Adonis in Athens - Page 56

“I don’t know.” He looked at her helplessly. “I want to go after her, but it hurts that she didn’t even give me a chance to explain.”

“Her friend was badly injured and she had very little time to get to the airport.”

“Then why hasn’t she called?”

“Why haven’t you?” His grandmother cocked her head. “Be the man, Apollo. Don’t expect her to chase you—you have to chase her. She needs to know you want her enough to fight for her. Especially since you walked away from her three years ago. Yes, you were both responsible, but you were the man. She was a scared girl who did something very foolish; it wasn’t her job to hunt you down. And it’s not her job now, either.”

“But Yaya, what do I say? How do I explain it?”

“You tell her the truth—you love her and are willing to do whatever is necessary to keep her. And you’ll see…it might take a little while, maybe even a year or two, but she wants to come to Greece. I could see it in her eyes. She’s afraid, and I don’t blame her. What young bride wants to go to a foreign country with a man she’s only truly known a few weeks?”

He closed his eyes, nodding. “You’re right. I know you’re right.”

“Here.” She pulled the gold chain from inside her blouse and unhooked it. Taking her wedding ring off the chain, she handed it to him. “Give this to her. I know you’ll want something nicer, more modern, but for now, give this to her as a promise. Tell her it’s hers, even if things don’t work out between you. She brought so much love and joy to my heart in the time we spent together, I want her to have it.”

“But Sophia and Melina—”

“Neither of them want it. Sophia would never lower herself to wear something so small and cheap, and while Melina would wear it to please me, she’s not truly sentimental. Paige—Paige would wear it with love. Eventually, maybe on a chain around her neck, but for now, it’s the only ring you have.”

“Thank you, Yaya.” He leaned over to hug her.

“Now, go. Pack, get ready. You have a very long trip and an even longer journey to winning over your wife. Don’t come back without her, Apollo.”

He smiled. “I’ll do my best.”

Between Nora’s incessant nagging that Raegan move home to Phoenix, jet lag and lack of sleep, Paige was in a horrible mood. She’d left Greece a little more than 48 hours ago and she’d only managed about five hours of sleep on the flight and five more in an uncomfortable chair at the hospital. In addition, Tom had been texting her repeatedly, under the guise of concern about Raegan. When she questioned Raegan about it, Raegan admitted he’d been visiting her at work and giving her big tips to get information about Paige. Although Raegan hadn’t told him anything about Apollo, Paige had a feeling he was planning to use those big tips as a way of manipulating Raegan into helping him win Paige back.

“Great,” Paige muttered as they talked about it. “Now he’s blowing up my phone and threatening to come visit! Raegan, you need to cut him off. I know the money he was throwing at you was great, but I’m going to be the one taking care of you and I can’t have him up my ass all the time.”

“I know. I’m sorry. I won’t respond to his messages anymore.” Raegan looked down.

“Raegan?” Paige knew her friend well enough to know she was hiding something.

“Have you talked to your mom?” Raegan asked after a moment.

“Yeah. We’ll figure it out. I’ll sleep on the couch and you can have the futon in my old room. My mom turned it into a sewing room, so the double bed is gone, but that’s no big deal.”

“Oh, hell, Paige, I’m sorry.” Her blue eyes filled with tears and Paige shook her head.

“Stop apologizing—it’s okay. My mom is worried about you going home and Nicky could probably stay with friends on weekends so I can sleep in her bed. It’s going to work out.”

“But you have to go to work and you need your rest and—”

“Would you shut up?” Paige scowled at her. “If roles were reversed, you’d be taking care of me, so just let it go! I want you to rest and get better.”

“Can you bring me my laptop—I need to let my professor know what’s going on. I have a paper due next week that isn’t done.”

“Should I write it for you?” Paige asked dryly.

Raegan chuckled. “That would be nice, but no, I’ll get an extension.” She sighed. “Damn, I’ve got so many bills and no money coming in. I’m really in deep shit, Paige.”

“Didn’t I tell you—” Paige broke off abruptly as a huge bouquet of flowers came in, completely covering the identity of the person bringing them.

“Surprise!” Tom peered around the massive bouquet. “I thought these might cheer you up.”

“Oh! They’re so pretty.” Raegan’s eyes lit up but Paige had to resist rolling her eyes.

“How are you feeling, kiddo?” Tom put them on the table and then went to stand by Paige, though he was talking to Raegan.