When Stef walks out, my heart leaps to see him. It’s the first time since Kerkyra, now in late August. He gives an easy smile as he slides into the back seat, and I lean in to give him a kiss, which surprises us both with its intensity, caught off guard. I lean my head against his, the blood rushing in my ears, goose bumps across my body.
All I want is Stef. And he’s finally here.
“I’ve missed you so much,” I murmur. “I can’t believe you’re in Copenhagen.”
Stef smiles, catching my jaw for another kiss. “There’s nowhere else I’d rather be than with you.”
Fuck. That kind of thing goes right to a man’s head. And lower, but there’ll be time later to make up for lost time.
“Thanks… I can’t tell you how much this means. I’m so grateful you’re here. Especially with everything.”
The media picked up the story from our night out in Kerkyra and ran wild with it. Nobody’s issued any kind of official statement by design, neither confirming nor denying we’re together. Neither one of us regrets being out that night or getting caught by the paparazzi or photographed by some opportunist in the bar. At any rate, the story has legs, as they say, and it’s a story with buzz all summer long. Rumors run rampant.
I slide my hand over Stef’s in the back seat. “Ready to go to the palace? And meet my mother?”
“More than ready. I’d love to meet her.”
We soon arrive at the palace, and I give Stef a chance to settle into his rooms before meeting him a while later to go see Mamma. He looks incredible in his white linen shirt against his tan and his pale chinos, and amazingly relaxed, while I’m a ball of nerves. Even though I know Mamma’s looking forward to meeting Stef, and Stef can’t wait to meet her.
Before long, we enter a small reception room together. Mamma rises, smiling warmly at us.
“Mamma, this is Prince Stefanos.”
“Please, call me Stef,” he says easily, eyes dancing. I reach out to squeeze his hand.
“And Stef, this is my mother, Queen Helen.”
“I’m very pleased to meet you, Your Majesty.”
Mamma smiles at Stef. Meanwhile, I’m trying to remember to breathe.
“Please call me Helen, I insist. It’s so rare that I ever have a chance to meet Theo’s boyfriends. He usually keeps them hidden away.”
Which is a fair point. Also, Aidan never met Mamma, even with everything last year. It should have been a clue.
There’s a round of air-kisses to round off the introductions before we all sit down by the marble hearth. Stef and I take the sofa, while Mamma sits elegantly on a pale blue armchair. It’s a casual room, meant for family rather than any sort of official occasion.
“No need for formalities here either,” Mamma tells Stef firmly.
“I’ve been looking forward to meeting you,” Stef says with a smile, getting up to pass her a gift bag. “And I brought you a small gift.”
“Oh, you don’t need to give me any gifts, but I’m flattered,” Mamma says. “It’s very thoughtful of you.”
Curiously, I watch as Mamma takes out a small basket with Greek offerings: honey, tea, olives, a pair of hand-thrown mugs.
“Some small things from Greece,” Stef tells her, “as a thank-you for hosting me.”
Flawless manners. Ten out of ten. I can’t stop smiling at Stef.
“Of course, it’s our pleasure to have you here. Thank you so much, this is wonderful.” Mamma smiles at Stef. “Theo has said so much about you.”
I redden, but my heart soars. Like my two worlds have collided in the best possible way, Mamma and Stef, the two people I can count on.
“I hear you’ve accepted an offer to study for your PhD in Copenhagen,” Mamma says warmly. “In Classics, is that right?”
“Yes. Classical archaeology,” Stef tells her, lighting up. “I can’t wait to begin. I’ve been practicing my Danish.”
I squeeze his hand again. Most evenings, when we speak, Stef tries out his Danish on me, and I try Greek, both eager to learn each other’s language.
