I lift a brow and shrug. “You should have known better. French toast doesn’t compare to the waffle.”
We both laugh, and a familiar comfort settles between us.
“My sweets, I… I owe you an apology. For not standing up for you atdinner. Your yiayiá means well. She loves you. She just has a hard time accepting things that aren’t in her plans. She wants you to be happy. We all do?—”
“But Pappoús, Iamhappy. Matt makes me happy. He’s always made me happy. You know that. Everyone should.”
He nods slowly. “I do know that, my sweets. I do.” His eyes glisten. “I’ve always liked Matthew. It’s not that I don’t like him. He’s a fine man.” He raises a brow. “Not Greek, but a good man. And if you’re determined to go against tradition and marry someone outside our culture and faith, then there’s no one else I’d rather it be than him. I know you don’t need my permission. Hell, you’ve already gone and done the damn thing.” His chuckle turns into a deep cough, the way it does sometimes with old people. “But you have my blessing. Regardless.”
Warmth stirs in my chest. It’s not excitement, but… it’s acceptance. And I’ll take it.
I raise an eyebrow. “And what about Yiayiá?”
“Let me worry about your yiayiá,” he says with a wink. “This old dog still has a few tricks up his sleeve, if you know what I mean.”
My eyes go wide. “Oh my God, Pappoús. Don’t ever say that again,” I deadpan.
He just laughs, his eyes sparkling. He thinks he’s so damn funny.
My pappoús sobers, still smiling. “I’m happy to see you happy. Now please tell me I can assure your yiayiá there will be a big wedding soon. It’s the only way to smooth things over with her.”
“I’m sure there will be,” I say. “But honestly, Matt and I haven’t talked about it yet.” I hesitate, then meet his eyes. I trust him. “We’re actually trying to get guardianship of his godson, Cole. Nate’s son. His cousin who died.” I take a breath. “It’s why we got married so suddenly—not why we’re married or staying married, but why we did it the way we did.”
I wipe my damp palms along the fabric of my pants. “I hope you’ll keep this between us,” I add quietly.
He nods, thoughtful. “I think that’s really wonderful. You’ll be an excellent mother to Cole.” He pauses. “Now tell me you’re in love. Iknow Matthew has always loved you. It’s been obvious for a long time. But tell me you love him too.”
I smile softly, my eyes stinging. “I love him so much. You know I do.”
“I know,” he says. “But I had to hear it.”
He stands and opens his arms. “Come here,” he says, pulling me into a hug. “You have a beautiful soul, Jordan. You deserve all the happiness in the world. I hope you know that.”
A cry bursts out of me. The kind that breaks through a smile, happy tears soaking my cheeks.
“Thank you, Pappoús. I love you.”
He presses a kiss to my forehead. “I love you.”
Then he smiles.
And the pressure that’s felt like a goddamn straightjacket my entire life finally splits open.
I stepoff the elevator into Matt’s foyer, my heels announcing my arrival.
“Hey, babe!” Matt calls.
I round the corner and come to a stop, taking him in. I almost laugh because the side of him I’m seeing right now is so far from the side he shows the world. He’s sprawled on the couch, one hand resting on his dick, the other holding a beer. He’s shirtless—gray sweatpants, his grandfather’s necklace, a backwards hat, and…damn.He looks hot. Really, really hot.
There are very few people who get to see this version of Matt. The world seesbusinessMatt—the suit and tie, the Boss, theI’ve got my shit togetherMatt. The Matt who can have any woman he wants. Hell, he can practically make a woman come just by looking at her. Just snaps his fingers and they’ll be naked.
But this Matt?
This Matt will work for it. He’ll make you dinner, bring you wine, rub your back when your neck’s tight, and bring you tea in bed. He’llhave you laughing until you cry and wondering why he chose to spend the night with you.
This Matt—my Matt—is one of a kind.
He makes me feel big things. Things I don’t always know what to do with, because I’m not sure if he feels them the way I do.
