Chapter 9
nine
JAKOB
I ’ve felt more alive today than I have in years—a decade even. Typically, I only ride the ATV when Dafni wants to. It’s a completely different experience having Nicole’s soft, curvy body wrapped around me. We go through the narrow winding roads, navigating between tourists, down to Perissa, also known as the Black Sand Beach, which is covered in volcanic rock and tiny black pebbles.
“I’ve never seen water so blue,” Nicole yells over the wind and noise. “It’s incredible.”
“You won’t see it like this anywhere else.”
“Thank you again. I can’t believe I’m here.”
I reach down and squeeze her hands as they hold on to me. I don’t tell her, but I can’t believe she’s here either. Growing up, I always missed her and Noah when my parents brought us to Greece for the summer. I always wished they could be here. Then as things changed, I wanted to share this place for entirely different reasons with only one of the siblings.
I park the ATV next to my parents’ car. Nicole removes her helmet and then rushes to the car to help Dafni out. My heart squeezes at the sight of those two holding hands and rushing toward the beach.
Vivian balances her daughter on her hip as she comes to stand next to me while I grab the beach bags from the trunk. “You know you should just go for it, right?”
“What?”
“Nicole. Take a chance. Although it’s not much of a chance, since there’s no doubt she’s the one for you.”
“No idea what you’re talking about.” I know exactly what she’s talking about, but I’d rather not be having this conversation.
Of course, Mamá has to chime in. “I don’t recall my son ever being a liar.”
“That’s a harsh word,” I tell her.
“Maybe you need a harsh reality check,” Vivian grumbles. “You’ve always had a thing for her.”
“Yes, you have,” Mamá agrees.
“We’re not having this conversation,” I deadpan.
Vivian raises her chin and narrows her eyes at me. “He’s worried about her age and Noah. Guarantee it. ”
Mamá sighs. “It’s true. But let him be.”
“Let him be alone and miserable forever.” Vivian gives me a mock smile.
“I have Dafni.”
“She needs a mother. Oh, look, I found one.”
“Really, Vivian?”
We reach Dafni and Nicole under an umbrella. Nicole is already applying sunscreen all over Dafni, who is dancing in place, anxious to get into the water.
“Daddy, next time can we take sweet Nicole to the red beach? It has pretty red sand and giant red cliffs!”
Nicole grins and her excitement is genuine. “There’s a red beach, too?”
“And a white beach. The cliffs are white, but the sand is much like here. Black pebbles,” Vivian explains. “Honestly, you can’t go wrong with any beach here. They’re all unique and an experience unlike anywhere else in the world.”
“And is this where y’all come every year?” Nicole asks.
“We’re not originally from Santorini, but it is one of our favorite islands to vacation on,” Dad tells her. “Our home is in Nafplio, on the mainland of the Peloponnese. We have a house there, which is where we spend most of the summer. Since everyone loved coming to Santorini so much, Jakob purchased the villa for the entire family to use. I still feel wrong about taking the biggest bedroom, since it’s his house. ”
I have far too much respect for my parents to put them in one of the smaller rooms. Besides, I purchased the villa after I received my inheritance—which I didn’t want. It was before Vivian and I had families. It would’ve been silly for me to take the largest room.
“Hopefully,” Mamá says, “you’ll get to come visit Nafplio.”
“Not on this trip,” I tell them before they can make all kinds of plan.
Dad begins telling me in Greek how silly it is to fly all this way for a weekend. It’s too long and hard of a trip for Dafni to make and not have time to rest. As he rants away in Greek, I order a frappe from the staff member from the restaurant who owns the chairs we’re occupying. As I ask everyone if they’d like to order something as well, Dad continues on about how we should stay longer so Dafni can learn the culture of her people.
I completely tune him out when Nicole removes her cover-up. I find myself needing something to cover up with. Sweet Lord. I quickly sit down before I poke someone’s eye out.
Nicole is in a modest two-piece, and I’ve never been harder in my life. It’s extremely uncomfortable since I can’t do anything about it—I’m with my child, my parents, and my sister and her little family.
My father lightly shoves my shoulder and chuckles. I scowl at him and sit there, patiently waiting as everyone lathers sunscreen on. My eyes keep drifting toward Nicole as she rubs the lotion on until it no longer shows. What I wouldn’t give for it to be my hands doing that job. I follow the path of her hand, eating up the way her swimsuit molds around her curves. I’m finally getting to see so much of her perfect skin, yet this isn’t exactly the way I’d preferred it to happen.
The server returns with my frappe and I pay, thankful for the distraction. One by one, everyone makes their way into the water. Vivian has her daughter in a little floaty, along with a life vest, hat, and water shoes. Dafni calls out for me and I wave.
The black grain sand squishes between my toes as I raise up. The air is hot, but it’s not humid. It’s good to be back in Greece. I would like to stay longer, but I didn’t make the proper preparations to do so. Maybe I could plan another trip farther out. I wonder if I could persuade Nicole to join us again. Based on her enthusiasm, it wouldn’t take much to convince her. She has her new career waiting for her, though. And who knows what else the future has in store for her. She’s so young and beautiful, with no commitments. Why would she want to travel with an older single dad? For now, she’s here with me this weekend, and I’m not going to stress over the what-ifs of the future.
Swiftly, I make my way to the shoreline, where my toes are greeted by the clear salty water. It’s cold and exactly what I need if I’m going to be out here with Nicole in a two-piece. I dive in and welcome the relief the chilly water brings. When I come up to the surface, water is splashed in my face, followed by the sweetest giggles. I wipe my eyes and see Nicole and Dafni looking guilty.
“Uh-oh. You two are in for it now.”
We spend hours swimming, sharing drinks, chatting, and sunning. Vivian and my mother announce they need to leave to go make the final preparations for tomorrow’s baptism. It strikes me that normally, I’m the first one ready to get out and pack up, but we’ve been having fun. I’ve been having fun. It’s not that this is the first time I’ve enjoyed myself. I love my family and Dafni is my world, but today was different. I look over at Nicole, who’s lovingly tending to Dafni. It wouldn’t be hard to imagine our lives like this all the time.
When we arrive back to the house, Mamá offers to give Dafni a bath in their bathroom so the one main bathroom will be open. Vivian quickly runs to it first and locks the door. Nicole and I stand awkwardly in the room together. There’s no Dafni to tend to. The bathroom is occupied. What do we do while we wait?
Finding a sexual partner has always been extremely easy for me. Finding someone whose company I enjoy? That’s always been more of a challenge. I only have one best friend, and as fate would have it, his little sister is someone I very much enjoy spending time with and want to have sex with. But the consequences could be disastrous.
Desire chokes my voice as I say, “Nicole. Come here.”
“Jakob.” She swallows so hard it’s audible. “Don’t tease me. You’re looking at me like you’re ready to devour me, and if you’re not?—”
I don’t allow her to finish her words. Hearing her beg me not to tease her is enough of an invitation for me. I thread my fingers through her wet hair. Her lips taste of sweetness and salt from the sea. My hands are shaking with excitement and nervousness because this is finally happening. No more denying ourselves. Without a doubt, I’ve lost control and given it all to Nicole. What happens next is completely up to her.