Page 58 of Slightly Married
A saleswoman approached with a smile, but I waved her off.
“I’ll figure it out. This is my chance to show Daddy I can become CEO. Matt has been helping me as well.”
I paced across the Italian marble floor. “Are you sure you don’t need my help?”
“No offense, Kay, but you know next to nothing about business. Focus on my nephew and on the interior design of Thalassía.”
She was right, of course. I had a lot on my plate these days.
Tia had suggested to the family that I be the interior designer for the villa she was restoring on the island. Nobody had challenged her, and it became a foregone conclusion.
When I’d asked about a budget, my husband had simply sipped his morning coffee, fixed those dark eyes on me, and said there was none. It was why I was in this store today, surrounded by furnishings.
I’d spent hours researching the history of the island, poring over old photographs Domna had shared, trying to understand what made this place so special to the Christakis family. The original villa had been simple yet elegant, embracing thenatural beauty of its surroundings. My vision was to honor that connection while creating spaces that felt both timeless and fresh.
“How are you so sure it’s a boy?” I asked, lightening the conversation.
“Because aunties know these things.”
“Got it,” I answered with a smile, imagining a baby boy who inherited K’s dark eyes, but with my nose perhaps.
The thought sparked a comforting feeling as I continued browsing through the store’s treasures, already mentally decorating both a nursery and the new villa.
How strange that something so small could already shift my perspective so dramatically. Suddenly, I was noticing children’s furniture, mentally calculating how many years before our child would need a proper desk.
“I should go, Sim. The saleswoman’s been hovering for the last five minutes, and I need to focus on these selections for Thalassía,” I said, catching the attendant’s hopeful glance.
“Love you, sis! Keep me posted on how K reacts to the news!”
“Will do. Love you too,” I replied before ending the call.
I spent another half hour exploring the boutique’s offerings, making detailed notes about several pieces that would work perfectly for Thalassía’s living spaces. The process of selecting furnishings that blended Mediterranean tradition with modern comfort was unexpectedly therapeutic.
I gathered my notes, ready to reward myself with a cappuccino from the café next door before heading to K’s office. The thought of sharing my news with K sent a flutter of nervous excitement through me as I stepped onto the sun-drenched sidewalk.
“Kayla!” The sound of my name stopped me just as I stepped outside.
I turned to find Stella approaching, elegant as ever in a tailored cream suit. Mentally, I added a note to my growing to-do list.
Shop on other islands where the likelihood of seeing Konstantin’s ex was minimal.
“Stella! What a surprise,” I greeted, adjusting the bag on my shoulder.
“I know! I was just looking at furniture for Konstantin and my place,” she replied. “The living room needs refreshing.”
Athens’ afternoon heat pressed against my skin as pedestrians moved around our sidewalk meeting.
“How lovely,” I responded, maintaining my smile even as she added, “I was even looking at some nursery items. Kostas and I want to be prepared for whenever the baby arrives.”
A cyclist rang his bell as he passed. “Always good to be prepared,” I offered neutrally.
“Have you been to Corfu recently? It’s gorgeous this time of year.”
My senses heightened, warning bells ringing. “It’s on my bucket list, actually. Heard the beaches are stunning.”
“Oh, they are! Konstantin and I just spent a month there together,” she confided, lowering her voice. “It was the anniversary of my brother’s death, and we wanted to be alone.”
Realization hit me like a splash of cold water. I had been the one with Konstantin in Corfu, falling asleep to the sound of waves against the shore and waking up entangled in his arms.
