strands.
Both Kevin and Martin stood up as she approached, her hand securely tucked into Dimitri’s elbow. He reached down and held a chair for her and she sunk gratefully into it, not sure her legs would hold her for much longer. Looking up, she saw Kevin’s admiring glance as well as Marie’s angry one as the older woman glared across the table at Helen.
That confused Helen. Could Marie actually consider her competition? That thought was so absurd, she pushed it away and started wondering what she’d done to offend the pretty brunette and took pains to smile and talk to her, trying to find out why she was so angry. It took several minutes but eventually, Marie relaxed again, smiling tentatively and sipping her coffee.
Helen looked down and realized that a cup of coffee was being placed in front of her, mostly cream from the looks of it. She turned to smile up at the waiter, only to be stunned when Dimitri looked down into her eyes, winking conspiratorially at her.
She sipped the coffee gratefully and was amazed to find that there was adequate sugar in it.
“Just the way you like it?” he asked, amusement lurking in his eyes. “Cream and sugar with a little coffee,” he said and the rest of the table laughed.
“Yes, it’s perfect,” she smiled, secretly thrilled that he knew exactly how she liked her coffee.
The morning was wonderful. The other five members had obviously known each other for years and had many inside jokes, all of which were explained to Helen so she could join in the laughter as well. When lunch was served, they were still sitting at the breakfast table joking about past antics. By mutual, unspoken agreement, everyone delayed lunch and moved to the pool side, couples taking up books and reclining on the various chaise lounges.
Helen was about to sit under an umbrella in the shade when she felt Dimitri’s arm come around her waist. “Not there,” he said and led her over to a lounge chair large enough for two people. He pulled her down and handed her a large, floppy hat. “There’s more privacy over here and I want to talk to you, find out all your secrets.”
He pulled her down next to him, far enough away so the other couples would not be able to hear them. The others also were separated from the group, apparently all of them wanting a little space for some afternoon romance or quiet time.
“So what makes Helen tick?” he asked, pulling her hand into his, lacing her fingers with his, his thumb tenderly touching the palm of her hand.
Helen gasped and tried to pull away but he wouldn’t allow that. She gasped when his mouth came down on the sensitive inside of her wrist. “If you want to talk to me, you’re going to have to stop doing that. I can’t think.”
His smile was slow and mischievous. “Really?” he chuckled. “I’ll have to remember that.”
He sat and asked her about her school, her parents, her political beliefs and they argued about several points, Helen laughing when he tried to challenge her on several issues. “I can’t argue with you, Dimitri. You’re too well informed.”
“Then you should just accept my opinion and let’s be done with it,” he said logically but he wasn’t serious.
“You would never respect me in the morning,” she quipped, glad that she was able to keep up with his quick intelligence.
“True, but at least our vote won’t cancel each other out.”
“You vote in Greek elections. I vote in British. There’s no chance of them canceling each other out.”
His only response to that was, “Things change.”
They talked about growing up in the different cultures, Helen being an only child while Dimitri was the oldest of five, all the younger ones girls, each of which were married with at least one child.
Helen had trouble swallowing when he talked about his nieces and nephews. He obviously loved all the times he spent with the younger children, talking about each of their births and their personalities, even the smaller one who is barely one year old now.
“They sound lovely,” she eventually said although her throat constricted around the words, barely able to utter them.
“What are your parents like?” he asked.
This was a much safer subject and Helen was able to relax slightly. She thought about her family and how much she missed them. “Well, my father passed away several years ago, but you already know that.” He nodded, having heard all about how