Chapter 26
LILA
It was my last day in Greece, and the nausea had been relentless. I’d be happy to be home—well, my mother’s house— because I was starting to crave things I couldn’t get here. Stupid things like beef jerky and American hot dogs smothered in ketchup and mustard.
I wanted to be with someone right now, and who better than my mom? I didn’t want to go back to our house just yet, and hopefully it would sell, and then I could concentrate on moving to somewhere new.
I’d barely seen Graham since he’d found out I was pregnant, and that said plenty about him. I’d booked a private taxi to the airport, and I had an hour or so before it came to collect me.
I watched a young couple come into the hotel lobby, their sun-kissed skin and eyes full of love making me miss Victor suddenly.
But no. I didn’t need him anymore, and I shouldn’t want him either. But it was hard after twenty years of marriage to just shut it off.
I tried to focus on my thriller novel, but I couldn’t concentrate on the words. I was achy and tired, and at least I knew why now.
I was having a baby.
I still couldn’t believe it, and I couldn’t wait to tell Vanessa she was going to be an auntie. She’d be ecstatic! As for his mom, she’d be over the moon. She always wanted us to have kids.
Except… I really wish I could’ve shared this moment with my husband.
My eyes glistened as a shadow fell over me, and I saw Graham standing there. He was in shorts and a t-shirt, with aviator sunglasses hiding his eyes. He nodded at my packed suitcase and neat hand luggage, a grim smile on his face.
“You’re off home then?”
“Yes.” I looked up at him, wondering why he’d kept his distance.
“I’m sorry I’ve not been around,” he said, leaning on the arm of the sofa opposite. “I just thought you’d need some space, you know?”
I did. But still.
“Thank you.”
“I know you probably don’t want to keep in touch, but if you do…” He gazed at me. “You’ve got my card, right?”
“Yes. I’m sure you’re too busy for new friends with baggage.” My words were harsh, but I tried to smile to lighten their load. It didn’t work.
“Come on, Lila. You know you weren’t just a friend to me.”
I blinked. “I wasn’t?”
He gave a short laugh. “Well, you were, but only because that’s what you wanted.”
Oh. My cheeks flamed. So, he’d not been around because I was pregnant.
Honestly, fuck my life.
“I’m sorry. The universe likes to play games with me,” I said, avoiding his eyes.
“Maybe we could keep in touch?” He looked at me, hope swirling in his eyes. Why wasn’t I jumping at the chance of this? A gorgeous British man who could wine and dine me and treat me better than Victor ever did.
Maybe because deep down, I still loved my husband.
Urgh. The thought sickened me.
“I’ll try,” I replied, as he leaned down to kiss my forehead. His cologne flooded my senses, and I tipped my head back, capturing his lips with mine briefly. His hand cupped my jaw, and he kissed me hard on the mouth.
“Dear god, let us meet again,” he murmured against me, and I laughed, moving back.
Okay, so there were some butterflies there, but I was pregnant. I didn’t have time for this.
“It was a pleasure meeting you,” I stated sweetly as he laughed, shaking his head.
“It really was. All mine, I can assure you. Now, have a safe flight, and you can text or email me anytime.”
I smiled. “Thank you.”
He stood and looked at me before walking away, but he turned back one last time, and our eyes locked.
No, he wasn’t my husband. But the attention was kind of nice.
The flight home was long and exhausting. Mom met me from the airport, gushing about how I was glowing and how beautiful I looked.
I definitely didn’t feel beautiful.
“I threw up on the plane. Twice.”
Mom wrinkled her nose. “Oh, honey. Maybe the doctor can give you something for that?”
She took my suitcase, and I followed her out of the airport, my stomach rumbling.
Mom smiled. “I made you your favourite: macaroni and cheese. I thought you’d be hungry.”
I groaned with happiness. Mom’s macaroni and cheese was legendary, and after vomiting twice on an already-empty stomach, I was ready to stuff my face.
The journey to her house didn’t take long, and my heart skipped when I saw my childhood home. It still looked the same after all these years—but how could it when everything else had changed so much?
The pretty flowers bordered the front yard, and mom gave me a running commentary on her gardening skills as we headed into the house.
“Patricia has the most beautiful flowers. Honestly, I’m struggling to keep these alive.” She waved a hand at the indoor plants in the kitchen window, and I couldn’t help but laugh. Patricia was her best friend and neighbour.
Mom had never kept a plant alive. It was amusing because somehow, she’d kept me alive, and it was our running joke. The smell of macaroni and cheese hit me, and I made a beeline for the oven, finding the glass dish on the top waiting for me to help myself.
“Mom, you’re an angel,” I muttered, filling a bowl with an extra-large portion. I barely spoke while I inhaled it, eating until my stomach hurt. Then my eyes became heavy, and I had to go to bed.
“Welcome to pregnancy,” Mom said with a laugh. “I’m running a few errands tomorrow. So, you’ll have the house to yourself for a while. I offered to pick up your mail, but Vanessa said Victor already did that.”
I looked at her. “He did?”
“Yeah, he gave yours to Vanessa, so just give her a call. Have you told her your news yet?” Mom grinned.
I shook my head, no. I was too tired to think about Victor going to our house to pick up our mail. I wasn’t expecting anything exciting anyway.
Shit. Victor.
I had to tell him I was pregnant, but I really didn’t want to.
I needed sleep first.