destiny had something else in mind for me, and I’m in the battle of my life to regain what I lost.”
She struggled to understand. “Tell me exactly what it is you think you lost. Your parents are thrilled you’ve come home and your father wants you working with him again.”
His chest rose and fell visibly. “Because you’re going to be at my side.”
“You honestly believe it took me to make this happen today? If that’s true, then I feel sorry for you.”
Lines marred his striking features. “How else to explain why they want to tell the whole family Friday night?”
“How about accepting the fact that you’re their son and they love you? Do you need more than that? For so long you’ve been telling yourself that you’re an unworthy son, you couldn’t see what was in their eyes today. Why don’t you just sit down with your father and tell him all the feelings in your heart?”
“My friend Cesare has asked me the same question.”
“Then listen to him! Your fear has brought you to a standstill. For a man as outstanding and remarkable as you are, I find it inconceivable you’re in such terrible pain. A simple conversation with your father could change the way you look at life.” She lowered her head. “In a way, you remind me of Nassos.”
Takis’s head reared back. “What do you mean?”
“Remember the letter he wrote to me? Just think what might have happened if he’d gone to Danae and had admitted he’d been wrong to divorce her and wanted her back. But his fear that he might not be forgiven wouldn’t let him do that and he died unexpectedly, never knowing how much she loved him and wanted to get back with him.”
His brows furrowed. “How does that have anything to do with me?”
“It has everything to do with you. You’re afraid to talk to your father for fear you’ll hear him say he can never forgive you for leaving Crete. But the point is, he might say something else quite different to you.
“Just think, Takis. After my talk with Danae, I realized she would have told Nassos she wanted him back, but he never gave her a chance. It’s so sad that it’s too late for them. Please don’t let it be too late for you and your father.”
She kissed his firm jaw. “Now I’m going to leave and get back to the hotel. I’ve let work go too long. When you’re ready to start applying the primer, I’ll come and help.”
As she started out the door he said, “You still haven’t told me if you’ve been to bed with a man.”
She paused and turned to him. “Shall we make a deal? When you decide to have that talk with your father, then I’ll tell you all the secret details of my intimate life with men.”
“Was it true what you said about your boyfriends not being from Crete?”
“Yes.”
“How many were there?”
“I only had three serious ones. All of them were born in other parts of Greece, the sons of wealthy parents who came to Crete for vacations and stayed at the hotel. I knew Nassos and Danae weren’t impressed with any of them.”
Her words brought a smile of satisfaction to his arresting features.
“By the way, I love your parents.”
* * *
The next morning Takis made arrangements for a Skype conference call with his partners. He’d set up his computer in the kitchen while the guys sat at the computer in Cesare’s office at the castello.
“You’re looking good, amico.” This from Cesare.
“It’s great seeing you guys again.”
“Before we hear your news, we have some of our own,” Vincenzo exclaimed.
“Good or bad?”
“Definitely good. My cousin Dimi is going to marry Filippa in June at her church in Florence. They made the decision last evening, but want to keep it low-key with only family and close friends. You’re invited, of course, if you can make it. We’ll text you the time and address of the church.”
Takis’s mind leaped ahead. He would take Lys with him so his friends could meet her. Cesare had seen her, but it wasn’t the same thing as talking to her. “I’m very happy for him. Dimi deserves it.”
“Being that Filippa is Gemma’s best friend, my wife is beyond thrilled. But now we want to know what’s going on with you.”
“Quite a lot actually. The sale of my hotels in New York has gone through. Furthermore I’ve bought myself a house two blocks from my parents’ hotel in Tylissos and now have internet.”
“You sound good.”
“I am. Two days ago Lys Theron and I got officially engaged. Our announcement went in the newspaper today. I’m emailing you a copy of it as we speak.”
After total silence, Cesare let out an ear-piercing whistle. “You’re actually getting married?”
“We decided it was the best way to keep news about Nassos’s will a secret. By implying that Lys and I are in a romantic relationship ending in marriage, no one will know or suspect I’m co-owner of the Rodino Hotel. She has informed the staff that she’s the new owner.”
Vincenzo leaned forward. “So what will you do? Get divorced after the six months’ stipulation concerning hotel ownership has passed?”
“There’ll be no divorce.”
“Is she on board with all this?”
Takis had been waiting for Vincenzo’s astute question, which meant his friend had been thinking hard about the things Takis hadn’t explained. “I intend our marriage to last forever.”
Cesare cocked his head. “The Takis I know wouldn’t publicly announce his engagement to be married unless he wanted it more than anything else in this world.”
“In the beginning I suggested the engagement in order to protect the relationship with my father. But I’ve fallen in love and yes, a life with her is what I want more than anything else in this world.”
After a silence, “I take it you didn’t have that conversation with him after all.”
First Cesare, then Lys, now Cesare again. “I’m handling all I can for the moment. Any problems I need to know about business on your end?”
“Sofia, your assistant, might be getting married soon and will have to move back to Geneva,” Vincenzo interjected. “That means we’ll be needing to find a new person to replace her. Got anyone in mind?”
“Let me talk to her first. In the meantime I’ll send Dimi a text to congratulate him.”
“He’ll like that.”
“I know you guys are busy so I’ll let you go.”
“What’s the hurry?”
“I’m waiting for a man to come and help me install a railing for the upstairs terrace on my house. You can’t believe what a disaster this place is.”
“Then we won’t keep you. Ciao, Takis.”
“Ciao, guys. It’s always good to talk to you.”
He ended the session and got back to work, purposely keeping their conference short. He knew they were worried about him and the rushed engagement. But he didn’t want to let them delve into his psyche too deeply until Lys admitted that she was crazy in love with him too.
Once the wrought iron railing had been installed, he swept the stone tiles. Before long a truck from the local furniture store delivered a full-size swing with a canopy he’d ordered online.
The workers carried it upstairs