Adonis in Athens - Page 52

“No, that’s okay, I got it. Thank you.” She disconnected and ran back to Apollo’s room, yanking her suitcase out of the closet and throwing her clothes into it haphazardly. She left Melina’s fancy red dress and matching shoes in the closet, along with the bathing suit Apollo had bought her and the pretty white dress she’d been wearing when she’d gone to see him her first day in Greece. She would get them next time she came or he could bring them with him when he met her in Vegas.

Working on autopilot, she finished packing as she used the phone to call the airlines. Since she could call the U.S. without long-distance charges, she called them directly, tearfully explaining the situation to the ticket agent who answered. There was a flight leaving at 1:00, just under four hours from now, and for a fee she could get on the flight. She quickly agreed, giving the woman her credit card number and throwing the last of her things into her carry-on bag.

Pulling her suitcase and carry-on to the street, she was grateful to see a taxi at the corner and gestured wildly until he saw her. She got in and told him where to go. She had to explain to Apollo what had happened and let him know she was leaving; after their abrupt parting three years ago, she didn’t want there to be any misunderstandings. She was upset, though. The idea that Raegan had fallen asleep at the wheel bothered her. She knew her friend worked too many hours but nothing like this had ever happened before. She wondered if something had changed, if Raegan had run into trouble financially. Raegan was the best friend a girl could ask for, but she was terrible with money. Paige had finally gotten her to a point where rent and groceries became a priority. Paige forced Raegan to give her money every night she worked so that her share of the rent would be covered, and for a while things had gone well. Paige had been distracted the last few months, though, and with her being gone for two weeks, she could only imagine what Raegan had been spending.

The cab slowed to a stop in front of Lakkas, International, and Paige asked him to wait, just in case Apollo was too busy to take her to the airport. Between meetings with his father and the staff, and Mick’s arrival, she didn’t want to interrupt his day. She would see him in two days, after all, when he got to Vegas.

She walked in and smiled at the staff who recognized her now and called out greetings.

“Is Apollo in his office?” she asked Melina, who was working today.

“Yes, he’s—” Melina didn’t even finish talking before Paige disappeared down the hall. She hated being rude but she had no time today.

Paige heard muffled voices as she approached the office and paused when she heard Apollo saying,”…and I had to do something.”

“So you never planned to live in the States?”

“Not really.” Apollo’s sigh was barely audible.

Paige’s hand flew to her mouth and she froze, unsure whether to walk in or keep listening.

“Dude, if you love her—”

“Of course I love her—that’s why I don’t want to lose her!”

“And you think starting your marriage on a lie is the best way to not lose her?”

Paige’s thoughts were reeling and she felt a little sick, but she couldn’t do this now. Raegan needed her and there was only so much she could sacrifice for Apollo; if he truly loved her, he would understand. Whatever he was discussing with Mick would have to be dealt with after she was sure Raegan was okay. If she confronted him now, it could turn into a long, heated discussion and she would barely make this flight as it was, even if she left right this minute.

Frustrated, she turned and hurried back to the front, calling out to Melina as she breezed through the door. “I have an emergency at home—my roommate was in a bad car accident. I’m on the next flight so I have to go! Tell Apollo to call me!”

“Paige!” Melina stood up in alarm. “Wait! How are you—”

“Taxi!” Paige called out, rushing out the door. She glanced back at her sister-in-law and gave her a soft smile. “Thanks for being my friend through all of this—you’re a wonderful sister-in-law. I really hope I see you again.” Then she was gone.

For a moment, Melina was too confused to move. By the time she got to the front of the building, all she could see was the back of the cab and she stared for a moment. Then she turned and hurried back to Apollo’s office. She didn’t want to spend any more time with Mick than necessary, but something had obviously happened for Paige not to talk to Apollo and run to the airport in a cab.

She stalked into her brother’s office scowling. “What did you do?!” she hissed, putting her hands on her hips.

Apollo paused mid-sentence, his mouth opening slightly as he knitted his brows together. “Lena, what are you talking about?”

“Paige was just here. She came running back to see you and then turned around and ran back out, yelling that someone back home had been in an accident and that she was taking a taxi to the airport. What were you two talking about that would have made her do that?”

Apollo groaned and Mick grimaced.

“I told you lying wasn’t good.” Mick shook his head.

“What did you lie about?”

“Nothing!” Apollo got up. “Shit, did she say what flight she’s on?”

“No, and there are probably a couple leaving in the next two hours or so.”

“Is she going to make it?” Mick asked dryly. “I mean, it’s an hour to the airport.”

“She’ll make it,” Apollo grunted. “Dammit, I can’t even go after her until the day after tomorrow when—”

“Day after tomorrow?” Melina stared at him. “Have you lost your mind? Do you love her?”