Adonis in Athens - Page 46

“It wasn’t the plan,” he admitted, “but after what happened with this deal, I feel like maybe the universe is trying to tell me something. Baba is ready to come back to work and I think Lena could do a lot more. She didn’t go to college in the U.S. to work in a clothing store! She could help until I’m ready to come back.”

Paige was watching him intently. “Apollo…”

“I know,” he said quickly, looking at her. “I know. But as I watched things play out yesterday and today, I truly feel like it might be time to do something different. Mick could help me get my résumé together and—”

“Is Mick still in San Francisco?” Melina asked quietly.

Apollo glanced at her. “Technically, yes. How did you know that?”

“We’re friends on Facebook,” she shrugged. “But I haven’t seen him on lately.”

“He’s been in Japan working on a big project for his firm,” he said absently. “You should send him a message. I’m sure he’d love to hear from you.”

“Maybe.” She shrugged.

“Your father will be upset,” Maria said.

“I’ll talk to him, but deep down, I think he’ll agree that the experience I’d get could be invaluable,” Apollo said. “And honestly, I can’t lose her again.” He glanced at Paige.

Paige moved into his arms, burying her face in his chest. She didn’t know why he’d suddenly decided to come to the U.S. after spending the last week trying to convince her to stay in Greece, but it made her happier than anything ever had in her life. She couldn’t imagine losing him either, and this seemed to be an excellent compromise. If things worked out, she would definitely be open to moving to Greece. It would give her time to learn the language and for them to build a foundation they didn’t have now. It seemed like the best possible plan; she just couldn’t quite believe it was happening.

It was late in the day before they got home. As expected, Dimitri wasn’t happy about Apollo’s plan to move to the U.S. and Paige had sat by helplessly as they argued in Greek, leaving her to her thoughts and worries. Apollo seemed to have made up his mind, sticking to his guns without ever raising his voice and spending a lot of time talking with his father. Eventually, they’d said their goodbyes and headed home. With the exception of Sophia, everyone had been friendly and kind, even Maria, which appeared to have surprised Apollo.

“My father must have threatened my mother within an inch of her life,” he laughed when they got back to his house. “I’ve never seen her so polite in a situation she obviously had issues with.”

“Maybe she realized that being already married is different than, ‘hey, we’re getting married,’ or, ‘hey, she’s pregnant and we have to be together,’ or something like that.”

He laughed. “I suppose there is that.”

“Apollo, you changed your mind really quick,” she said softly. “Are you sure you want to move to the States? I think it’s a knee-jerk reaction to your father hurting your feelings, combined with my hesitation to moving here.”

“Maybe,” he acknowledged. “But it’s not a bad idea and I think I could learn a lot. It would give you time to feel more comfortable about us, you know?”

“What about you?” she asked. “Don’t you feel as hesitant as I do?”

“It’s not as extreme of a change for me,” he said gently. “I lived in the States for five years and I have friends. I know the language, know my way around some, and have my own money. Even if I don’t work for my father anymore, I have money put aside and dividends that come to me no matter what. You don’t have that, so I understand why you’re reluctant. I really do.”

“Your family is going to hate me for stealing you away,” she said softly.

He shook his head. “Just as yours would hate me for the same reason.”

“It’s different for girls,” she said. “No matter how much we claim to be strong, modern women, most of us still let a man be the main breadwinner. Many of us can survive on our own, whether we’re secretaries or pharmaceutical reps or teachers, but I can only think of one of my girlfriends who makes the kind of salary that would support a family. Maybe that’s just my corner of the world, but my parents would be happy I found a man who could take care of me. As long as I was happy and could come to visit once a year or so, they wouldn’t be nearly as emotional about it as your family.”

“I think I need to put out some feelers—I’m going to talk to some buddies from college and my friend Mick—while we enjoy the time you have left in Greece. I don’t know that I can come until I’ve got some job opportunities, or at least some interviews. You’d still have to move, though. You know that I can’t work in the shipping industry from Vegas?”

“I know.”

“So you’ll have to leave your friends and family—and your job, which I know you love.”

“I love you more,” she whispered, meeting his eyes.

“Music to my ears.” He scooped her up and carried her to bed.

12

The next night they went out in a big group. Though Apollo loved having her to himself, it was becoming clear that they were going to try to stay together and that meant becoming immersed in each other’s lives. Paige already got along well with Melina and now he wanted her to meet some other important people in his life. His closest friend in Greece, Xristos, wanted to meet her, as well as a handful of other friends. He wished Sophia wasn’t being such a bitch, but after Melina spilled the beans about her ex-boyfriend yesterday, she’d kept her distance. Even without Sophia and Giorgios, though, they were a big, noisy group that settled across several tables at George’s Steak House in Glyfada.

“We eat family style here,” Apollo whispered in Paige’s ear as Dimitri began to order.