Playing by the Greek's Rules (Puffin Island 0.50)

‘A night in my bed doesn’t qualify you to ask those questions.’ The look in his eyes made her confidence falter.

‘I get the message. Nothing personal. Now back off. Last night you were charming and fun and flirty. This morning you’re scary and intimidating.’

He inhaled deeply. ‘I apologise,’ he breathed. ‘It was not my intention to come across as scary or intimidating, but you should not have answered the phone.’

‘What’s done is done. And I was glad to be a listening ear for someone in pain.’

‘My father is not in pain.’

‘Yes, he is. He misses you. This rift between you is causing him agony. He wants you to go to his wedding. It’s breaking his heart that you won’t go.’

‘Lily—’

‘You’re going to tell me it’s none of my business and you’re right, it isn’t, but I don’t have a family at all. I don’t even have the broken pieces of a family, and you have no idea how much I wish I did. So you’ll have to forgive me if I have a tendency to try and glue back together everyone else’s chipped fragments. It’s the archaeologist in me.’

‘Lily—’

‘Just because you don’t believe in love, doesn’t mean you have to inflict that view on others and judge them for their decisions. Your father is happy and you’re spoiling it. He loves you and he wants you there. Whatever you are feeling, you should bury it and go and celebrate. You should raise a glass and dance at his wedding. You should show him you love him no matter what, and if this marriage goes wrong then you’ll be there to support him.’ She stopped, breathless, and waited to be frozen by the icy wind of his disapproval but he surprised her yet again by nodding.

‘I agree.’

‘You do?’

‘Yes. I’ve been trying to tell you that but you wouldn’t stop talking.’ He spoke through clenched teeth. ‘I am convinced that I should go to the wedding, which is why I’m here.’

‘What does the wedding have to do with me?’

‘I want you to come with me.’

Lily gaped at him. ‘Me? Why?’

He ran his hand over the back of his neck. ‘I am willing to be present if that is truly what my father wants, but I don’t have enough faith in my acting skills to believe I will be able to convince anyone that I’m pleased to be there. No matter how much he tells me Diandra is “the one”, I cannot see how this match will have a happy ending. You, however, seem to see happy endings where none exist. I’m hoping that by taking you, people will be blinded in the dazzling beam of your sunny optimism and won’t notice the dark thundercloud hovering close by threatening to rain on the proceedings.’

The analogy made her smile. ‘You’re the dark thundercloud in that scenario?’

His eyes gleamed. ‘You need to ask?’

‘You really believe this marriage is doomed? How can you say that when you haven’t even met Diandra?’

‘When it comes to women, my father has poor judgement. He follows his heart and his heart has no sense of direction. Frankly I can’t believe he has chosen to get married again after three failed attempts. I think it’s insane.’

‘I think it’s lovely.’

‘Which is why you’re coming as my guest.’ He reached out and lifted a small blue plate from her shelf, tipping off the earrings that were stored there. ‘This is stylish. Where did you buy it?’

‘I didn’t buy it, I made it. And I haven’t agreed to come with you yet.’

‘You made this?’

‘It’s a hobby of mine. There is a kiln at work and sometimes I use it. The father of one of the curators at the museum is a potter and he’s helped me. It’s interesting comparing old and new techniques.’

He turned it in his hands, examining it closely. ‘You could sell this.’

‘I don’t want to sell it. I use it to store my earrings.’

‘Have you ever considered having an exhibition?’

‘Er—no.’ She gave an astonished laugh. ‘I’ve made about eight pieces I didn’t throw away. They’re all exhibited around the apartment. We use one as a soap dish.’