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Calista smiles at me. “We didn’t mean for it to happen,” she says.
“I meant for it to happen,” I say, smiling. “At least once I saw your daughter, and tasting her cooking sealed the deal.”
“Darius wasn’t happy about it. I still don’t think he is despite talking with him.”
“That explains the black eyes you’re all sporting,” her dad says, chuckling. “He didn’t want to go into detail on what happened. He just said it was over differing opinions.”
“Pfft. Differing opinions? Is that what you call it when your brother sticks his nose where it doesn’t belong?” Calista asks.
“His heart’s in the right place,” I say. “At least he cares.”
“Don’t fret over your brother and what he thinks, gliko mou. He’s about to go to Greece for his honeymoon. I can guarantee he won’t be worried about what you two are up to.”
Calista wrinkles her nose. “I hope not. That would just be weird.”
Her dad laughs and presses a kiss on the top of her head. “Enjoy the rest of the weekend, sweetheart.”
“I will. Thank you, Dad. I love you both.” She blows kisses to them as they walk away.
“What do you think? Should we take another cruise around the dance floor?” I ask. I wouldn’t mind holding her in my arms some more. I’m proud to be with her and I want the whole world to see.
“If these shoes weren’t so uncomfortable I’d take you up on that offer. But we still have to walk all the way back to your cottage, and that’s a decent trek from here.”
“Let’s get out of here, then,” I suggest, opening the exit door.
Once we’re outside, Calista hesitates. “Darius and Evie already left, so we don’t have to find them. Do you think it’s rude if we skip saying goodbye to our friends?”
“Not at all.” I take her hand, slotting our fingers together, and we start to walk.
Calista drags a deep breath in through her nose. “It smells wonderful here with all these flower beds. You should add some more flowers to your yard. Right in front of your house in the middle of your driveway where that dirt patch is, you need a bed of flowers. I can see it now, lots of reds and golds and frame it all out with rocks.”
I’m picturing it as she describes it all to me.
“I like that idea. Will you help me with the design?”
She smiles. “I’d love to.”
“Will you help me with the planting too?”
“Absolutely. When can we start?” Her excitement is almost tangible.
“This week.”
“Ouch.” Calista comes to an abrupt stop. “These damn shoes. Now I’ve got something stuck in there.” She jiggles her foot until a tiny pebble falls to the ground.
I let go of her hand and turn my back toward her, bending over. “Here. Hop on.”
“Thank you, Jesus,” she says, jumping on me.
Catching hold of her legs, I start walking. “I think you mean, thank you, Ryder.”
“You too. Good horsey,” she says, scratching the top of my head. “Giddyup.”
“When we get back to the cottage I’ll let you ride me all you want,” I say.
She laughs. “You’re such a guy.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment.”
