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“Tomorrow, Harris arrives with the camera crew,” Nikos continued. “I’ll meet them at the port and bring them to the springs where you’ll be waiting with the statue. There will be witnesses, so he won’t be able to claim the discovery as his own.”

“Okay.” I nodded, but a knot of anxiety had formed in my stomach and even the tsipouro couldn’t chase it away. I was going to confront someone who I’d looked up to for most of my life. And though I was righteously angry with him, I hated confrontations.

But more than anything, I felt protective of the statue. If it were up to me, I’d keep her hidden. She’d revealed herself to me. Why? I didn’t know yet, and it didn’t feel right to expose her to the world before I’d discovered her secrets.

Callie’s phone rang and everyone jumped. We were all on edge, but it wasn’t Harris. “It’s Liv!” Callie cried, propping the phone up on the table so we could all be part of the video call with Levi’s cousin, Olivia. We’d met once many years ago when we were both awkward adolescents and I was surprised she remembered me.

“Of course, I remember you! I had so much fun that summer camping with your family. Levi was the happiest I’d ever seen him,” she assured me.

Levi grabbed my hand and squeezed it tight as we reminisced about that summer. To my surprise he even shared a funny story about Josh getting caught skinny-dipping by his Spanish teacher and her daughters. It was the first time that we’d talked about Josh without sadness or regret. I could have listened to him talk about my brother all night.

“Can I see your discovery?” Olivia asked finally. I’d been holding the box on my knees since we got back from the site. Gently, I removed the statue and held her up to the screen.

“Look, Charlie!” Olivia cooed to the adorable baby in her lap. He drooled and gnawed his fist. “I don’t think he sees it. He’s only recently discovered his hands, and for the moment they’re the most fascinating thing on earth.”

Levi laughed. “Wait until he discovers his —ah!” I jabbed him in the ribs. “Feet. I was going to say feet. Geez, Indy.”

“So that’s one childhood dream realized,” Olivia continued. “How about yours, Levi? How’s the application coming along?”

“Yeah, where are you on that?” asked Callie pouring us both another glass of tsipouro.

Levi stiffened and did that thing where he rubbed his forehead between his thumb and index finger like he was willing the perfect response to jump from his head. An uncomfortable silence descended, and I had the awkward feeling of being the only one in the room who had no idea what she was talking about.

“What application?” I asked.

“For NASA! They’re closing the application cycle in two weeks. There won’t be another one for four years.”

“You didn’t tell me about that!” I gaped at Levi, a rock in my stomach. I’d brought up space a few times and he’d always brushed me off.

“I’ve been busy,” he mumbled.

“Levi! Come on, this is your dream!” Olivia cried, startling the baby who also began to fuss.

“Yeah, Levi, you have to go for it,” Callie chimed in.

I sat there silently because what could I say? He’d kept me in the dark.

“Can you just drop it, please!” Levi snapped and everyone went silent. The baby started crying again.

“I better go,” Olivia said. “Levi, I’ll call you later.”

Once we hung up, Nikos changed the subject, telling more funny stories about his love affair with Callie. But between the looming confrontation tomorrow with my mentor and Levi’s big secret, I couldn’t concentrate.

Callie must have noticed I’d zoned out. “You two must be exhausted. You can stay in the extra room here. Or if you’re feeling adventurous, we’ve got something a little more rustic for you.”

“Rustic sounds fun.” Levi smiled at me, acting like nothing had happened, and I pretended to go along.

Chapter 31

Diana

We ended up staying in a tiny cottage up the hill with a jaw-dropping view of ruins of Aphrodite’s temple and a few sleeping goats on the front porch.

“This place is way better than Callie made it out to be,” Levi said. “She stayed here when she first arrived on the island, and from the way she described it, it sounded like a real hovel.”

The entire place had been renovated by Nikos and decorated by Callie. I recognized her bohemian style in the overstuffed sofa, plush cushions in all sorts of patterns and fabrics, and golden fairy lights strung up along the walls. It smelled like lemons with a hint of fresh paint, and the large bed was clean and inviting.

While Levi heated water for tea, I stood at the window, watching the clouds roll over the moon, so absorbed in my thoughts that I didn’t hear him approaching. I jumped in surprise when he slid his arms around my waist. “You did it, Indy. Are you happy?”