Page 140 of Once in a Lifetime, Part 2

“I’m your what?” Mano asked.

Ody smiled, a little shy. “My boyfriend. Aren’t you?”

A bitter laugh slipped from Mano’s lips. “Great. You’ve got a boyfriend and a girlfriend.”

Ody’s expression faltered. “I’ll talk to her when we’re back,” he said. “I will.”

“Do whatever you want, Ody. I never told you what to do.”

Ody stepped closer, wrapping his arms around his waist. He held his stare, close enough that Mano stilled. “Do you love me?”

Mano’s eyes widened, his chest rising a little too fast.

Ody didn’t look away. “Do you love me? I want to hear you say it. Just once.” His voice softened. “I’ve got my own shit in my head, Mano. Please… make me feel safe.”

Mano swallowed. His lips parted, but no words came out. He shifted, trying to pull back.

“Do you love me?” Ody tightened his hold, not letting him go.

Mano’s breath caught. His eyes fell shut for a second, like the words physically hurt to hear.

Ody stayed still, waiting. Hoping.

Mano tried to pull away again, tension creeping into his shoulders, but Ody held on, searching for any sign he was about to answer. He slipped free. “They’re waiting for us. Let’s go.” He turned and headed down the steps.

Ody stayed where he was, watching him go.

The sixteenth of August slipped by without much to mark it. They only had one day left before heading back, so they kept things simple. Like their first day, they gathered to watch a movie, then went for a swim later in the afternoon.

The next morning, they woke early, grabbed breakfast, and packed their things. They handed over their keys at the reception desk, before heading to the airport.

They killed time wandering through the shops. Souvenirs, last-minute gifts, anything to hold onto the trip a little longer. Mano picked out a shot glass with a map of Mykonos. Ody grabbed a keychain.

As they stepped out of the plane, Ody pulled his phone out, answering the call as he moved a few steps away.

“What did Anna say earlier?” Mano asked once they were alone in the back seat of a taxi.

Ody stared ahead. “We’re meeting tonight.”

The car fell quiet, the hum of the engine filling the space between them.

Back home, Mano took a cool shower, changed, and picked up his guitar. A few melodies had been stuck in his head, looping, unfinished. He played them out, one after the other, not quite getting them right. Later, he stopped by the grocery store and picked up what he needed for one of Ody’s recipes.

While the food cooked, he scrolled until a familiar face caught his eye. Ranya. She was in Crete, her long black hair falling over her chest, lips curved into a soft smile.

He tapped the heart and kept scrolling. A moment later, a message came through.

Ranya: What’s up Mano? Been a while since we talked

Mano glanced at the screen before typing back. I’m good just got back from Mykonos

The reply came almost instantly. Really? I’m in Crete

Mano: Yeah I saw

Three dots appeared. Disappeared. Then again. Ranya: I’m coming back in three days. Want to grab a coffee?

Mano’s thumb hovered over the screen for a moment before he typed. Not sure… Text me when you’re back and we’ll see