Page 104 of XOXO

“Thank you, Mark,” Run said, handing him an envelope. “Please transfer our bags to the car, even Violeta’s and we will finish up here.”

“This is unnecessary,” Mark said, giving the envelope back.

“I insist,” Ruwon said, giving Mark a genuine smile. “I appreciate everything you’ve done for us.”

“Anytime. It’s always a pleasure,” he said, putting the envelope in his pocket. “I’m going to have someone do a sweep of the room and I’ll load up your bags as soon as the car arrives.”

“Thanks, Mark,” Run said, taking a sip of his coffee as he left us.

I didn’t know what to say, they were treating me like a child.

“Just say yes, please” Levi said, grabbing my hand and looking up at me.

Levi was good-looking, a hot nerd, but looking up at me like this made him so adorable, like that stupid cat from the Shrek movies. I swear, his eyes grew round and cartoon-like behind those metal-rimmed glasses.

I sighed. “Fine, but once I leave Athens, I will find my own accommodations.”

Matteo laughed. “Good job, Levi.”

Levi grinned as I glared at him. He stood up to kiss me softly, sensually; it made my toes curl from the intimate moment.

“Matteo needs to help me with a contract here, but as soon as it's done, I’ll join you on whatever you haven’t seen,” he said, rubbing his nose against mine.

“Ok,” I said, a little weak in the knees.

I wasn’t ready to say goodbye, but I didn’t like the distance between Ru and I. Maybe this would be my chance to talk to him or maybe it would get worse?

“Um, Miss? You forgot it in Mr. Moon’s room.” One of the women of the crew held out my XOXO necklace.

“Oh my, thank you so much,” I said, grabbing it from her.

“Yes,” she said, smiling and left us.

“I can’t believe I almost forgot it,” I said, putting it on as I felt someone pull my hair up.

“Let me,” Ru said behind me.

He was so close I could feel his body heat. I held up my hair as he clasped it on, laying it on my neck.

“Thank you,” I said, turning around, hoping for a moment, but he had already turned away and grabbed his phone from the table.

I was getting whiplash from this man and it was annoying me.

“Come on, the house we rented is gorgeous,” Levi grabbed my hand. “But sadly, you will have to sleep with one or all of us.”

“Oh, my god, unacceptable! I demand you take me to my hostel,” I said, hearing Matteo laugh behind us.

“Nah, Gorgeous, you’re stuck with us.” Levi threw his arm over my shoulders as we left the boat.

I took one look behind us, gazing at the boat with sadness. The best two weeks of my vacation and I wished it didn’t have to end. I guess the next few days were my consolation prize, even if I never wanted to leave.

27. Matteo

I didn’t think goodbyes would be this hard.

The drive to Athens was quiet, except with the occasional giggle from Vi when she and Levi spoke. They were adorable together, showing each other things on their phone, getting excited about the same things and their constant touching. I could see how much Levi liked her. It wasn’t just him who had been pulled into Vi’s orbit. Until a few days ago, I thought we were all on the same page.

I looked over to Ru, who was busy typing away on his phone with his earbuds in. He was lying this morning when he said nothing was wrong. I let it slide when he said he was fine two days ago, but something had changed that he didn’t want to say, and I hated that he wouldn't talk to us. He said it was stress, but was it something more? PTSD? Was it Vi?