Page 33 of Not My Greek Wedding

Some of the too-cool-for-school types have drifted off to booths; others including Christos are watching the dancers from a balcony that surrounds the dance floor. Am I imagining it or can I feel his eyes on me?

An hour or so later, after a few more boogies, and a refreshing soft drink, Lulu and I decide to make a move. We have thoroughly enjoyed our evening here, but have planned a day out shopping in Fira tomorrow.

Even though Christos was watching from a balcony, I haven’t spoken to him since earlier in the evening, when he generously paid for a second cocktail. In fact, I feel a little foolish for thinking that I might have been someone he was interested in.

We scan the room before we leave, hoping to say goodbye, but he is nowhere to be seen.

‘Never mind, let’s just slip out,’ I suggest. ‘He is obviously busy somewhere.’

Just then, I spot him in a dark corner of the huge bar, sitting on a bar stool and leaning in close as he chats to a beautiful blonde.

‘He’s over there,’ says Lulu, pointing him out, and I kind of wish she hadn’t so we could have just left unnoticed.

‘And very busy by the looks of things. Maybe we should just leave him to it,’ I say, striding towards the exit.

‘It might be a bit rude if we don’t say goodnight though,’ she says. ‘He did invite us here,’ she reminds me, and I reluctantly agree.

‘Maybe I just don’t want to acknowledge the fact that actually this invitation was nothing special,’ I say to Lulu. ‘Perhaps he offers a free cocktail to everyone in an attempt to boost the numbers of clubgoers. It’s probably nothing more than a bit of PR.’

‘I’m not convinced. I have seen the way he looks at you, I think he really likes you,’ she insists.

As we make our way towards him, our eyes meet, and Christos jumps to his feet.

‘Mia, Lulu, are you leaving already?’ He frowns.

‘Yes, we have a busy day tomorrow, we were just coming over to say goodnight. Thanks for the drinks.’ I smile.

‘It was my pleasure. And actually, I realise I do not have your number.’ He locks eyes with me.

‘Oh right, and why would you want that?’

I nod towards the woman on the bar stool.

‘She is a regular visitor here, I talk to everyone as you can imagine, as the manager of the club,’ he tells me. ‘I have to keep the customers happy, she is no one special.’ He smiles that winning smile, and I tell myself that this guy is trouble. Even so, I find myself putting my number into his phone.

We stop for a couple of selfies on the way home, and Lulu takes one of me alone standing against an olive tree covered with twinkling fairy lights.

‘So, what time do you fancy leaving tomorrow?’ I ask Lulu as we sit chatting to each other in our adjacent beds.

‘Not too early,’ she jokes. ‘I’m really relishing having a lie-in, and not having to set an alarm clock for work.’

Once more I am reminded that back home I currently have no such routine, which is something I would rather not think about, at least while I am here in Santorini.

‘In that case, let’s just head out when we are ready,’ I say as I apply my nightly moisturiser.

‘Okay. I’m really looking forward to exploring Fira in the daylight, and doing a little shopping. Some of those boutiques and gift shops look really cute.’

‘I agree. I already have my eye on a couple of things I spotted tonight in a window.’

I wonder whether we might bump into Christos while there, but decide that is a selfish thought, as it’s my day with Lulu.

‘Maybe we could take the bus, rather than the car in case we want to have a drink,’ she suggests. ‘The buses are every hour, so maybe we could take a late morning one.’

‘Sounds like a plan,’ I reply as I stifle a yawn.

Later, before I drift off to sleep, I relive the evening at the club and the delicious scent of Christos as he stood close. He has such an effect on me, and I realise it’s been a while since I have felt really attracted to anyone. He has bad boy written all over him, and yet I gave him my phone number. Oh well, if he is interested in giving me a call, then maybe I ought to loosen up a bit. Surely a little holiday romance can’t hurt. Can it?

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