24. Chapter 24
Chapter twenty-four
Sunshine is streaming through my windows by the time I finally crack my eyes open in the morning. As expected, it took me forever to get to sleep last night but I have nowhere to be right now so it doesn’t matter anyway.
Lazily, I reach for my phone to see several missed messages. From my mom, from Arthur, and - a grin spreads across my face - from Dimitri.
My mom is just checking in, sending me photos from her garden which has started to bloom in a burst of colourful flowers. I guess Vancouver is finally getting some sunshine. I send her a few photos of my own from the last few days before moving on to the next message, from Arthur.
Arthur: Good morning, Calla! I trust you have been well since I last saw you. As mentioned the other day, there are plans for a group dinner. Margaret has made reservations at a charming taverna in Chorio. Fantastic cocktails and delicious food. One of my favourites on the island! We would love to have you join us. We’re meeting tonight around 7:30pm.
Well, crap.
I stare at Arthur’s message, torn. Despite the huge age gap, I actually loved spending time with Arthur and the rest of the group and was looking forward to this dinner. But Dimitri also asked to see me tonight, and I want to be with him too.
I wait to respond to Arthur’s message and click over to see what Dimitri sent me this morning.
Dimitri: Kalimera, Calla. Arthur sent me a message this morning about a group dinner with everyone. We are both invited. It’s not what I had in mind for us tonight, but if it is ok with you, I think we should go?
Perfect, problem solved. “Thank you, Arthur,” I say aloud to my room as I tap out my reply.
Calla: Yes, of course. I’d like that too.
Dimitri: Ok, thank you. I will pick you up when I get back from the boat?
Calla: That would be great.
Dimitri: Do you have plans yet for tomorrow?
Calla: Nope.
Dimitri: You do now.
My heart does a funny flip in my chest as I read his words. He’s making plans for me. For us. I flip over on my back against the pillows, biting on my lip as I figure out what to reply.
Calla: Oooh, very mysterious. Do I get a hint?
Dimitri: Just don’t get sunburnt today.
Calla: Not planning on it!
Dimitri: Good. Have an amazing day, I will see you later.
Calla: You too!
I swap back over to Arthur’s message and tell him I’d love to come. He responds immediately.
Arthur: Excellent. You can walk the Kali Strata again if you wish, but there is also a bus. I will find the schedule and send it to you.
Calla: Thanks Arthur! Dimitri said he would pick me up when he’s done on the boat and bring me.
Arthur: Lovely. I’m so glad you two have hit it off. I will see you this evening.
I stare at Arthur’s words wondering what to make of his ‘hit it off’ comment. Does he know we have been spending time together?
Oh god.
DOES HE KNOW WE KISSED?
Did Vera share that news already? Does everyone know?
Gah.
Throwing my blankets off, I stalk to the shower. I think I’m starting to understand what Angela meant about everyone being in each other’s business on the island.
Several hours later I find myself waiting for Dimitri to pick me up. I took his ‘don’t burn’ message seriously and decided not to go to the beach. Instead, I had a quiet day to myself. At first, I felt guilty about not playing tourist but it was actually really nice to have some down time and just spend the day organizing my things and reading on my balcony.
It also meant I had lots of time to get ready. Not that I had much to choose from or work with since I’m living out of a suitcase. But even though it’s dinner with a large group, after last night’s kiss, tonight sort of feels like a date.
I decide on my leafy green maxi dress and keep my long hair down, letting the heat and wind on the balcony style it into beachy waves rather than worrying about the blow-dryer. Dimitri’s only seen me bare-faced and, to be honest, as much as I love makeup, it’s been freeing to not to rely on it. I’ve spent years wearing makeup as armour. A beautiful mask to help hide the insecurities I struggled with when it comes to my body. At home you wouldn’t catch me dead leaving the house without it but here, on the island, I just don’t feel like I need it. Still, I want to put in a bit of effort so I coat my lashes with a layer of black mascara and swipe my favourite pink-tinted lip balm across my lips.
I hear the hum of Dimitri’s scooter as I reach the main entryway and open the front door as he pulls to a stop in front.
“You look nice,” Dimitri appraises me as he pulls up. I beam as he takes me in, noting the appreciative look in his eye and the smile pulling at his lips. Lips that I thought about all night.
“Thank you!”
I climb up behind him, relishing the feeling of wrapping my arms around his torso. His dark t-shirt is slightly damp and he smells like the sea and charcoal fire, likely from the barbeque that he and Spyros do for lunch. I love it.
“How was your day?” I ask.
“Better now.” He flashes me a flirty wink over his shoulder. “Ready?”
I nod, and wrap my arms more tightly around him as he takes off up the hill to Chorio.
