he enjoyed spending time there.
‘It’s not everyone’s obvious choice for a holiday, yet it’s similar to Greece in many ways. Tourism is still something that’s growing there, which meant there was lots of secluded beaches, which I loved.’
He tells me stayed in a place called Sarandë full of Roman ruins, friendly people and good food. He talks of the interesting people he met there. ‘It’s one of my favourite parts of travelling, meeting interesting people. But I’ve not met anyone who has made as much impression as you have.’ He holds my gaze and I get a warm fuzzy feeling in my body. He’s just so sexy, with that dark hair and those gorgeous hazel eyes that really look at you when you’re talking, making you feel like you’re the only person in the room. It’s all I can do to focus on the menu.
We dine on Greek salads and fresh-from-the-sea calamari for Dara and red snapper for me, served with fragrant rice and green beans tossed in lemon. We sip the wine, chatting easily and enjoy the most wonderful evening together. I tell Dara all about the Airbnb I’m staying at and how sleeping in the van has lost its appeal a little of late.
‘I enjoy the great outdoors in the tent, especially in the good weather but I must admit I like hotels too. I’m a little bit partial to a good breakfast buffet in the morning.’
I have a sudden, glorious vision of sharing breakfast with Dara.
I finish my meal with some hazelnut ice cream while Dara opts for a Metaxa brandy.
There’s a full moon this evening and it’s just after eleven o’clock as we stroll along the harbour, the reflection of the moon creating silver ripples on the water. I can’t believe how quickly the evening has passed, amazed that we’ve chatted for over three hours. For the first time today, I find I haven’t thought about anybody but myself. It would be a shame to not fully immerse myself in the beauty of these surroundings, clouding my enjoyment with worry, thinking about other people and I reckon it’s good to be a little selfish sometimes.
‘So, what’s next for you then?’ We’ve stopped at the end of the harbour near a path that heads out of town, as the sounds of people in bars and restaurants become fainter. There are two abandoned, rusting fishing boats covered in netting on a tiny stretch of beach. There’s a wooden bench nearby and we both sit down.
‘I’m just enjoying being here,’ I tell him. ‘It will be back to reality in less than a week. How about you? What are your plans? Are you still heading to Canada?’ I ask, not sure if I want to hear the answer.
‘Well, right at this moment in time, I was thinking of doing this.’
He leans across and kisses me on the lips and I wrap my arms around him, inhaling his scent and wanting this moment to go on forever. He breathes deeply as he kisses me long and hard and I feel slightly light-headed.
‘I’ve missed you,’ Dara breathes when we finally come up for air.
‘I’ve thought a lot about you, too. To be honest I wasn’t sure I’d see you again, given your lust for travel.’
I’m leaning my head on his shoulder and he strokes my arm up and down with his strong hands, giving me shivers. When we get to our feet, Dara takes my hand and we begin walking back towards the hubbub of the harbour. As we walk, he keeps turning to look at me with a smile on his face and I think I could burst with happiness. Live for the moment, I tell myself. Even if it’s nothing more than a holiday romance, live for the moment, Anna, and enjoy yourself. Just like Demi said you should.
‘I’ll walk you home,’ he says.
‘You never gave me the chance to say your place or mine?’ I tease.
‘Would you like to go back to my hotel? We could have a nightcap at the bar?’ he offers.
‘Not really, I’d like to go back to my rented house. I have a great view from my balcony. We could have a drink there, if you’d like to join me?’
‘Lead the way,’ he says, before pulling me towards him and kissing me again.
Twenty-Seven
Back at the house, we take a brandy each onto the balcony and look across the flat-roofed houses to the distant twinkle of lights threaded across the harbour. Dara puts on some