Page 32 of Slightly Married
“Very,” she grinned, triumph written all over her face.
“How have you been?” I pivoted, desperate to escape further interrogation.
Lauren sighed, her expression clouding. “Not good. My parents are being weird and dragging their feet about letting me have Gianna back.”
Gianna was Lauren’s nine-year-old daughter. She’d given her parents custody after birth when she moved to New York for school. They’d raised the girl while Lauren visited on holidays and flew her to New York for summers. Now Lauren wanted her daughter full-time, and they were suddenly throwing up roadblocks.
“They’ve raised her from infancy,” I suggested. “Letting go must be hard for them.”
“I know,” she snapped, then immediately softened. “But Gianna is still my daughter, not theirs. They’ve known about the plan for over six months. And it’s not really Dad, though he wants to keep her. It’s Mom dragging this out.”
“I’m sorry.” There were no perfect words for family drama.
Her expression brightened with mischief. “My brother was sad to hear about your second marriage.”
That made me giggle. Lauren’s brother, DeAngelo, was a famous actor and notorious playboy. The man couldn’t commit to a breakfast cereal, let alone a woman. His disappointment was about as sincere as a politician’s campaign promises.
We chatted for several more minutes before finally ending the call. I sat quietly for a moment with Lauren’s situationon my mind. Despite my arrangement with Konstantin, I couldn’t ignore the fundamental difference between our paths to motherhood.
We both had financial security, supportive families (even if mine now included Irida’s cold stares), and access to the best healthcare. But I had a choice in the manner of conception itself, unromantic as it was.
Lauren never got that choice.
If Lauren could embrace motherhood after how it began for her, surely, I could navigate this unconventional path I’d chosen with open eyes. I drew strength from her example as I finally dragged myself out of bed to face the day.
I stepped into the shower, letting the hot water wash away my lingering thoughts of the previous night. I took extra care with my appearance, selecting a rust-colored mini dress with a halter neckline and pairing it with strappy gold sandals. I twisted my braids into an elegant updo and added simple gold hoops.
When I entered the dining room, Tia was already seated at the table, nursing a cup of coffee while scrolling through her phone.
“Good morning,” I greeted, reaching for the coffee carafe.
Tia looked up, her eyes widening. “Wow, you look amazing!”
“Thanks,” I smiled, adding cream to my coffee. “What’s on your agenda today? I could teach you how to braid before meeting Yiorgos later.”
Her expression shifted to dread. “I’m heading to Thalassía with Aristides and Dimitrios. Santo was supposed to come, but he is training this morning.”
“And you’re worried about facing the brothers alone?” I guessed, noting her anxious fidgeting.
“Exactly.” She sighed. “Santo’s dad is intimidating.”
“I’ll come with you.”
“Really?” Her face lit up with relief. “You would do that?”
“Absolutely.” I shrugged, buttering a scone. “I’m curious to see this famous island, anyway. Besides, what are friends for if not moral support during terrifying meetings with dominant men?”
Tia laughed, visibly relaxing. “You’re the best.”
An hour later, Tia and I made our way to the helipad behind the villa, where three tall figures stood beside the helicopter. My heart jumped when I realized Konstantin was among them. I hadn’t expected to see him, and my body reacted with embarrassing awareness.
“There they are!” Dimitrios called out cheerfully, waving as if we might miss him. “Your chariot awaits!”
I could feel my cheeks warming as I approached the group, especially since Konstantin tracked my approach. I focused on steadying my pulse, flashing Dimitrios a bright smile.
“A chariot? More like a noisy, windy metal bird,” I quipped. “But I suppose it beats swimming.”
Aristides glanced down at my four-inch strappy heels with raised eyebrows. “Interesting choice of footwear for an island excursion.”
