Page 69 of The Greek Café

‘I do.’ He nods. ‘And maybe we could also take Zeta out for a meal together.’

‘Us?’

‘Sure. It would be my pleasure.’ His dark-brown eyes bore into my mine. ‘Unless you do not think it is a good idea?’

‘No, that sounds lovely,’ I find myself saying.

‘Perfect. I think I know just the place.’

Just then my phone pings.

‘Details of the florist,’ he says as he drains his beer before leaving.

It takes me a few minutes to compose myself after Takis leaves. So he wants to join me when I take Zeta to dinner? A part of me thinks it is simply because he knows of a good restaurant, although he could have simply recommended it as he did with the florist.

Sitting and watching the waves roll onto the sand and shingle beach as the sunset falls, I try to push all thought of Takis from my mind. I came here to work before I stumbled on the little café and decided to try and bring it back to life. The last thing I need is a bunch of conflicting emotions around a charming Greek man who already has a girlfriend. I think it’s time to throw myself wholeheartedly into making a success of the café.

THIRTY-FIVE

‘So, you are really going then?’

A few days later, I am eating breakfast with Kai, when he lets me know that he will moving to Australia the following week.

‘Yep. I will be there for their summer, rather than returning to the winter months in the UK,’ he tells me.

‘Ah, so this is why you have a permanent tan – you like to chase the sun.’

He flashes his brilliant smile.

‘Something like that. You could have come with me if you hadn’t bought the café,’ he says as he tucks into his scrambled eggs. ‘We could have had a blast. Some of the beaches there are something else.’

‘Tempting as that sounds, I’m not sure I could cope with all those snakes and spiders.’ I give a shudder.

‘I thought you didn’t mind spiders?’

‘I don’t really but they have dangerous ones in Australia. Do you think you might settle there?’ I ask him as I eat my usual yoghurt, fruit and honey. This morning, I add a croissant as I feel more hungry than usual.

‘I guess we have to settle somewhere eventually.’ He shrugs. ‘But at my tender age, I have no idea where.’

‘Love sometimes determines that,’ I tell him. ‘So many people stay in the place they discover their true love.’

‘Is that what you hope might happen here in Greece?’

He nods his head towards the pool area where Takis is walking. Takis lifts his hand and waves.

‘What do you mean by that?’ I protest, but mildly.

‘Oh, come on, I’ve seen the way you glance at him.’ He raises an eyebrow. ‘I can understand why though. I would, if I was that way inclined.’

‘Kai!’ I throw my paper napkin at him. ‘You’re terrible. And also mistaken. Zeta told me that Takis has a girlfriend.’

‘But if he didn’t?’

‘I came here to work,’ I remind him. ‘I don’t need any added complications in my life, thank you.’

‘If you say so.’ He flashes that mischievous grin. ‘Anyway, I must be off. Nearly time to get ready for my aqua class.’

‘You mustn’t keep your adoring audience waiting,’ I tease.