Page 36 of More Than Just Friends

As Petros led us through the crowded cobbled streets to the restaurant where we’d be stopping for lunch, I snapped another million photos on my phone.

After that, he’d said that we’d have the rest of the day to explore the area before meeting up later at a castle’s ruins to watch the sunset.

I’d heard so much about the sunsets in Santorini. Apparently, they were epic and the particular location we’d be watching it from was apparently one of the best places to view it. Something told me that moment was going to be one of the highlights of the entire trip and I couldn’t wait.

Petros stopped at a restaurant with incredible views. Directly ahead was an uninterrupted vista of the gorgeous blue sea and to our right were rows of pretty white houses that looked like they belonged on a postcard.

‘This is stunning.’ I smiled at Adonis, still trying to take everything in.

‘It is. But it cannot compare to your beauty, my love.’ He beamed.

I almost burst out laughing. Not just because what he said was clearly ridiculous (trust me, no one, not even one of my many celebrity crushes was as beautiful as the views right now), but also because it was kind of cheesy.

If Adonis didn’t look so genuine, I would’ve said it was a chat-up line. But we’d already been matched so he should know he didn’t need to butter me up. I was already sold. It was obvious he was a catch.

‘Thanks,’ I said sweetly. To be honest, I was glad that he still seemed into me considering how much time he’d had to spend with Kayleigh. I’d half imagined him to not bother calling after they’d finished the cable car ride because he decided he preferred to be with her. But sure enough, Adonis phoned me and soon after, we met up.

‘Allow me.’ Adonis pulled out my chair and I beamed at what a gentleman he was. Chivalry was alive and well.

Even though I said that I wasn’t really a fan of aubergines, or eggplant as he called it, Adonis went ahead and ordered the moussaka, insisting that I couldn’t come to a Greek island and not try it.

I was grateful at least that he also ordered a chicken souvlaki, which was marinated chicken pieces that were grilled on skewers, served with pitta bread, tzatziki sauce dip (made from yogurt and cucumber), tomatoes, onions and chips, so at least I wouldn’t go hungry if the moussaka wasn’t for me.

Luckily, he was right – everything was delicious.

During the meal Adonis gushed about how amazing the cable cars were.

‘Would you like to see the photos? Perhaps then if we get some free time, we can come back and go on it together.’

I really wished he’d stop trying to persuade me to do it. I wasn’t going to change my mind.

‘Sure,’ I said, not wanting to dampen the mood.

He pulled out his phone and started scrolling through. The first picture was a selfie of him with Kayleigh inside the cable car. They looked a bit cosy, but it was a confined space, so it was understandable.

When I saw the photos of the view and the drop, it confirmed that I’d made the right decision not to go. It would’ve been too terrifying for me.

Once Adonis finishing showing me the many photos of the views, some images of Kayleigh popped up. She was posing by a wall with the pretty buildings and sea behind her and her hair flowing effortlessly in the wind like it’d been programmed with the exact coordinates and force it needed to blow to make her look extra photogenic.

Not that she needed any help. You could tell she was a model.

If I was in those photos, my eyes would be closed because I’d blinked at the wrong time, my hair would either be plastered all over my face or I’d have a random curl stuck to my lip gloss.

And that was before I even attempted to work out how to pose. I never knew what to do with my hands in photos. Put them on my hips? Behind my back? Under my chin? It was a minefield. If I wasn’t so embarrassed about looking like a plonker, I’d ask Kayleigh to give me some tips.

‘Kayleigh asked me to take some photos for her,’ Adonis explained as he locked his screen then placed it back in his pocket. ‘Because I already had my phone out.’

‘Makes sense,’ I said. For once, I wasn’t going to get jealous or overthink. Adonis had been nothing but attentive towards me so I had no reason to doubt him.

A loud squeal of laughter sounded from the other side of the restaurant’s grand terrace and when I looked over it was Kayleigh throwing her head back then clutching her stomach, clearly amused at something Noah had just said.

I wondered what was so funny. Noah was flashing that smile that always lit up his face. My stomach fluttered. I must’ve eaten too much.

As I continued staring, my thoughts turned to the coach journey to Oia. I winced, then quickly looked away.

I couldn’t believe that I’d fallen asleep on Noah’s shoulder.

So embarrassing.