At the same time, my phone sang out the ringtone belonging only to my daughter, Tia. My stomach clenched.
“I have to take this,” I said apologetically, already stepping away from Aris toward a quieter spot beneath an awning where crates of fresh produce created a small barrier from the foot traffic.
“Hey, love of my life,” I answered in a low voice, mentally preparing to launch into my well-rehearsed lie about getting ready for a run after a busy day of meetings.
“Mom! You will not believe what happened today. So we were working on the villa and—”
“Sweetheart, slow down. Are you okay?”
“Why do you always assume something’s wrong?” A pause. “Sorry, that came out mean. I’m good, Mom. Really good. I made some progress today, and I’m excited.”
A month ago, Tia had sprung her post-graduation summer travel plans on me. Three weeks in Greece with her best friend, Katalina.
Turned out she’d been planning the trip for months with Katalina, whose family was Greek. When I raised objections, my usually compliant daughter made it clear she would travel with or without my blessing. I’d swallowed my concerns, handed her my credit card, and driven her to the airport.
A week into her trip, she called and told me her wallet and passport had been lost at a party. Then, a week after that, another call. Her three-week vacation had turned into the entire summer. She had accepted an architectural job to restore a villa on a private island with people I didn’t know.
That’s when my rational brain went out the window. Hell no was my daughter spending months in a foreign country without backup. I knew she was twenty-two and capable, but the mama bear in me wasn’t having it. Within hours, I’d booked my flight.
The seaside villa I rented was twenty minutes from Katalina’s family house in Athens. Close enough to help if Tia needed me, far enough that she could remain independent.
“I know, baby. I’m just checking in.”
“I know you are.” She softened. “This island is a beauty, but it needs so much work. I’ll be up to my neck in design all summer.” She took a breath before continuing enthusiastically. “You’d love Greece. We should come here together one day!”
Every decision I’d made from the moment I found out I was pregnant had been for her. Marrying Kevin, working nightshifts, going back to school, building the business, and keeping her world steady even when mine wasn’t.
Apart from her cancer diagnosis and my divorce from her father, Tia had never wondered where she’d sleep or whether she was wanted. She lived better at twenty-three than I ever did at her age, and I would always be proud of that.
“How about Christmas?”
“Yes!” came her response. “Look, I need to get back to work, but can I call you later? I promise I’m fine.”
“Of course. And don’t forget our check-ins,” I added. “I love you.”
“I know, Mom,” she sighed. “Every morning and night. Love you too.”
I slipped my phone into my purse and glanced back, scanning the busy street for Aris. He was nowhere to be seen. I felt a flash of disappointment, stronger than it should have been for a man I’d known for all of twenty minutes.
Entering the café, I ignored the small, foolish part of me that hoped Aris might be waiting. But it was crowded with strangers, none of them the broad-shouldered man with silver-streaked hair.
And maybe it was for the best.
2
The packed sand felt good under my shoes. I kept my usual pace along the water, not thinking about much of anything.
Athens in the summer demanded early mornings or late evenings for physical exertion. Only tourists and fools ran at midday.
A few paces behind, Markos and Haris followed, their strides matching mine. Years of working together had trained them to blend into my periphery, unseen by most.
The beach stretched before me, largely empty save for a couple seated near the water’s edge. I paid them no attention initially, my mind occupied with the quarterly reports I’d reviewed that morning and the factory expansion in Thessaloniki requiring my decision.
As CEO of Olympus Motors, Greece’s only car manufacturer, I bore ultimate responsibility, though I relied heavily on my younger brothers Konstantin and Dimitrios, who managed the financial and operational—
Theó mou.
That profile. Those legs. I stopped abruptly.
