Mom stumbled back at my outburst, catching the heel of her shoe on a rock. She fell on top of another person’s grave, crushing the fresh arrangement of flowers someone had left in their memory.
I helped my mom to her feet and dusted the dirt off her yoga pants. She couldn’t even bother to put on real clothes.
“I’m sorry, Mom,” I started.
“No, it’s fine, Josefine.” She used my full name. “You finish up. I’ll wait in the car.”
A wave of guilt washed over me for yelling. No matter how many years had passed, she was still a grieving widow.
“I can get her into that new rehab,” Tyler says around a bite of salad.
A state-of-the art rehabilitation center recently opened in Palm Springs. The father of one of Tyler’s clients owns the facility. How convenient for a person in the entertainment industry to have that type of resource.
“That’s so sweet of you. I’ve brought it up to her, but she refuses to go.”
If she isn’t willing to do the work, then there’s nothing I can do, no matter how desperately I want to. The more I push her to get help, the more strained our relationship becomes. But dang if it isn’t hard to stand by and witness her crumbling brick by brick.
“Can we change the subject?” I plead, reaching for Tyler’s hand across the table.
“Of course.” He dips his chin. “What have you loved about the trip so far?”
“The water,” I say without hesitation. “I can’t believe how clear it is. And the sand. Just the beaches in general.”
“You were the hottest girl on all the islands.”
I blush at his praise. More often than not, his attraction is obvious in his actions, but he rarely compliments my looks, so I cling to the statement like a leech.
“Speaking of…” I cock a brow and give him an exaggerated perusal. “You look nice tonight.”
Skinny black dress pants hug his trim hips. His pale pink dress shirt is unbuttoned at the top, creating a deep V that reveals his chest tattoos. His long fingers are adorned with silver rings, but he’s removed his usual black leather bracelets.
“As do you.” He tips his champagne glass my way.
I’m wearing a skin-tight gold gown, and my long hair is curled in big waves and pulled over one shoulder to showcase the exposed back.
“Thank you.” I grin.
While the islands of Paros, Rhodes, and Santorini were far more beautiful than any image on the internet can convey, I’m most looking forward to Crete.
Sadly, the bed-and-breakfast my dad’s family owned was torn down years ago. Though I’m still eager to stand on the island where my father spent most of his summers as a kid. My parents even honeymooned on Crete.
“For tomorrow?—”
“Excuse me.” Tyler interrupts me when a server places two desserts on the table. “We haven’t gotten our main course yet.”
“My apologies,” the server says, fumbling for the dishes.
“It’s okay, you can leave them,” I say. We requested them, they just arrived out of order.
Tyler narrows his eyes on me.
“We’re on vacation.” I shrug. “Live a little. Eat dessert first.”
The server looks from Tyler to me and back again until Tyler nods once. He leaves a plate of baklava with sprinkled pistachio for Tyler and watermelon and basil sorbet for me.
“Mmm,” I moan, taking in the gorgeous presentation.
Tyler taps his fork on the table. “Don’t do that.”
