Mauro was still in college and a Beta. He was also big into fashion as I was, and so we had hit it off immediately when I met him ten months ago. We hugged and he raved about my dress. A small elderly woman joined us in the foyer, and I drew in a small gasp. This could only be Ozzi’s grandmother.
Jason was the first to go over. “Yaya, you’re looking spectacular today!”
Yaya was wearing one of my handmade Christmas sweaters. One of the wackier partying reindeer ones. I wanted to squeal with delight, but I couldn’t tell if she was mocking me by doing so or not.
“You’re such a sweetheart, Jason.” Yaya hugged him back and kissed his cheek. Then she not so gently pushed him out of the way and came toward me. She didn’t smile. She gave me a slow up and down look and lifted her chin. “Eínai mia Afrodíti. Paidiá, kalýtera na tis féreste san na eínai i theá pou eínai.”
Oh God. What did she say? I tried to keep smiling.
Ozzi went over to hug her and kissed her cheek. “Fysiká, Yaya.”
He was grinning. That was good, right? I could barely breathe.
Yaya suddenly smiled, bright and warm, and opened her arms. “Come here,ómorfo korítsi. Let me hug you. Tell me my boys are worshipping you as you deserve.”
I wrapped the little woman up in a hug and she squeezed tight. “It’s so wonderful to meet you, Mrs. Vakalis. That sweater looks beautiful on you.”
“You will call me Yaya. You’re Ozias’ mate and now my granddaughter.” This made me beam. The guys said Yaya would be happy to meet me, but this was even better than I could have ever imagined. “This sweater is my favorite. So warm and soft, and it represents the real me.”
I burst out laughing, loving this woman all the more.
Yaya patted my hip. “You’re a little boney in parts. Ozias, are you feeding her enough? You need to take care of your mate properly. Feed her more moussaka.”
“I do, Yaya. I cook every day.” Ozzi didn’t look chastised, but glowed with a radiant smile that lit up his face.
“Except on days when we get butter burgers.” Jason chuckled. “Our girl can pack in burgers like none other!”
“Jason,” I blushed and bit back another laugh.
“Moussaka is what you need.” Yaya told me and patted my cheek. “I’m happy to finally meet you, Lyla. My son and his wife are stubborn fools. Please keep that in mind when you meet them.” With that, she turned and gestured to Ozzi’s brother. “Mauro, voíthisé me na gyríso sto salóni.”
Jason and Ozzi each took one of my hands and we followed his grandmother and brother through the house. It wasthe biggest place I’d ever been in. There were decals on the walls that had to be real gold.
Ozzi leaned in and whispered, “Yaya called you Aphrodite, and said we better be treating you like the goddess you are.”
Heat flushed my face and my chin lifted higher. Yup, I adored that woman. “I hope you told her you worship daily.”
We wound through a labyrinth of rooms to arrive at a lush burgundy salon accented with golds and silvers. Ozzi’s sister Angeliki rose and rushed over to greet us along with her fiance, Kostas. They were to be married this spring in Greece, and it would be my first trip overseas.
The two other people in the room were already standing.
Ozzi’s parents didn’t speak with him for months after he told them he would no longer do as they wished. It tormented him, but after his siblings met me and we got along, it eased his hurt. Angel insisted we be at her wedding in April, and this is why I guessed we were invited to New Year’s Day dinner. They were trying to keep the drama in their own house rather than ruin Angel and Kostas’ big day.
Jason was the first to try to break the tension in the room. “Happy New Year’s, everyone. It’s so good to see you again.” He went over and offered his hand first to the eldest member of the family who wore a white button-up shirt that appeared crisper than the air outside. “Pappous, how are you?”
The man shook Jason’s hand and gave him a tight smile. “Good, good. Nice to see you, Jason. Looks like you’ve added some muscle this year.”
Jason flexed for him and grinned. “Been doing lots of work around the house. Added two new rooms and did the work myself.” Pappous nodded approvingly, and Jason moved on to Ozzi’s father. “Mr. Vakalis. Thank you for having us in your home.”
Geez. If Jason was like that with someone, then they really had to be uptight! I squeezed Ozzi’s hand and tried to send him a telepathic SOS. I couldn’t run, though. Ozzi needed this. Whether it be closure or making amends, one way or another, it would be decided today.
What worried me the most was that Ozzi’s mom wasn’t here. Did she decide she wanted nothing to do with me at the last minute?
“Jason. Good to see you.” Mr. Vakalis shook his hand. There was no real warmth between them, and all the father’s attention was on Ozzi and I.
That was our cue. Ozzi stepped forward with me. “Patera, Pappous, may I introduce my mate, Lyla Berg. Lyla, this is my grandfather, Georgios, and my father, Antonis.”
My stomach quivered as I smiled. “It’s so lovely to meet you.”
