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All this means I have to talk to Marco. He’s expecting me to come back to Greece in a week. Instead, I’ve agreed to stay in Phoenix for another month. I know he will be pissed, but it’s not like he’s gone out of his way to see me since I came to the US either. Which to me means he’s slowly reverting back to the Marco I remember when I was younger. I guess that’s why I called Melina first. I wanted to see what she thought. I’m thinking, based on her reaction, Marco might not be as easygoing about my extension as I had hoped.
The good part of this conversation is that I’ve managed to make sure there is no sadness in my voice, none of the pain I feel from being away from Marco. I sound carefree. I’m not. Yet, it’s good she thinks I am. That means when I talk to Marco, I will be able to pull that off with him. Maybe.
Melina is like a mother hen when it comes to ones she loves and that has only increased since her hot as hell hubby knocked her up. I count myself lucky that I’m one of the one’s that she let inside her heart. She’s probably the only person who has ever loved me. That’s not something I take lightly.
“Do you have to spread your wings so far away? I mean, you’re in the US, can’t you at least stay in Miami? Marco will lose his mind when he finds out you’re working closely with some hot guy billionaire. I mean, if you were going to kick my brother to the curb couldn’t you find a hot guy here? Heck, Antonio has some really sexy bodyguards. Levi is single and so is Zane and you know they like you.”
“I didn’t come to Phoenix to find a hot guy,” I laugh. “I came because I needed to get out of Greece, and I’m not dating anyone. Your brother might be slowly reverting back ignoring me again, but I don’t think even I am prepared to see what he’ll do if he thinks I’m dating someone while I’m technically engaged to him.”
“You know how crazy that sounds, right? I don’t think anything with Marco involved should be qualified as technically, honey.”
I let out a deep breath and flop down on my bed. “I think I need a little crazy, Melina. I’ve lived in shadows my whole life trying to stay out of my father’s way. I definitely was in the shadows of your brother’s life. I think…” I let out a sigh and close my eyes, my grip on my phone tightening. “I want my life to be different. I need it to be different than what I’ve had. I’m not dating. I swear. My boss is from Greece. I didn’t know him and we’re not dating. I don’t want to date and he understands that. He makes me laugh and he’s fun to be around. I need fun, Melina.”
“I know,” she whispers, and I know she understands. Melina still sounds sad, though.
“I’m not here for him or anything like that. I’m here to find myself. This isn’t about me finding someone else. This is about me learning to love myself.”
“Are you doing that?”
“I think I am starting to. I love my job. My work for the gallery means something. I’m making a name for myself. I’m good at it. Melody and Z say that I can plan this next exhibition solely on my own.”
“Melody?”
“She’s the manager at the gallery. She’s technically my boss, since she has more interaction with Z than I do. He may own the gallery, but she’s the decision maker.”
“You sound really happy, Helen.”
“I am,” I mostly lie.
“I just want to put this out there,” she responds, and I frown.
“Put what out there?”
“There are galleries in Miami. I’m pretty sure my man could even get you a job in one.”
I laugh, feeling my heart warm. Yeah, that’s Melina. She loves me and she wants me happy. She wants to take care of me.
“Love you,” I murmur.
“You too, Helen. Will you call me soon?”
“You know it,” I agree without question.
“Good. I also expect to hear more about this Z person,” she mumbles, making my smile deepen.
“If I see him again, you will be the first person I dish to,” I vow.
“If?”
“Melina, I told you. I’m here for my job. I mostly do that job with Melody. I very rarely come in contact with Z.”
“Whatever. I just know my brother is not going to be happy.”
“I’m not sure he will care either way,” I respond, my words hurting my heart even as I say them.
“I think you’re wrong, but if he doesn’t then I hope this Z guy steps up.”
I shake my head, but don’t respond. Z is good looking, but he’s not Marco. God, I’m so stupid.
