to be. I’m leaving to go talk to Kilyn. Se agapó.”

  Lifting her hand in a silent gesture, I quickly tracked down the five people I needed to move their cars to let me out. The faster I got to Kilyn the better.

  Walking into my apartment, I shut the door and tossed the keys on the side table.

  “Kilyn?”

  Her car was parked in her spot so I knew she was here. I’d finally talked her into moving in with me a few weeks back since she had been living with Claire and Blake. She moved in on Christmas Eve and it was the best gift I’d ever gotten. It was a huge step, but falling asleep and waking up with her every day was amazing.

  I headed straight to the bedroom and came to a stop when I saw her packing.

  “What are you doing?”

  She spun around and all the air was sucked from my lungs. Her face was covered in tears and mascara.

  I’d never felt such a deep pain in my heart like I did at this very moment looking at her tear soaked face.

  “Baby, no. I swear to you she was my high school girlfriend, and I was as surprised by her actions tonight as you. As soon as you left, I asked her to leave.”

  She stood there staring at me as more tears came.

  “Did you hear me, Kilyn?”

  Sitting down on the bed, she buried her face in her hands and sobbed uncontrollably. Dropping to my knees in front of her, I pulled her hands down.

  “Talk to me, ladybug. Please talk to me.”

  Shaking her head, she sucked in a shaky breath and attempted to talk.

  “I’ll . . . never . . . fit . . . in. Your Yiayia hates me!”

  My hands came up as I wiped her black tears away. “No, she doesn’t, baby.”

  She nodded and used the back of her hand to wipe her snot.

  Ew.

  Gross.

  “Yes . . . she does! She told me today not to turn you into a beer loving drunk! Because you know . . . all people from Irish decent are beer-loving drunks. Your mother thinks you’re going to starve because I can’t cook, but I’m actually a damn good cook! I can learn to make Greek food just as good as them but they won’t ever give me a chance. I know they won’t. I’ll never be good enough.”

  Hearing her fears had my heart breaking.

  “That’s not true.”

  “It is true!” she yelled out. “Do you know how many of your cousins came up to me today and said they couldn’t believe Katerina was okay with you dating me? A non-Greek in the family.”

  “No, I don’t know and I don’t care, and neither should you. Some of my family is very old school Greek. I don’t care what any of them think.”

  She stood up quickly. “I do! Today they were questioning me about growing up Catholic. I was scared to death to tell them I haven’t set foot in a Catholic Church since I was fourteen! This will be our life forever. Me, always wondering if your family accepts me. Your grandmother thinking I’m not good enough. Your mother thinking I’m starving you. I think your father only likes me because he knew my father.” She shook her head and mumbled, “I can’t do it.”

  Grabbing the suitcase, she slammed it shut. “I have to leave. I need . . . I need to think.”

  The only way to describe the feeling in my chest was to say someone was squeezing the fuck out of my heart.

  “What?” I mumbled as I watched her carry her suitcase out of the bedroom.

  She can’t leave. I’m not letting her leave me.

  Reaching for her jacket, she headed to the door. “Maybe I was too hopeful that this would work out. That . . . that we . . . would . . . work out.”

  My eyes widened in horror. Racing around the front of her, I fought to pull air into my lungs.

  “No. Kilyn. Please don’t leave. Baby, I can’t breathe without you, don’t you know that?”

  Tears streamed down her cheeks as my heart pumped faster. My eyes searched her beautiful face. “You’re the only reason I smile when I go to sleep at night and when I wake up each morning. Your smile can turn the worst of days around and make me the happiest man on earth.”

  A sob slipped from her soft pink lips. “I don’t know what to do. I love you so much, Thano. I’ve never loved anyone like I love you.”

  “That’s all we need, ladybug.”

  She closed her eyes tightly and blurted out, “I lied!”

  The only thing I could hear was my heart racing like I’d just run a marathon.

  My mouth went dry and I forced the words out of my mouth.

  Trying like hell to swallow, I finally formed words. “Wh-what did you . . . what did you lie about?”

  Her eyes snapped open. God, how I loved this girl. Even with her eyes bloodshot red, she still caused my breath to catch.

  “I don’t like baklava!”

  Wait. What did she say?

  Shaking my head, I leaned in closer to her. “What?”

  Her head moved from side to side. “I know! I feel terrible about it. I tried. Oh, God I tried so hard, but every time I eat it I want to gag!”

  With a smile on my face, I pushed a piece of loose wavy hair behind her ear. When her lip jetted out in a pout, I fell in love with her even more.

  “What’s your favorite thing to do?”

  With a furrowed look, she whispered, “What?”

  “Your favorite thing to do with me. Tell me what it is right now.”

  Her face turned upright into a smile. “When we drive up to the cabin with the windows down and the radio blaring.”

  “I never would have done that before you, Kilyn. You changed my life. There isn’t anything I wouldn’t do for you. I’d jump out of a damn airplane if I thought it would make you happy. I’d rather die than have you walk out of my life. Please say you’ll stay with me. Please.”

  Her tears started up again and I wiped them away with my thumbs.

  “What about your—”

  Placing my lips to hers, I kissed her. I needed her to feel how much I loved her. How there wasn’t anything I wouldn’t do for her and that our love would get us through anything.

  When
I pulled back, I rested my forehead to hers. “I had plans for us tonight. Let me take you out. We’ll forget about my family, Greek food, all of it. It’s only you and me tonight.”

  Stepping back, I placed my finger on her chin and lifted her eyes to mine.

  “Will you go on a date with me tonight?”

  With a slight nod, she smiled. “Yes.”

  My body instantly relaxed. After this, the rest of the night was going to be a piece of cake.

  THANO’S EYES WERE filled with love as he looked into mine.

  “Will you go on a date with me tonight?”

  My stomach dipped as I responded with, “Yes.”

  His body relaxed and I hated that my insecurities caused him stress. I wanted so badly to feel like I was a part of his family, but after today I wasn’t sure I ever would be.

  “Come on, let’s go put your suitcase up and get changed.”

  I probably looked like a mess with all the crying.

  Gesh. What was happening to me? I never cried like this.

  Thano grabbed my suitcase and took my hand as he pulled me to the bedroom. The only thing I really wanted to do was fall into bed with him and get lost in his eyes.

  “Dress warm. We’ll be outside. Oh, and wear jeans and sneakers.”

  My interest was piqued as I lifted my eyebrows. “Okay. Are you going to tell me where we are going?”

  With a smirk, he simply winked and pulled a sweatshirt over his head. My lower stomach pulled with desire as I watched him run his hand through his hair.

  “Don’t look at me like that, ladybug. Come on, get dressed.”

  I did as he asked and quickly changed. Freshening up my makeup, I made sure to apply waterproof mascara. I had no idea what we would be doing, so I put on thermals as well as a long-sleeve shirt. I’d take my jacket and gloves also, just in case.

  “Pack a small bag as well. I think we’ll spend a few days up at the cabin if you’re able to.”

  My heart soared. I loved going to the cabin. It held such amazing memories for me. After all, it was there we made love for the first time. We didn’t go up there as often as we wanted to, so I jumped at the chance to go. It was just what I needed to clear my head.

  “I have a design to do, but I can bring it with me.”