Page 19 of Unexpectedly In Love

“Well work on your cock o xádelfós mou (my cousin). If you were good, she would have stayed.” Khaos chuckles, tucking away his gun.

“It was a one-night stand after all Eryx. Etsi einai i zoi (such is life).”

Part of me wants to send Cid to find her. Did she see anything? Is that why she ran?

As if he was reading my mind he exhales. “It’s best to let it go. The odds are not in your favor. Let us hurry. It’s safer that she is gone.”

I nod, watching as he leaves the room. I can still smell her on my fingertips, taste her ecstasy in the back of my throat.

What was hoping to do if she was here? Take her with me? With the level of turmoil that my family is in… taking her with me would be selfish…and dangerous.

“The cleaners are here. Come on, Eryx, let’s go,” Khaos shouts. Watching around the room I pick up my keys and money clip, everything else can stay here. I stop to gaze at the bed; I would search for her if only I had the time.

“Ena ginei, tha ginei,” I whisper as I head out with Khaos.If it is to happen, it will happen.

Present Day

ANISE

Seeing your sister happy and in love is one of the most beautiful things you can ever witness. As we all count down for gender reveal, Sage’s smile brightens as pink mica and pink glitter explodes all around the happy couple. I was about to have another beautiful niece. Sage and Zac are glowing and growing.

Children will do that to you. It did it to me. Having Kai changed the projection of my life, and I am so grateful. The gender reveal was organized by my sisters and myself. I look around as I can proudly say, we pulled it off.

The white, lemon and gold décor was quintessential Sage. Clean, elegant, classy. The long tables were covered with steam white linens covered in ivory vintage crochet runners. I chuckle as I remember Cassia on the phone cussing the man out over the runners being ivory. The end result was perfect. We got two feet tall glass cylinder vases, to place sliced lemons in. After the first lemon squirted in Rosemary’s eye we all agreed that hiring a planner was best.

Evangline Hopler was one of the best planners in Charleswood. Thankfully, she was also a friend of Zac. She gave us a quote and the three of us happily agreed. I felt like Evangline waved a magic wand, and the backyard went from a sad DIY project to a Home and Living issue cover.

The tall vases now have beautifully sliced lemons, with eucalyptus and white rose at the top. There is a beautiful green garland of dark green leaves and white roses running across the table. If you closely observe, you will see bright yellow lemons hiding in between the leaves.

Zac’s pastry chef made us a gorgeous three-tiered cake, topped with eucalyptus leaves and white roses with topper. “Oh, baby.”

Finn pulls at the balloon garland, since Rosemary and Cassia were enamored with my son.

I clear my throat, fold my arms and tap my foot. Finn acts like he didn’t hear me clear my throat.

“Finn!”

He gazes up at me like I was bothering him. “Yes, Auntie Ani.”

“Boy, leave those balloons alone.” I reach for him, and he pulls away.

“Auntie Ani, I can’t.” His little voice is firm but strong.

“Excuse me?”

Finn never answers back, so if he does there must be a good reason.

He rubs his hands down his jeans. God he is growing so fast, he’s starting to resemble Rosemary more and more. With his rich dark complexion, those deep dimples and baby doe eyes… My nephew is handsome.

“I’m trying to get one for Poppy, she looked so sad, when we all found out it’s a girl,” Finn gazes back at the balloons.

“Go play with Kayla and Nikil.” I reach across the table and grab one of the ice frosting butter cookies.

“Put this in your pocket. Give Poppy that when you see her.”

The smile that spread across Finn’s face made me feel like I was the best auntie in the world.

A black car comes to a stop, but then it drives around the cul-de-sac again. Maybe it was one of Zac’s friends searching for a parking spot.

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