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Christos met her gaze. ‘You do?’
‘It’s not the same as what happened to you, but…’
Her voice faltered as her insecurities threatened to overwhelm her.
Could she do it?
Could she tell Christos about Adam? She’d only known Christos for a matter of weeks, but she had felt a connection with him from the moment they’d met, the moment he’d wrapped his arms around her waist and held her tight so she didn’t fall. She felt safe in his company, like she could say anything and he would understand, so she shoved away her doubts and launched into the story.
‘Adam, my fiancé, he didn’t support me when I needed him most, either. In fact, he wouldn’t even speak to me. He refused all my calls and ignored all my texts, and when I went back to the apartment we shared in Wimbledon, he’d changed the locks and I couldn’t even get into my own home. Not only that, he also emptied our joint bank account, leaving me with no money and nowhere to go. I lost count of how many voicemails I left for him, and the only response I ever got back was that if I didn’t stop harassing him, he’d be forced to take legal action. I was devastated and if it hadn’t been for Mum and Amber, I don’t know what I’d have done.’
‘Suzie, I’m so sorry you had to go through that.’
Silence descended over the balcony, as even the cicadas seemed to understand that their song wasn’t appropriate. She knew that Christos was waiting for her to expand on the reasons Adam had treated her in such a cold and heartless way, but at the final hurdle, she just couldn’t bring herself to do it.
She wanted to; she really did.
But it was like there was a voracious monster living inside her, feeding on her confidence and self-esteem. She was desperate to evict it, yet she just didn’t seem to have that last molecule of the strength she needed to do what was necessary. She knew she was a coward, but unlike Christos – whom she assumed had initially courted the media, maybe even enjoyed its attention, and was now angry with its servants for invading his privacy – she wasn’t angry, she was scared. No, she wasterrifiedof them.
Whilst she was relieved to know that the focus of the YouTube video had been Christos and not her, his celebrity meant that more people would now know he was living in Santorini, which meant there would be an increased likelihood of fans, and reporters, turning up there, hoping to “bump” into him. Even if he kept the lowest of profiles, there was still a chance there would be more vlogs, reels, and posts on social media channels, and she just couldn’t take the risk of those videos including her.
She had grown close to Christos over the last few weeks, and his presence in her life had helped her to start to think she might be able to put the trauma of her past behind her and move on to a more carefree future, but she had been fooling herself. The fear was still there, and while it broke her heart, she knew that the only thing she could do to protect herself from a return of the nightmare she’d endured twelve months ago, was to distance herself from him.
Chapter Twenty Two
A few days later, against her better judgement, Suzie agreed to have a drink with Christos at the taverna. She’d been busy at the gallery, and he’d had a spate of last-minute bookings for sunset cruises and day trips around the coast, and if she was honest with herself, she’d missed him, she’d missed him a lot. However, she intended to use the opportunity speak to him and suggest that for the time being it was probably best if they remained friends.
Christos met her at the top of the dusty driveway that led toTaverna Giorgos, the smile on his face telling Suzie everything she needed to know. When he laced his fingers through hers the way he always did, she realised that her feelings for him had progressed well beyond the realms of friendship. With him walking by her side, she felt as though she could conquer anything, even the actions of opportunist photographers and unscrupulous vloggers.
It was late afternoon, the sun had lost its vigour, and there was a welcome breeze rippling through the leaves of the olive trees that lined their route. Birds flitted from branch to branch, following their progress with interest and chirping their encouragement, before flying off in search of that day’s dinner.
The season was almost at an end, and only a handful of customers were enjoying a drink on the veranda, which, to her surprise, didn’t include Nathan and his trusty notebook. She was about to follow Christos to their usual table in the corner when she noticed Giorgos slumped on a stool at the end of the bar, his handsome face solemn as he stirred his coffee, round and round and round, looking as though all the troubles of the world were on his shoulders.
‘Hey guys,’ said Heidi, bustling over to greet them, her makeup as sparkly as ever but her mood more subdued than usual. ‘What can I get you?’
‘Just a coffee, please,’ said Suzie.
‘Christos?’
‘Yes, please. Thanks, Heidi,’ said Christos, relaxing back into his chair.
‘What’s wrong with Giorgos?’ asked Suzie.
‘Haven’t you heard?’
‘Heard what?’
‘Miranda’s husband turned up last night.’
‘What?’
‘Apparently he’s “seen the error of his ways” and wants her back.’ Heidi wrinkled her nose. ‘He told her that his midlife crisis is over, and that he decided to split up with his much younger girlfriend when he realised what he’d lost. He’s promised her a fresh start when they get back home to Bristol.’
‘What’s she going to do?’ asked Christos, glancing across to where Giorgos was still stirring his coffee, his spoon clinking disconsolately against the cup.
‘I don’t know. I haven’t heard from her all day.’
‘And Giorgos?’