Since Dimitri just got off The Elena, he drops me off at the bar, promising to be back in 15 minutes after a quick shower and change of clothing. And I…well I do my best not to think about him naked in the shower.
The rest of the group has already arrived and is waiting for us at a table at the back with a view over the bay. As Arthur promised, it’s very picturesque. Several trees decorate the garden, each one swathed in fairy lights with small white lanterns hanging from the thicker branches. There are a few potted plants, tall ones with leafy fronds in robust terracotta planters. The tables are wooden as are the chairs, and I’m thrilled to note the colourful cushions on the seats in various hues of red, orange, and yellow.
“Aha! There she is!” I hear Margaret call out.
I weave my way towards her with a smile, bending to hug her shoulders as she presses her red lips softly to my cheek in greeting.
“Hullo dear, so happy to see you! Please sit and have a look at the cocktail menu. I will tell you, the gin and tonic here is divine.”
“That sounds perfect, thank you.” I nod to the waitress who is collecting orders and greet everyone around the table before grabbing an empty seat beside Arthur.
“You’re looking very pretty tonight, Miss Calla,” Arthur tells me as I settle in.
“Thanks, Arthur. You’re looking quite dapper yourself!” And he does, his wispy white hair is combed neatly into place and he’s wearing a blue button down that brings out the colour of his eyes.
“Well, I figured I needed to smarten up a little.” He leans over to whisper to me quietly as the others chat among themselves, “I hear I have some competition to be mindful of if I plan on keeping you as my dinner date.”
My cheeks heat a little as Arthur’s clear blue eyes twinkle knowingly at me.
“Vera, eh?”
“Vera? Your landlady?” Arthur looks at me puzzled, “No, no. He told me.” Arthur nods towards the entrance way where I spot Dimitri. His dark hair, still wet from the shower, looks inky black and he’s traded his boat attire for black jeans and a fitted grey Henley that does incredible things for his arms and shoulders.
I watch as his eyes browse the terrace, brightening as they find me in the crowd. His tall figure cuts across the floor as he makes his way over, garnering the attention of the group. I hear his name called out by several voices in welcome as he walks around the table, taking the time to acknowledge each person individually. A handshake for Jim, a kiss on the cheek for Margaret and Nora, a friendly squeeze on the shoulder for Ed.
I see how much Dimitri is loved by the group and remind myself that he isn’t just some guy they hit it off with on a random boat trip. They have watched him grow up over the years. Have known him for almost his entire life. This group is the epitome of chosen family and Dimitri is very much a part of that. If anyone is the odd one out or the stranger here, it’s me. So, if Dimitri likes me enough to talk about me to these people who love and care for him, then I should be flattered.
As if on cue with my thoughts, Dimitri makes it around the table to me, grabbing a seat beside me.
“You clean up nice,” I tell him with a playful shoulder bump.
He flashes me a smile that makes my heart beat twice as fast.
I breathe out slowly, trying to remain cool and calm when I notice Margaret watching us from across the table. Her eyes meet mine with a knowing look but it’s warm and kind and I feel myself relax.
“So, Calla,” Tom leans across the table, hands clasped in front of him, “you liked Symi, enough to stay a little longer?”
“Told you it was magic!” Dennis calls down the table.
“It certainly is,” I agree.
Nora chimes in to ask how long I’m staying.
“Well, I changed my flight to next Sunday, from Athens. But I only have my apartment here for three more nights. There was no availability after.”
“We’ll find you a spot, dear,” Mary tells me. “If you want to stay, that is. Or did you plan on going somewhere different?”
Well, that was the million-dollar question, wasn’t it?
By the time my stay is up, I’ll have spent a week on Symi with another week to spare. When I had originally changed my flights, I thought a week here would be more than enough - some chill beach time to relax on a quiet island before I went somewhere new to explore. But despite its small size and ageing population, I truly love Symi. I love that I can just hop on a taxi boat to go to a beach. I love the little cocktail bar in the bay and the tavernas with the fresh seafood. I love Arthur and Margaret and the others who have adopted me and included me in their group. And I really, really enjoy spending time with Dimitri. And maybe that’s silly when he lives in Greece and I live in Canada but after that kiss last night… well, if I leave this soon, I think I’ll regret it.
I feel ten pairs of eyes on me, awaiting my answer but it’s the gold-flecked, brown ones I look at when I respond.
“I’d like to stay here.”
Dimitri’s eyes crinkle in delight.
The rest of the dinner is lovely. The restaurant specializes in meze-style dishes so we order a little bit of everything. Of course, it’s still Greece so a little is really a lot and our table ends up being over-laden with food. As the sun goes down the fairy lights switch on and one of the waitresses turns on battery-operated lanterns. The result is stunning and I feel like I’ve been transported to some sort of magical fairy forest rather than tucked into the courtyard of a Greek restaurant.
