Chapter 16
Chapter Sixteen
“I’m so sorry about your father,” Stefanos says immediately. Around us, the din of the bar continues in the low light. Dance music plays on, loud conversations fill the room. “Yes, of course, I heard the news about the King last year. My condolences. I can’t even begin to imagine.”
“Me either,” I admit, fidgeting with my cuff. “Even though I’ve had some time now to get used to the idea he’s gone. Before that, despite my being away in London the last few years, my father was always supportive of me. Even if he didn’t always understand my choices.”
“That’s a big loss.”
“Yeah. It’s a struggle, to be honest. Sometimes I forget, and then some little thing will remind me of him, and it all comes back like it just happened.
And I guess… the thing we talked about earlier, about Aidan…
it hurt so much because Aidan had been so supportive at first, and I guess I leaned on him—and then he did this.
Like… I don’t know. As if my grief was cancelled, too, when he dumped me.
Because maybe I was too sad around him sometimes. ”
“Theo,” Stef says quietly, his gaze fixed on me like I’m the only other person in this bar. “It’s totally reasonable to be sad because your father died.”
“Yeah. Maybe.” I gulp down some beer like it’s some kind of elixir from loss, looking away.
I set the glass down. It’s still not easy to talk about Papa, cutting too close for my usual bluster to cover, still grieving him privately and too self-conscious to say much more because of the way Aidan reacted when I tried to talk about my father’s passing.
Aidan had a way of dismissing me like my loss didn’t matter because I was a prince and I could have everything I wanted.
So he said. Wanting my father to be alive definitely didn’t bring him back.
So much for Aidan’s hypothesis. My lips twitch, and I smooth my expression to neutral, pushing this line of thinking aside for another time.
Stefanos considers me. “Do you want to get out of here? I have something I could show you.”
“If I had a pound for every time a man’s said that to me,” I quip and shake my head, a wry smile spreading across my lips. Just as quickly, I don’t feel as heavy anymore.
I’m rewarded with his laugher and flush. “Let’s go.”
We pay the bill—I insist on covering it since I’m his houseguest—and together, we set off into the Kerkyra night, once more followed by our bodyguards.
I button my wool coat as we walk, the breeze fresh on my skin, blustering my long coat.
Stefanos leads us to the marina, not too far off from the bar.
He checks in, and soon, we navigate the dock.
There are yachts and boats of all shapes and sizes.
Stefanos stops and points to a sleek modern yacht moored alongside others of a similar size, generally more compact yachts. “This one belongs to my parents. Want to check it out?”
I take in the sight of the yacht. The waves lap against the dock and hull, a rhythmic sound. It’s elegant and white and sleek. “It’s very nice. I’ve got to admit I don’t know too much about boats or sailing.”
“That’s okay,” Stef assures me easily. “I do.”
And I don’t doubt him at all, his easy confidence on this topic. Like it’s second nature.
Before long, we’re on board, and I get the grand tour.
“This is a fifty-foot motor yacht, two cabins below. A flybridge. An extendible sundeck. A small galley. It’s got everything you could want, really, like the big yachts on a pocket-sized scale.
And the good news is that since it’s small, you don’t need a crew to sail. It’s an owner-operator setup.”
Stefanos shows me cleverly designed secret storage cupboards that click shut, seating that transforms from a lounge to a dining area. There’s a drinks fridge that’s fully stocked, and he takes out a couple of beer bottles, glancing at me. I nod. He opens the beers and passes one over.
And then he leads the way out to the deck, where we stand at the bow, overlooking the marina. It’s dark and still and feels like we have the marina to ourselves. The lights around us stand out like jewels reflected on the water.
A sigh escapes me. “This is great. Thanks for showing me.”
He grins broadly. “I guess you should go to marinas more often.”
“Yeah, maybe.” I laugh and give Stefanos a sidelong glance.
He looks handsome in this light, but then again, he looks handsome in any light.
Now, Stef’s hair is like black ink, with a certain brightness in his gaze.
I’m riveted. “Thanks for listening to me tonight go on about my ex and my father too.”
“Of course. My pleasure. Anytime.”
We gaze at each other for a long moment in the quiet.
His blue eyes are darker in this light, and his gaze doesn’t waver.
The moment stretches out. He’s so close I could touch him.
And it’s so tempting to reach out and do just that.
To kiss him. But then I lose my nerve, and cough, and instead take a drink from my beer.
Stefanos deserves better than my chaotic energy.
But the warm smile he gives me is something I won’t soon forget.
“If you like, Theo, we can take the yacht out tomorrow. It’s the best way to see Kerkyra—from the water.”
I blink at Stefanos, shivering under my clothes to hear him say my name. “You can do that? I mean, do you have time?”
He laughs. “Of course. People take their yachts and boats out all the time. It’s kind of a thing people do, you know. In fact, I hear it’s all the rage.”
I give a nonchalant shrug, smiling. It’s so easy being here with Stefanos, like it’s second nature. “I mean, it could be for just looking cool in a marina, I don’t know. Glad to know you’re on trend, at least.”
“I thought the Danish Royal Family had a yacht. For, you know, sailing. Not just posturing.”
It’s my turn to laugh. “We do, a historic one. Not like this one. I mean, yes, I’ve been on yachts before, but not on a private tour like this, I’ve got to admit.”
“I’m happy to take you out on the water tomorrow if you like.”
“Well, if you’re sure you don’t mind, I’d totally love it.”
Stefanos brightens then. He twists his beer bottle in his hands. “Perfect. It’s a plan. Let’s get a decent start in the morning, then. The day trip may give you some ideas for your work.”
“Definitely.”
Stefanos on his own is inspiring enough. Stefanos on the sea as a captain is next-level. And I can’t wait for tomorrow to spend more time with him as new ideas about Stefanos swirl around my head.