“I am.”
There was an awkward pause.
“I should’ve treated you better,” he said. “When we were married. I know I messed up.”
“That part of our lives is over.”
“I know.” He looked down at his shoes. “I thought I still had a chance.”
“You never did.”
He nodded. “Your husband really doesn’t like me, does he?”
I glanced over at Aris, who’d finished dancing with his mother and was coming towards us. Even from here, I could see the tension in his body.
“No,” I admitted. “He really doesn’t.”
“I should go. Congratulations again, Dee. I mean it.”
He turned and walked away, just as Aris appeared at my side. “Are you alright?”
“Perfect.” I turned to face him.
He leaned down and kissed me, slow and deep.
When he straightened, his eyes were dark with promise. “Are you ready to leave?”
“The reception just started.”
“I have something planned. Something private. Just for us.” His hand slid down my spine. “Tia and Santo, they have agreed to watch the twins overnight.”
We hadn’t spent a full night alone since the twins were born. Between feedings and diaper changes and work, we were lucky to get a few hours of sleep, let alone privacy.
“Overnight?” I repeated.
“Overnight.” His lips brushed against my ear. “I want my wife to myself, yes. No interruptions. No babies crying. Just you and me, yes?”
My inner muscles clenched. “Where are we going?”
“You will see.” He moved back enough to meet my eyes.
As we descended the stone steps leading to the beach, Aris wrapped his jacket around my shoulders. His arm stayed steady at my waist as I navigated the uneven terrain in my heels.
At the bottom, the beach opened up before us, and there it was. His yacht. Anchored at the private dock and lit up with lights strung along the railings.
“Aris,” I breathed.
“I told you,” he said, his voice low and satisfied. “Tonight, it is just for us.”
He led me down the dock and helped me aboard. I took in the candles and rose petals scattered across the polished wood, while champagne chilled in a bucket nearby.
“You brought me back here,” I said, turning toward him. “To the place where you ruined me for any other man.”
“Correction,” he replied, leaning closer. “It is the place where we ruined each other.”
As we pulled away from Thalassía, I looked back one more time, seeing the lights from our reception still glowing in the distance. The island grew smaller as the yacht cut through the dark water, leaving only the sound of waves.
I turned away from the island and toward my husband.
