“They’re giving us time.” He led me into the front sitting room. “Can I get you anything?”
“No, thank you.” I sat on the sofa and folded my hands in my lap, not remembering the last time I felt this nervous. Mylos sat in a chair across from me.
“How are you?” we both asked at the same time and then laughed.
“Go ahead.”
“No, you first, Pia.”
“I’m fine. I graduated.”
He leaned forward and rested his elbows on his knees. “I’m really proud of you.”
“Thank you. There were a lot of stops and starts—” I cut my sentence short when it dawned on me he might think I meant because of him. “My father had an accident.”
“I heard he passed away. I’m so sorry, Pia.”
“Thank you. It was for the best; he was in a lot of pain—” I did it again. I was trying too hard, and because of it, I was stumbling over my words. “I miss him very much.”
“How long are you in town?”
“Just a few days. You know, for the party tonight.”
He sighed. “Right. The party.”
“You’d rather not attend?”
He took a deep breath and blew it out. “I’d love to attend the celebration of my sister and her husband.”
“Everyone there would welcome you back anyway. Celebrate your return.”
“I’m not great at being the center of attention. At least not anymore.” He shook his head. “I’m not sure I ever was.”
I couldn’t take my eyes off of him. He looked so good compared to the last time I saw him. His hair, longer than I’d ever seen it, fell onto his forehead. His beard was longer too, covering the lower half of his face. His eyes, though, their warmth were my undoing. It was such a relief to see after how cold they’d been when I saw him in Germany. My chest ached just from looking at him. My fingers longed to feel him. My body craved his touch.
“Pia…the way you’re looking at me…”
My gaze drifted to the floor, and my cheeks heated in shame. “Forgive me,” I whispered.
“I thought I heard voices down here,” said Margaret, rushing into the room. I stood and we embraced. “I’m so happy to see you, Pia.”
“Me too,” I murmured.
Mylos’ father, John, hugged me too and then stepped back so Lily and I could embrace.
“Thank you so much for being here,” she whispered. “It means everything.”
“I wouldn’t have missed it.”
“Are you sure I can’t talk you into staying with Wills and me? Angus sleeps through the night now.”
“I appreciate it so much, but I brought work with me that I really must take care of early tomorrow morning.”
“Sounds like an excuse to me, but I’ll stop pestering you. I’m off now to go home and get ready, can I drop you at your hotel?”
“Pia, you don’t need to rush off so fast, do you?” asked Margaret.
“Mum, she’ll see you all tonight, and then she’ll be here for a few days.” Lily looked at me. “Right?”