Page 53 of Beyond Enemy Vows
"Perfect," Katerina says, satisfied. "Give me your phone. I'll take a few of just you."
I pose awkwardly, trying to look carefree. Katerina takes a few pictures and then hands me my phone. "Beautiful as always. I'll airdrop you the others now or I'll forget."
As she's selecting the images to send me, I open my messages to Niko and before I can stop myself, I type out:Guess where I am?
I attach the best image Katerina just took of me and hit send before I can overthink it.
His reply comes seconds later. And just like I secretly wanted, he tells me he's coming to Athens. To see me.
I stare at the screen, a mixture of excitement and dread pooling in my stomach because I have no idea how I'm going to make it work.
"There," Katerina says, looking at my phone. "Did you get them?"
I accept the airdrop quickly. "Yep."
"Wait. Who are you texting?"
"Keira," I lie, locking my phone. "She's envious of me being here."
Katerina links her arm through mine. "Oh, well come on. We've got some more to see and I want to stop by the agora and get something for the baby. Maybe fight off a yiayia for the last bunch of dried lavender."
I start laughing. "You wouldn't."
"No, but it's funny to think so," she says with a wink, pulling me forward laughing.
After walking around town, seeing all the tourist stops, wandering through the museum, and stopping to share some souvlaki, we finally arrive at the Athens Central Market, Varvakios.
It's loud and chaotic in the best possible way. This place sells everything from fish to hand-stitched leather sandals.
Men shout in Greek and English to people walking by, trying their best to prove why their stall is the best.
"Okay, I'm going to go find baby blankets. I won't bore you with that. Take a look around and I'll text you when I'm done," Katerina says.
"You sure?" I ask.
"Yes. Plus there's bound to be a nice Greek guy here for you," she says, smiling and elbowing my arm.
"Love you, have fun," she continues and walks off, disappearing into the crowd.
The agora is alive and well. People are everywhere. I start walking, passing a stall where a man is blasting Greek music while selling knockoff perfumes.
Another is selling octopus on ice and meat hangs from every direction, along with baskets of fresh and dried herbs.
Jars of olives and bottles of olive oil are as far as the eye can see, broken only by cheap toys and feta floating in liquid.
I haven't been here in some time. I forget just walking through is an experience on its own.
I glance at my phone. It's been hours since Niko said he was coming.
Is he going to text soon? Is he already here in Athens? What if he got held up and couldn't come?
I pass by a table full of baby sweaters and my hand runs across the fabric unconsciously.
Could there really be a baby growing inside me? Niko's baby?
I pull my hand away quickly and look around, fearing Katerina is nearby.
She isn't, and I don't even know if she would have noticed my gesture, but still. I don't want to risk anything.
