Walking into the studio where the bar scene will be recorded, I smile at Jake and Annette.
It’s time.
I set my bag down and walk to where they’re setting up the camera gear.
“I have something to tell you,” I say.
“Oh, hopefully, it’s good news,” Annette mentions as she turns her attention to me.
It takes Jake a little longer to glance in my direction.
“I got married.”
Jake does a double-take, his head snapping so fast to me he almost risks spraining his neck.
Annette’s mouth drops open, then she mutters, “You’re kidding, right?”
I hold out my left hand so they can see the ring, that I’ve grown quite attached to, sparkling on my finger.
“You’re not kidding?” Annette’s eyes widen, then she grabs my hand, and I’m yanked closer. “Holy shit! Nice diamond, but you’re only twenty-one. Who the hell did you marry? When did all of this go down?”
Jake points to Annette, a dark frown on his face. “What she said.”
I shrug, pulling my hand free from her tight grip. “Ah… it happened a month ago.”
“What?” Annette shrieks. “And you’re only telling us now?”
I shrug again. “I wanted to get used to it before telling you.” My tongue darts nervously over my lips, then I remember who I am. My chin lifts. “I married Nikolas.”
Again shock ripples over their faces. “You did what?” Annette mutters. “Your step-brother? Are we talking about the Nikolas you hate?”
A smile spreads over my face. “Hated. Past tense. And don’t call him my step-brother.”
“Come to think of it…” Annette taps a finger against her chin as if she’s trying to recall something, “you haven’t complained about him for a while.”
“He’s changed,” I stand up for Nikolas. “When he’s with me, he’s a different person now.”
“So you seriously married a man you only knew a couple of months, but you couldn’t go on a date with me?” Jake finally adds his thoughts while shaking his head at me. “Wow, you work quick.”
My eyes snap to him. “Stop being sour, Jake. It makes you look pathetic.” Only after the words are out do I realize what I said. It’s on the tip of my tongue to apologize, but I swallow the urge, refusing to bend the knee.
“Wait,” Annette jumps in before things can turn ugly, then she levels me with a pointed look. “You said he was married with three kids.”
A smile spreads over my face. “I lied. Sorry.” Shrugging, I add, “He’s married now.”
She gives me a playful glare. “Kept the hot one for yourself. I see what you did there.”
“Let’s get to work,” Jake mutters, clearly upset by the news and what I said.
There’s an uncomfortable tension in the air while we set up and shoot the scene, but I grin and bear it, actually not caring about what Jake thinks. Six months from now he won’t even be a part of my life anymore, so his opinion doesn’t matter.
When we’re finally done, I quickly help pack up then make a beeline for a door. Reaching James at the end of the hall, I let out a relieved sigh.
“That bad?” he asks, his eyes darting over my head and down the hallway. Over the past month, James has become more than just my bodyguard. Now he’s a friend who’s come to mean a lot to me.
“Yep. Annette seems okay with the news, but Jake made a snide remark.”
“Sore loser,” James mutters as we walk to where the SUV is parked. “Are we still going to the Stathoulis mansion?”
“Yes.”
He opens the door and gets in beside me. “Seat belt.”
I strap myself in, then wait for Michael and Arthur to get into the vehicle as well. Arthur starts the engine, then I look at James, asking, “How’s your girlfriend?”
Instantly a smile spreads over his face. “Nicoleta is flying in at the end of the month. I can’t wait. I’m never letting her travel again.”
A burst of laughter escapes me. “Ooh, you better put a ring on her finger if you want to keep her close.”
He pins me with a serious expression. “I was thinking the same thing. We’ve been together four years.”
My eyebrows fly up. “Are you actually going to propose?”
Slowly, he nods before glancing behind us and checking for any signs of threats, then he replies, “Yes. But I first need to get the ring.”
My smile widens. “I’m available for ring shopping if you need a sidekick.”
“Thanks, I was hoping you’d offer.”
When Arthur stops the SUV in front of the mansion, I climb out then glance at the other vehicles. Not seeing Grant, I ask, “Where’s Grant?”
“He’s being replaced. Stephen will be joining us from tomorrow,” James informs me.
A smile splits over my face. “That’s unexpected good news.” It’s no secret I never liked Grant.
James escorts me into the house, and only when Mom comes down the stairs, and he’s happy there’s no ambush waiting for me, he steps back.
“Agápi mou.” Mom pulls me into a tight hug. “It feels like forever since I last saw you.”
To be honest, I’ve avoided coming over, not ready to talk about Irene and what she did to me.
I’m the one who has to pull away and end the hug, then Mom says, “Let’s sit out on the veranda. It’s such a nice day out.”
I follow Mom through the stuffy living room, and once outside, I take a seat on one of the lounge chairs.
“You look so much better, agápi mou,” Mom says, emotion trembling in her voice. She reaches for my hand, and gripping it tightly, her eyebrows draw together. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
I suck in a deep breath, wishing Nikolas was here. Everything is so much easier when he’s by my side, his strength feeding my own.
I glance over the manicured gardens, taking in the flowers and trimmed bushes. “At first, you were so caught up in your own grief of losing Dad, the world could’ve ended, and you wouldn’t have noticed.”
Mom pulls her hand back, pressing it to her neck as her lips part.
I quickly continue, “In hindsight, I know I should’ve told you the first time Irene hurt me. It’s my fault for keeping quiet. I don’t blame you.”
“Still, Theresa, I hate that you felt you couldn’t come to me,” Mom says, her tone heavy with heartache.
“We were both drowning in our loss, and Irene capitalized on that.”
“Why would she hurt you, though?” Mom asks, probably still trying to figure out why some people are just evil.
“A power trip.” I shrug and let out a sigh. “Some people just get off on hurting others, I guess.”
Mom shakes her head, still unable to come to terms with what happened. “Tell me everything.”
I shake my head, not wanting to relive any of it. “No. There’s no reason to delve into the past. It’s over and done with.”
“Is it really over and done with?” