But… marriage.
To someone who isn’t Greek.
Without a wedding.
That all matters. It’s important to a traditional Greek family like mine.
Holy shit. I can’t feel my toes.
Footsteps sound behind the door, and my thoughts scatter. My hearing sharpens, zeroing in on every tiny sound. The rustle. The movement. The pause.
Panic rises, but I shove it down. I’m good at that, at least.
“I forgot to tell you something,” I say quietly, glancing at Matt. “I told them a friend was coming.” My attention snaps back to themauve-colored door as the sounds move closer. “But I didn’t say it was you.”
Matt’s head whips to mine. “What?—”
The door swings open.
“Ahh. Jordan, my dear.” My yiayiá’s arms spread wide as she steps forward to hug me and kiss my cheek.
“Hi, Yiayiá.”
She steps back, assessing.Judging.“You look lovely, agapi mou.”
“Thank you.”
Her gaze shifts to Matt. “Oh. And you brought—Matthew.”
“Yiayiá,” he says with a small smile. “It’s good to see you.”
Her smile sags, then lifts again as she turns back to me. “Come in. Come in.”
I give Matt a look that saysI’m sorry.He just shrugs it off, perfectly cool and unbothered. Like he always is.
“You’re late.”
“I’m so sor?—”
Yiayiá cuts me off. “Why don’t you hang up your jackets and find a seat. I need to check the lamb.” She lets out a sigh. “Not that you care,” she adds, waving a hand. “You don’t eat meat.”
Jesus.
“I love lamb,” Matt says.
And God help him, my yiayiá doesn’t even acknowledge it. She just scurries off down the hall.
Matt helps me out of my jacket, muttering under his breath as he hangs it on the rack by the door.
“Jordan!” my aunt’s voice carries from the dining room, and my eyes follow the sound.
She’s helping to bring in food, along with her perfect son, Christopher.
I can’tstandthe bastard.
I spin back to Matt and tug my ring off, panic flaring. “Abort the plan,” I hiss, shoving it into his hand. “Put this in your pocket.” Then, louder, I call over my shoulder, “Hi, Sophia! So good to see you. I’ll be there in just a minute.”
His face contorts. “What are you talking about?” he whispers. “We can’t abort the plan. I read the notes.”
