Page 113 of Love Among the Ruins
Situations and circumstances.
Her insides were doing the Sirtaki. Dominic didn’t look or sound drunk. He was sober and normal. Talking to her on an equal level.
“I need to get this deal done. I don’t know what I’ll be more relieved about, getting the deal done, or never having to meet with Galatis again, at least, not for a long time.”
His words were a reminder that after this he would be gone, returning to his life back in the US.
“How will this help you with the deal?”
“Because Hector intimated that he might be more relaxed and easier to deal with during his nephew’s wedding.”
“His nephew?” She didn’t understand. “But you said it was your ex who was getting married? Are we talking about a different wedding altogether?”
“Small world. My ex just happens to be marrying Galatis’ nephew.”
She let out a shriek. “What?”
“It’s true. She is. Small world.”
Eleni couldn’t comprehend it. “Was it her goal to find an ‘aire?’”
“A what?”
“A millionaire or billionaire.”
“Very funny.”
“I don’t think it’s funny at all,” she retorted. “I don’t think it’s a good sign that she’s looking at bank balances.”
“It seems to indicate a pattern,” he remarked.
“I’ll do it.”
They smiled at one another. Talking to him, like this, just the two of them, was like old times, like reclaiming some of the closeness they’d had before. It felt like settling against a soft cushion draped in velvet and was so lovely that she could have stayed here all evening.
Dominic glanced at his watch. “I should get back.”
“It’s not that late.” She looked up. The sky wasn’t dark but slowly painting itself in darker hues. “You make yourself sound ancient.”
“You must think so.”
She stared at him, allowing their gazes to tangle, to imagine a future which could never be. Nine years lay between them, but they were still in the same decade, in their twenties, though sometimes, like now, Dominic seemed to be much older.
“And here you are, in charge of a company and in a position that would take others decades to reach.”
“I’m not sure if that’s a compliment or not.”
“It’s a compliment.”
“A backhanded compliment,” he remarked drily, before adjusting his tie. She could tell that he was hot and bothered, that if he were at home, he would loosen it and take it off.
She knew so much about him, and the bits she didn’t, her imagination filled in the gaps. Always, lately, Dominic was taking up too many of her thoughts.
“I’d better get my ancient self off to bed. Goodnight, Eleni.”
“Goodnight, Dominic.”
