Chapter 22
LILA
Graham wasn’t kidding about the restaurant blowing my mind.
Twinkly lights lit the way to our table which was beside a cliff where the waves crashed below us, a single rope separating us from the sheer drop.
“It’s incredible,” I whispered, fascinated with our proximity to the wild waves. I’d never seen anything like this in my life, and I couldn’t believe how beautiful it was. “Scary, but beautiful.”
“It really is.”
Graham leaned back in his chair, studying me instead of the waves. It may have been the wine, but his accent was getting sexier by the minute.
“More wine?” A server appeared beside us, and I shook my head.
“Not for me, thank you.” I looked at Graham. “Too much sun I think.”
“You are glowing,” he teased, accepting a top up. He was drinking red wine, which I found incredibly classy in a man. He wore a crisp white shirt, with a gold cross on a chain around his neck. Every woman in here was looking at him, and I felt almost delirious with his attention.
Maybe coming here was a bad call; the wine was already going to my head, and I’d only had two glasses. I should switch to water.
Graham recommended the Souvlaki which was marinated pieces of meat that fell apart on your tongue. It was served with fries and salad, and I devoured it all without conversation. The tzatziki was outstanding and quite possibly my new addiction.
Poor Graham. I’d barely looked up throughout the meal, let alone spoke.
He didn’t seem to mind though; he just smiled and watched me, sipping his wine.
“Do you want to talk about it?” he asked eventually, once the wine had loosened my tongue. I was chatting utter shit about work and my decision to come to Greece on a whim.
I swallowed the last of my wine and winced.
Did I? I could; this wasn’t a date, was it?
But maybe I’d need another glass of wine, despite switching to water.
In fact, I definitely would.
“Maybe another glass of wine to go with it?” I suggested, watching as Graham waved a waiter down and ordered me another glass of wine, but also a large bottle of sparkling water.
“Are you worried about getting me drunk, sir?” I teased, realising I probably already was. Or at least tipsy.
“No,” he replied with a chuckle. His eyes met mine. “But you are glowing, and you did stay out in the sun a little too long today. I’m simply keeping you hydrated.”
What could I say to that?
“Well, Graham,” I said, watching my cold glass of wine, with ice, making its way to me alongside a tall bottle of mineral water. “I have been happily married for twenty years, until some woman sent me a video of my husband and her.”
Graham stared at me. “Sorry? A video?”
The waiter placed the drinks on the table, and I grabbed the wine glass,which was most unladylike of me.
I took a deep glug of wine, trying to force the image from my head. It was pointless—it was permanently engrained in my mind.
“Of them in the bedroom.”
Our eyes met, and his widened. He leaned forward, his voice lowered. “Oh, sweetheart. I’m sorry.”
Pain sliced through me at the pity in his tone.
“You didn’t deserve that.”
“How do you know?” I laughed hollowly. “You don’t even know me.”
Graham shrugged. “It’s easy. No one deserves that.”
Ouch. That hit hard, like it was universal knowledge that you didn’t cheat on your wife.
“Well, it happened. At least, I know now.” I stared back at the waves, suddenly wishing I was swimming in them, letting them drown these horrific memories away. They didn’t belong here, not in this beautiful restaurant.
“I was married once,” Graham confessed, following my gaze out to sea.
I turned away from the waves to see Graham’s jaw clenched, his eyes cloudy.
“What happened?”
“She left me.”
I blinked. Well, he was honest at least. Then horror hit me.
Did he cheat on her? Was I sitting here with another cheater?
My god, I must attract them.
Graham smiled faintly. “For my best friend. I didn’t cheat on her, if that’s what you’re thinking.”
Oh, shit. He totally read my mind there.
“Sorry.” I cringed, spinning my wine glass around between my fingers. “That sucks.”
“Yes,” he hummed, “They claimed they fell in love, and nothing happened until she left me.” He made a face that told me he didn’t believe that for a second.
“Of course,” I said, and he laughed.
“It was easier to believe it than to challenge it.” Graham locked eyes with me. “I’m in my fifties now; I’ve learned a lot about love since then.”
I leaned forward. “I don’t suppose you could share the knowledge?”
He nodded. “You don’t ever stop loving the version of them that you loved. The version of them that was faithful and honest.”
Another truth I really didn’t want to hear. “Yeah, I can imagine.”
“Are you still in love with him, Lila?” Graham’s voice was like silk over jagged rocks in a storm.
Tears pricked my eyes, and I stared down at my lap.
I would always be in love with Victor Rossi, but I could never get over what he did to me.
“Honestly? The wine wants me to say yes, but I want to lie.”
“So, lie.”
It seemed so simple sitting here. Just lie.
So, I did.
“Then I’m completely over him and nothing hurts anymore.”
If only. I’d do anything to mean that.
“It’s as easy as that, Lila. It’s your life. Take back control.” Graham finished his wine and then ordered another.
“I think we’re going to need more wine.”
I couldn’t help but agree.
It was after midnight when he walked me back to my room. I wasn’t too drunk—Graham made sure I drank plenty of water, and he was the perfect gentleman.
“This is the bit where you expect me to invite you in, isn’t it?” I giggled which meant I was definitely drunk. I had my key in my hand, but I couldn’t get it into the damn lock.
What was I going to do? I could invite him in, but…
My stupid broken fucking heart still missed my husband. I hated it, but it was what it was. Plus, I really didn’t feel like having sex at all—not with my bloated stomach and night sweats that came no matter how much air conditioning I had on.
Urgh.
“No, Lila, this is the part where you go inside and drink lots of water, and then call me in the morning.” He opened my door for me and waved me in. “Goodnight. Thank you for tonight.”
I was stunned. He was leaving it like this? He’d paid for everything and had been so lovely the entire night.
“Thank you for tonight, and for being like this,” I whispered, leaning on my tiptoes to reach his cheek. I gave him a brief kiss, and he did a mock bow.
“I told you. Us Brits are gentlemen. We’re not all wankers.”
I smiled so wide my cheeks ached.
“Goodnight, Lila.” He held my gaze so intensely I thought he was going to stride forward and kiss me, but he didn’t. He walked down the steps that led back to the road, and I closed the door behind him, leaning happily against it.
And then the nausea hit.