“Aside from the yacht situation.” His voice is soft.
“Tell me. I’m invested.” A hint of a smile plays on my lips before I can shut that down.
“That you had to leave so quickly.” Stefanos draws in a deep breath. “I… I liked having you here,” he admits, glancing away briefly.
I’m riveted by him. Because how could I not be? Goose bumps cover my arms. “Well, for the record, I liked being there in Greece. With you. Specifically.”
“And… I’m sorry I asked you to leave so abruptly. That was unforgivably rude.”
“No, it wasn’t. It was understandable, given everything.”
Stefanos draws in a deep breath as he reels. “I panicked a little. You don’t know what my father is like.”
“I don’t. But you know what I’m sorry about? Aside from the obvious?”
He shakes his head, his gaze fixed on mine once more.
“That I didn’t get a chance to kiss you before the whole sinking thing happened. And for longer before I left for the airport. And honestly? I’d love to kiss you again.”
His mouth opens slightly. No sound comes out. Then, a beautiful shade of pink spreads across his cheeks and nose. I sit in the silence, taking in the glorious sight of him.
“Oh,” Stefanos says finally. “I see.”
A laugh escapes me. He looks so flustered right now. It’s totally charming. “I hope you’re not horrified by the idea.”
“No. No. It’s… give me a minute.”
I nod, and we sit together in the evening silence. I take him in, watching the shift of expressions across his face.
“And I know I’d probably be the worst person on the planet right now for you to kiss,” I say into the stillness between us. “But you’re incredible and gorgeous, and I think you should really know that. In case you don’t.”
A smile at last crosses his lips before it fades just as quickly.
“Did I say the wrong thing?” I frown, worried.
“No, you didn’t. It’s just… it’s just… you’re a very nice distraction from everything. But… we’re still caught in an international incident.”
“The optics,” I admit, “are terrible.”
“And… there’s something you should know.”
“What’s that?”
“I’ve never kissed a man before you.”
That stops me in my tracks. I blink at Stefanos. Twice. And it’s a long time before I can figure out what to say in response to his revelation, which doesn’t sound totally inane.
“Never?” I ask at last, stunned.
Stef shakes his head, giving me a wry smile. “Never.”
“Wow. I’ll need a drink after that. I’ve been making out with guys since I was thirteen.”
Stefanos laughs with delight. “Why am I not surprised?”
“Hey, what does that mean?” I protest loudly, pretending to be offended, but I can’t stop my grin.
“It’s obvious why people would want to kiss you, Theo. You’re, well, hot.”
