Kilyn.
I wasn’t sure how long we stood there in silence before Sam finally shook my hand and took off. It was another few minutes before I decided it was time to leave.
“I’ll always love you, Savannah. But it’s time I forgive myself and open up my heart to someone else. I think you would love Kilyn. She’s full of life and so strong.” Closing my eyes, I softly said, “I pray to God I didn’t mess things up with her.”
Feeling a tear slip from my eye, I quickly wiped it away.
With a smile, I whispered, “Goodbye, Savannah.”
TWO WEEKS LATER
WALKING INTO ONION Creek, I took a deep inhale through my nose. God, something smelled wonderful. I wasn’t even sure how I could even think of eating after the Thanksgiving dinner two days ago at Kim and Scott’s house. I was still full.
My phone buzzed in my purse, alerting me of a text. Pulling my phone out, my breath caught as I saw his name.
Thano.
Thano: Got the final drawings. Everything looks great.
Pressing my lips together, I stopped walking so I could text him back. Surely he had to have some changes.
Me: No changes? You agree with everything?
I chewed on my thumbnail as I waited for his response. I made the master bedroom a little more girly than I should have seeing this was a guy’s cabin. The shabby chic décor was a bitch move but in the end it actually turned out kind of cute. Cute being the key word.
Thano: Yes.
My mouth fell open. That’s it? That’s all I get is a simple one-word response. Yes.
Feeling the anger build up, I started running my fingers quickly over my phone.
Me: Really? Did you look at them, Athanasios? REALLY look at them.
Standing in a small corner off to the side, I waited as I tapped my foot impatiently.
People started coming in for Claire’s class and passing me. Each one giving me a warm greeting. It was almost as if they knew I was on the edge of losing my shit.
Five minutes went by before he finally responded.
Thano: Yes, Ms. O’Kelly. I REALLY looked at them.
Me: And that’s what you want to go with?
Thano: Yes.
Ugh!
I hit his number and tried to calm my erratic heart down. I knew this was a risk . . . hearing his voice. When I gave him the option of using another designer he said no. All of our communication had been through email or text.
“Hello.”
Oh, dear God in heaven. His voice sent my libido into high alert.
“Th—” My voice cracked and I had to clear it . . . twice.
For Christ’s sake! Get it together!
“Mr. Drivas, I need to be sure you looked at the drawings for every room and sign off on all of them before I okay the work to begin.”
“I did.”
Closing my eyes, I brought up my hand and pinched the bridge of my nose. Stay calm, Kilyn. Calm.
“Your bedroom, Thano. Did you look at your bedroom?”
I heard rustling of papers and then a chuckle. “Yes. I saw the master.”
Letting out a frustrated sigh, I replied, “And?”
“Well, my mother liked it, so I like it.”
My mouth dropped to the ground. “It’s nothing like what you asked for.”
“Then why did you draw it up that way if you thought I wasn’t going to like it?”
Slapping my hand to my forehead, I shouted, “Because I wanted you to say you didn’t like it!”
“Why?”
I went to talk and nothing came out.
Why did I do that? Oh. My. Goodness. What am I, in high school playing games?
“Well . . . I um . . . I wanted to make sure you were really paying attention to the designs and not agreeing for the sake of agreeing.”
Thano cleared his throat. “I would never do that. This is where I hope to live permanently someday, I want it to be the way I want it.”
My heart jumped to my throat. Someday he’d be making love to another woman in the bedroom I designed. Some Greek bitch would be cooking up a storm in my dream kitchen.
Yes. I had to admit it to myself, I designed Thano’s kitchen with my dream kitchen in mind. I got personal with a job. Very personal.
“Well, I hope when it’s done you’ll be happy.”
“I’m sure I will be.”
The silence was almost too much to take.
“Was there anything else you wanted to talk to me about, Ms. O’Kelly?”
My heart felt as if it were physically breaking all over again. “No. Oh, um, yes. Since you approved the plans Claire will be contacting you about when the workers will be there to start work.”
“Claire? Why not you?”
I wiped the tears from my cheeks and faced the corner. The last thing I wanted was for people to see me crying. Trying to sound as normal as possible, I choked out my words.