THIRTY-FIVE
Before meeting Luca and Alessandro for breakfast, Lena and I sit on the balcony of our hotel room, sipping coffee and soaking in the view of Santorini. The vibrant colors of the island, with its white-washed buildings and azure sea, create a serene backdrop for our conversation.
“You know, Charlie,”
Lena began, swirling her coffee cup thoughtfully, “there’s this idea that in the course of many lifetimes, you might run into the one person meant for you.”
I raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “Like a soulmate?”
“Exactly,”
she confirmed, her eyes lighting up. “It’s such a small probability, though. Imagine, out of all the people in the world, you cross paths with that one person. It’s so rare, but when it happens, you know it. The attraction is magnetic. Everything feels easy, natural.”
I nodded, thinking about the fleeting connections we’ve both had in the past. “But what if it doesn’t work out? What if there’s a block or a decision that changes everything?”
Lena shrugged, a wistful smile on her lips. “That’s the tricky part. It doesn’t usually work out in one lifetime. There are always obstacles, wrong timings, different paths. But I like to think that in one of our lifetimes, we get to spend it together with that person. It’s romantic, isn’t it?”
I smiled, touched by her optimism. She always had these majestic ideals for love. “It’s romantic. I’d like to believe that too.”
She looked dreamily at the horizon. “Just think, maybe one day, you’ll meet someone who feels like that. Someone who fits perfectly into your life, no matter what.”
I sighed, feeling a mixture of hope and doubt, mainly doubt. I was more of a realistic where she was a dreamer. “I guess we’ll see. For now, I’m just happy to be here with you, enjoying this beautiful place.”
Lena grinned in agreeable and raised her coffee cup in a toast. “To this lifetime and whatever it brings.”
“To this lifetime,”
I echoed, clinking my cup against hers.
The morning sun casts a golden glow over the Santorini scenery as Lena and I made our way to a quaint little café called Kafé Kalimera. The air was filled with the rich aroma of freshly brewed coffee and the scent of warm pastries. We spotted Luca and Alessandro already seated at a charming table on the terrace, overlooking the azure sea.
“Good morning!”
Luca greeted us with a bright smile, standing up to pull out our chairs.
“Buongiorno!”
Alessandro added, his eyes twinkling with warmth. He stood up and kissed both Lena’s cheeks.
We sat down, and a friendly waiter quickly brought us menus. We ordered a delightful spread: freshly baked croissants, Greek yogurt with honey and nuts, juicy slices of watermelon, and a platter of cheeses and cured meats. The coffee is strong and fragrant, perfectly complementing the array of flavors before us.
“This yogurt is amazing,”
Lena said, savoring a spoonful topped with honey.
“It really is,”
I agreed, relishing the creamy texture and sweet richness. “And these croissants? Flaky perfection.”
Alessandro chuckled. “It’s the simple pleasures, no?”
We enjoyed a leisurely breakfast, the conversation flowed effortlessly. The guys filled us in on their wine conference—all the different vendors and events coming up. The morning sun warmed our faces, and the view of the sparkling sea set the perfect backdrop for our meal.
After breakfast, we headed to Perivolos Beach, known for crystal-clear waters. The beach was relatively quiet, allowing us to find a perfect spot to lay our towels and set up for a few hours of sun and swimming.
The water was cool and refreshing, and we swam and splashed around like carefree kids. Lena and I took turns trying to outdo each other with handstands, while Luca and Alessandro watched from the loungers.
“What in the actual fuck, Charlie,”
Lena whispered to me, even those nobody was close enough to overhear our conversation.
“What,”
I asked, not sure what Lena was talking about.
“Luca is so fucking hot,”
she looked towards the guys, who were too deep in their own conversation to concern themselves over ours.
“I don’t think I left that detail out,” I mocked.
“I guess you didn’t, but his eyes,”
she swooned, pulling my arm to wade into the water.
“Ridiculous, I know,” I agreed.
“Charlie,”
she said, making sure I was giving her my full attention. We were waist deep in the water now and I was adjusting my tiny bikini top.
“Lena,”
I said and looked her right in the eyes.
“You really like him, don’t you,”
she asked, but already knew the answer.
“I do.”
No sense avoiding the truth—it didn’t change anything. I did like Luca. I wanted to spend as much time as possible with him. I was close to being obsessed with those stunning blue eyes and wavy dark hair, his body entangled in mine.
“I get it,”
she paused.
“Remember, when we spent that weekend binging the Bridgestone Series. We mocked the ‘I burn for you”
line like it was complete shitty writing,” I laughed at myself. “I get it. I totally get it!”
