ATHENA
The Aston Martin hugs the curves of the desert road as we climb higher into the hills. Ruby sits beside me, her auburn hair flowing in the wind. I press the accelerator, surging forward as we reach a straightaway, and Ruby’s laughter fills the car—a sound I’ve been chasing all evening.
“I don’t remember much from the last time I was in your car,” she says, her hand gripping the door as we take another curve. “I was drunk and asleep for most of it.”
“You were exhausted,” I remind her, reaching across to squeeze her knee.
“Well, I’m wide awake now.” She grins as I accelerate again. “And I love this. I love seeing you like this.”
I can’t help showing off a little, maneuvering through bends, feeling lighter than I have in years. Allowing Ruby to see me, to touch me, to know me completely was terrifying, but now I feel liberated. She stripped away my defenses and left me stronger.
I turn onto the unmarked dirt path that leads to my favorite viewpoint. The car’s suspension absorbs the uneventerrain as we make our way up, and Ruby glances at me, eyebrow raised.
“Should I be concerned that you’re taking me to a secluded spot in the desert at eleven at night?”
“Only if you’re afraid of stars.” I bring the car to a stop at the edge of the overlook and kill the engine. Silence envelops us—pure, undiluted desert quiet.
Ruby looks up and smiles. Above us, the night sky unfurls in all its glory, an explosion of stars, the Milky Way a luminous smear across the black canvas, all undimmed by city lights. Below, the desert stretches into darkness, silver-brushed by moonlight. Ancient rock formations stand like sentinels, their shadows pooling in valleys.
“It’s beautiful,” Ruby whispers, her face still tilted upward. “I’ve never seen the stars like this.”
“You’ve never been out here? You live so close.”
She shakes her head. “Never. I thought about it sometimes, but…” She trails off. “I’m glad I’m here now.”
I lean in to kiss her cheek, then get out and move to the trunk. “Are you hungry?”
“Starving,” she admits. “I didn’t eat after my late lunch.”
“That’s what I thought. I bet you forget to eat all the time.” I pull out a large picnic basket, a thick blanket, and an insulated bag. Ruby watches in amusement as I unfold the blanket and spread it near the edge of the overlook.
“That’s so sweet,” she says, helping me smooth the corners. “Are you going all Greek on me now? Feeding me like your mom?”
“If I were going ‘all Greek on you,’ we’d have a feast for twenty, and I’d be telling you that you’re too skinny while forcing third helpings onto your plate.” I set the basket down and open it, then arrange myself cross-legged on the blanket. I pat the space beside me and Ruby settles there.From the basket, I produce containers of food, the rich aromas escaping as I open each one.
“What is all this?” Ruby asks.
“A little bit of everything,” I say. “Souvlaki, gyros, spanakopita, dolmades, salad, and fresh fruit for dessert.” I arrange everything on the Parthenon’s fine bone china plates that I’ve brought along. “The street food court at the Olympus is excellent.”
Ruby laughs when I pull out two crystal wineglasses and hand her a bottle of red. “I don’t think anyone’s ever brought Baccarat crystal to a picnic before.”
“I had no idea where to find plastic cups at the Olympus, and everyone was busy preparing for tonight’s event.” I shrug sheepishly. “So I…borrowed some stuff from the Parthenon.”
“Chef Dimitris must love you right now.” Ruby opens the wine and pours it. She bites her lip and smiles as she hands me a glass. “There she is again.”
“Who?”
“The romantic. The one who sets up a picnic under the stars. The one who knows myths about intertwined trees.” She takes my hand, her fingers sliding between mine. “I like seeing her.”
“She’s been hidden away for a while.” I squeeze her hand. “But she’s finding her way back.” I lean forward to kiss her and when I pull away, her eyes remain closed for a beat longer, as if savoring the moment. “Tell me about your day.”
Ruby sighs, helping herself to some of the food. “Chaotic. Everyone wanted to know where I was this morning.”
I arch a brow. “Did you tell them what you were up to?”
“I said I had an important personal matter to attend to,” she replies with a smirk. “Which wasn’t a lie.”
“Very diplomatic.”
