“Wait a minute.” His fingers clamped around my wrist. “You’re walking around like that?”
I glanced at my bare toes. “I lent Isabelle my shoes.”
“So put hers on.”
“Isabelle’s shoes?” Blasphemy. We wore the same size, but I could never stuff my feet into her designer beauties. “These are part of her bridal trousseau.”
“So? It’s just for a short stretch.” Then his hands were on my foot, cupping the heel as he slid the shoes on.
Prince Charming, with the glass slipper.
I smiled at my Target feet in Jimmy Choo heels. Sparkly rose-gold stilettos that looked damn fine with my blue off-shoulder top and cream linen shorts.
“Alex, I can’t walk in these.”
He looked up at me, then down at the spiky shoes. “No?”
I slid them off, along with my fifteen seconds of crystal-encrusted glory.
“Fine. You stay here. I’ll go.” Alex put the shoes back in their bag. “Where do I find them?”
His kindness snuck past my defenses and disarmed me.
“Moti?” He waited, T-shirt stretched tight across broad shoulders, one hand on a pink handlebar.
“You won’t need the bike. They’re over there.” I pointed toward the castle.
“Okay. I’ll be right back with your shoes.”
I nodded and sat back down. Why did he have to be so nice to me? I needed Alex to be annoying, irritating, overbearing.
He returned with my sandals dangling from his fingers. Flat, comfy, and non-sparkly.
We watched the trail of tourists making their way to the hilltop spot. Couples, couples, everywhere.
“Are sunsets in Santorini really that beautiful?” I asked.
“Not if you head up there now. All you’ll get are glimpses from behind a line of shutterbugs. But yes, they’re beautiful. Vivid. Electric. Not something anyone can really describe.”
“Are you staying for it?”
He shook his head. “I have a ferry to catch.”
“Well, I better get going.” I grabbed the umbrella and stood. “Did Isabelle and Thomas find a good spot?”
“They’re up front. If you use your elbows, you just might get through.”
“Right.” I chuckled and headed for the street. “Enjoy your time off, Alex.”
I heard the revving of the engine behind me as he got on the scooter. Then his voice called over the crowd. “Hey, Moti!”
I turned and caught his eye across the street.
“You ever get time off?” he asked.
Time off? What was he talking about? I was on vacation.
“Hop on.” He gestured to the empty spot behind him.