“You’re an idiot,”
Lena laughed with me, but still at me.
After swimming, we stretched out on our towels, letting the sun dry our skin. The conversation drifted to dreams, future plans, and the funny stories from Lena—and most of them embarrassing one about me. It’s easy and natural, like we’ve known each other for years.
Late into the afternoon, we boarded a boat. It was sleek and the white hulls cut smoothly through the water. The rhythmic swish of the waves filled my ears as the wind whipped through my hair, carrying a thrill of anticipation. The sea sparkled under the sun, shifting from rich blues to soft greens as we skimmed past the shore. Our destination—a tiny, uninhabited island—felt like something out of a dream, a place untouched by time.
When we arrived, the restaurant greeted us like a secret from another era. Perched on the cliff’s edge, its stone walls were draped in ivy, and the scent of saltwater mingled with the faint musk of aged wood. Tables dotted the terrace, shaded by oversized umbrellas, and the view was breathtaking—cobalt water stretching out below as though the whole place was floating above the sea.
The meal was nothing short of perfection. Buttery grilled lobster, octopus so tender it practically dissolved on my tongue, and grape leaves spiced just right. We shared platters of tangy tzatziki with warm pita, washing it all down with chilled Assyrtiko wine that tasted like sunshine in a glass. The flavors were vivid and alive, the kind of food that made you slow down and savor every bite.
There’s an easy rhythm to the meal. Voices stayed soft, laughter rose now and then, and the sun glinted off the waves in a way that feels almost too beautiful to be real. I glanced around the table, catching snippets of conversation, and I knew we’re all thinking the same thing—this might be the best summer day any of us have ever had.
After dinner, we climbed back onto the boat. The sea was dotted with other sails, but it’s still quiet, peaceful. As we neared the shore, the sand gleamed warm and inviting under the sun. Stepping off the boat, my feet sank into the softness, and the sound of the waves lapped at the shore wrapped around me like a balm.
Lena looped her arm through mine, her cheeks pink from laughter and wine. “What’s the plan now, fearless leader?”
she teased, nudging me.
I glanced at Alessandro and Luca, both walking just a step behind us. Alessandro, ever the charmer, looked utterly at ease, while Luca’s gaze lingered on me, warm and steady. “Well,”
I said, turning back to Lena, “we could head to the back to the beach and just… see where the night takes us.”
“Spontaneous Charlie. I like it,”
Alessandro said with a grin, hands tucked casually in his pockets.
Luca’s voice was low but amused. “Lead the way.”
We bought some drinks at the bar along the way, each carrying two. The beach was quiet, the crowd from earlier long gone. A gentle breeze rustled through the palm trees, and the moon cast a silver glow over the waves. We kicked off our shoes and wandered closer to the water, the sand cool beneath our feet.
“Alright,”
Lena said, spinning to face us all. “We need some entertainment. Anyone know a good drinking game?”
Alessandro chuckled. “Lena, you’re relentless. But fine, let’s play Never Have I Ever. Simple and dangerous.”
I rolled my eyes but couldn’t help laughing. “Dangerous for you, maybe. Don’t think I forgot your stories growing up.”
The game started lighthearted, with Alessandro admitting to things like skinny-dipping in Santorini (which, to no one’s surprise, had been earlier this summer) and Lena confessing to accidentally stealing a stranger’s sandals at a party.
When it was Luca’s turn, his eyes met mine, a mischievous glint there that sent my pulse racing. “Never have I ever… been to Greece without falling for the charm of the islands.”
I took a sip, feeling his gaze on me. “It’s impossible not to,”
I said, my voice quieter than I intended.
Lena groaned dramatically. “If I weren’t here, you two would be insufferable.”
“Good thing you’re here to keep us grounded,”
Alessandro quipped, raising his glass.
Eventually, the game faded into laughter and more wine, and Alessandro wandered off to gather driftwood for a small fire. Luca helped him build it, the two of them working in companionable silence as Lena and I sat back, letting the warm glow of the flames wash over us.
“This is the kind of night you write about,”
Lena said softly, her head resting against my shoulder.
I glanced at her, then at the two men by the fire. Luca caught my eye and smiled, something unspoken passing between us. “Yeah,”
I said, my voice barely above a whisper. “It really is.”
The night stretched on, the stars above seeming brighter than ever. By the time we finally made our way back to the hotel, shoes in hand and sand sticking to our feet, it felt like the kind of night none of us would ever forget.