Discussion flows easily. I share what I’ve been up to and the places I’ve been over the last few days. I even admit to my terrible sunburn. Unsurprisingly, they all know about the healing power of Greek yogurt on burns. I guess over the years, everyone has had the opportunity to try it out for themselves.
As the evening grows late, we wrap up the meal with shots of ouzo and mastika and little slices of sweet orange cake. I manage to sneakily cover Dimitri’s part of the bill before he can get his wallet out. He shakes his head at me when he realizes, but his hand reaches for mine under the table, giving it a light squeeze in thanks.
Mary promises to send me a list of accommodation recommendations tomorrow. “It’s not high season yet so most should still have availability,” she assures me.
Final goodbyes said, I follow Dimitri’s lead to his scooter, accepting the spare helmet he hands me and tilting my chin up so he can make sure it’s secure before we take off into the night. However, instead of turning down the street to my apartment, Dimitri continues on to the waterfront, pulling to a stop beside one of the benches overlooking the bay.
He pulls his helmet off, running his fingers through his thick hair as he flashes me a mischievous half-smile.
“I don’t want to block your doorstep again, so I thought maybe we could sit here for a bit.”
“Smart man,” I tell him, thinking of grumpy Vera and her judgmental looks from last night.
While the hour would be considered late by my Canadian standards, it’s still relatively early for Greeks. There are still tourists and locals alike dining at the tavernas and walking back to their homes or hotels. The bench Dimitri picked is well-lit and close enough to be in sight, but not so close that people can overhear or see us easily. Somewhat private, but still in a very public place. I can’t help but think about how thoughtful and different this is in comparison to the dark, quiet alleyway Niko took me to.
We sit beside each other on the bench, close without quite touching.
“So, are you going to tell me what we are doing tomorrow?”
Dimitri chuckles and shakes his head.
“Can’t I just surprise you?”
A surprise. My heart does that funny little excited flip flop in my chest again. Not only has he made a plan, but he wants it to be a surprise.
“I at least need to know what time to be ready,” I point out. “Oh, and it would be helpful to know what to wear or bring if you plan on kidnapping me for the day.”
“Kidnapping you?”
“Yes,” I tell him, keeping a straight face. “You won’t tell me where we are going, what we are doing, or even what time so I’m just assuming you are kidnapping me.”
“And if I did want to kidnap you for the day? Would that be ok?”
I meant the whole kidnapping thing as a joke but somehow Dimitri, with his low voice and the way he looks at me, makes it seem incredibly sexy. Like one of those cheesy romance books where the mafia man takes his nemesis’ daughter as collateral but they actually end up falling in love.
Except I’m fairly certain that Dimitri isn’t a mafia man and my kind-hearted parents have zero enemies to speak of. At least none who would warrant me being kidnapped. Plus, there’s still the whole ‘we live on separate continents’ thing. Still, a girl can daydream.
“Yes, but I would still like to know what to wear.”
“Sunscreen,” he tells me with a straight face. “Lots of sunscreen.”
I roll my eyes in his direction.
“Ok, ok,” he raises an arm up, letting it rest on the back of the bench behind me. “You should wear a swimsuit. Definitely. Bring a towel and a spare change of dry clothes. Something comfortable. Maybe a light sweater. Flipflops are ok. Sunglasses definitely and yes, sunscreen.”
I narrow my eyes at him; that seems like a pretty big list. “ Are you kidnapping me for the day?”
“You said I could.”
“Yes,” I reply, leaning back on the bench, the heat of his arm resting against the back of my shoulders. “I suppose I did.”
Dimitri and I talk on the bench for over an hour. Only when he catches me stifling a yawn does he decide to call it a night.
“Come on, let’s get you back.”
Part of me wants to protest, but after my terrible sleep last night I know he’s right. I want to make sure I get a good sleep tonight so I can enjoy whatever he has planned for tomorrow.
Since my apartment is only a block away from the bench, we walk. Dimitri’s hand reaches for mine as we leave the bench and I take it, lacing our fingers together. His skin is rough, no doubt from his work on the boat but I find it comforting as he rubs his thumb gently against the back of my hand until we find ourselves at my building.
“I’ll come get you around 10:30 tomorrow morning. I have a couple of things to do first.”
“Ok.”
He bends down, pressing his lips to my forehead in a gentle kiss. It’s so different from the passionate kiss we shared last night, but it still leaves me feeling warm and fuzzy.
“Goodnight, Calla,” he whispers softly. “I’ll see you in the morning.”