Chapter 31
I sensed his presence before I saw him. In slow motion, from where I stood I watched him walk across the front of the restaurant and I shrank behind the cover of a large tree trunk so I could gather my thoughts.
In my mind, my vision of our reconciliation was similar to what I would have expected in one of my romance novels.
I would be knocking on a big oak front door, and after a few moments I would hear footsteps on a tiled floor.
He would answer it, surprised to see me, but would then sweep me up into his arms, covering me in kisses, tears of amazement rolling down our cheeks.
He would declare his undying love for me and we’d live happily ever after.
Watching him from across the square, though, made my heart skip a beat.
He looked the same but different. More relaxed.
More at peace. He was clearly in his natural habitat and the sun-kissed look suited him.
He looked swarthy and sophisticated in beige chino trousers, a white linen shirt, and a pair of tan leather loafers.
He looked casual yet smart, but more than that absolutely gorgeous and swoon worthy.
I’d told myself that I was OK and that life sometimes had different plans to what we first thought, but until that moment I hadn’t realised just how much I’d missed him.
His mop of wavy brown hair fell softly around his face, longer than it used to be, and it really suited him.
I sighed inwardly, my heart filling again with the most intense love I had ever felt.
I moved out from behind the tree and took a step towards him.
His name was on the tip of my tongue, but at the exact same time, a stunningly beautiful woman walked past me blocking my view.
She was holding hands with an olive-skinned little girl with dark, curly hair, who couldn’t have been more than six or seven.
They both smiled at me and a moment of sadness rushed through me at the thought I’d never have a child of my own.
The next scene unfolded in slow motion as the child ran across the square shouting ‘Papa’.
To my horror, she ran up to Demetri and leapt into his arms. He beamed and twirled her around and she squealed with delight as he began to tickle her.
She flung her arms around his shoulders and nestled her head into his neck.
That was when his eyes met mine across the square and my blood ran cold.