‘Just… admiring the structure.’
I’ve darted behind the nearest pillar, lying on my front like a soldier with a sniper. I’ve gone underneath the barrier, which probably broke all sorts of laws.
Sam tilts his head to the side.
Ollie. Here. Of all places.
I suppose Athens isn’t that big. And we are at Athens’ biggest attraction. Is it much of a surprise?
‘Has he gone?’
Sam meets my eye, and it’s difficult to read his expression.
‘Will?’
Ollie’s voice, so soft, curious, like a razor to my nerves.
I turn, still hobbled on the ground, and look up. Ollie stares down at me, equally as befuddled as Sam.
I rise slowly, dabbing at my sweating face.
‘Ollie, hi.’ I gasp. ‘What are you doing here?’
His brown hair doesn’t have a strand out of place, and his blue T-shirt with white shorts shows off his body. Has he been working out? I hadn’t discerned the true definition of his body back on that winter day in Waterstones. Wouldn’t surprise me if he has been. He was always conscious about his health and wellbeing.
‘Here?’ He asks. ‘Orhere?’
I knew why he’shere. Or is it here? Whatever. I know why he’s in Athens. But here? Now? Fate, you cruel being.
‘Here. The Acropolis.’
Before Ollie can answer, the man I know to be Alec is by his side, like a magic trick. Ollie looks at me like I should applaud, and I almost do.
Alec has darker hair than I thought, and he’s taller. It looked shorter online. He has a Roman nose, a sharp face, not classically handsome, but the more you look at him, the more you see what Ollie no doubt sees. There’s a charm, a sculpture to the bone and skin. He’s alluring.
His fashion sense, though, is a little questionable. Bold, I would call it. Thrift clothes that are second-hand to help the planet. I wish I could critique that, but I can’t.
The truth is, Alec looks better than I imagined he would.
Which drives me crazy.
‘The event organiser said they could definitely get the lanterns,’ Alec says to Ollie.
‘That’s great,’ Ollie says, and oh God, he’s wrapping his arm around Alec’s waist. ‘Um… Alec. This is Will.’
Alec holds out his hand.
I shake it, his hand smooth and warm in mine. Sam steps back, crossing his arms.
‘Hi.’
‘I’m Alec,’ he says, like I don’t know he was the one who has the man I want. Need. He doesn’t register my name.
‘Nice to meet you.’
‘You too.’
‘Will here is attending the wedding,’ Ollie says to Alec.
