Adonis in Athens - Page 70

“Here.” Melina grabbed a clip from the counter and loosely pulled Paige’s hair up so that it was off her shoulders, revealing her slender neck and tanned skin.

“Koukla!” Thespina said with a smile.

“It’s so beautiful,” Paige breathed. “Thank you!” She hugged the old woman tightly, trying not to cry.

“Let me see!” her mother said softly, as she joined them. “Oh, it’s perfect. Absolutely perfect, Paige.”

“I think so too.” Paige swiped at her eyes. “I don’t want Apollo to see it until the ceremony.”

“I’ll take care of it,” her mother said, as Paige took it off again.

“Do you have a ring yet?” Nicky asked.

Paige shook her head. “He wants to surprise me, but I’m wearing this one—” she held out the ring finger where Thespina’s wedding band twinkled now that it had been cleaned and polished, “—until the wedding. Then I’m going to switch it over to my right hand, which is where the Greeks wear wedding rings, and put the new one on my left.”

“That’s so sweet,” Nicky sighed.

“He’s so romantic,” Raegan agreed.

“And hot!” Nicky added.

“Ew, you’re talking about my brother!” Melina laughed.

They all giggled.

Everything was set for the wedding, so they took the time to do some sightseeing and made a point to allow the families to get to know each other. Sophia had been surly and withdrawn, as usual, and Melina fought a wave of guilt. She hadn’t meant to say what she’d said to her the day Paige had first come to dinner—it had been unfair—but she’d been angry. It had been three years; it was time for Sophia to move on. She didn’t love Giorgios, there was no doubt about that, and Melina was tired of watching her suffer.

Since she was sharing a hotel room with Sophia and three-year-old Mihalis, she decided to stay behind with her tonight instead of going out with the others. Besides, too many nights watching Mick and Raegan laugh and flirt was making her skin crawl. She’d tried desperately to forget about her brother’s blue-eyed best friend, but it wasn’t easy.

Sophia came out of the bathroom carrying a wet and sleepy Mihalis in her arms. She’d just bathed him and he was wrapped in a towel, his eyes half-closed as he nestled against his mother.

“Thea Lena!” Aunt Lena! He squirmed when he saw Melina, reaching out his arms to her.

Sophia sighed, and put the child in Melina’s arms. “What are you doing here? I thought you left with the others.”

Melina stroked the toddler’s silky hair as she absently dried him off. “No. I felt bad that you’ve been staying in every night so I thought I’d stay too. We can put him to bed, order room service and talk.”

“About what?” Sophia fixed her sister with an icy stare.

“Come on, don’t do that.”

“Look, if you’re going to stay in, I can go out.” Sophia folded her arms across her chest.

Melina scowled. “Really? You hate me so much that you won’t even spend an evening with me?”

“The only reason you spend any time with me is so that you can spend time with him.” She motioned to Mihalis with her chin.

“I just said we’d put him to bed so you and I can spend time together!” Melina protested, her chest tightening angrily. “Dammit, Sophia, you’ve got to stop it!”

“You ruined my life!” Sophia hissed.

“It’s not my fault he didn’t love you!”

“Shut up!” Sophia balled up her hands into fists. “Don’t make this about me! I gave up everything that meant anything to me for you! And now I’m stuck with—”

“Divorce him!” Melina cried.

“Thea?” Mihalis’ eyes filled with tears as the adults’ raised voices scared him.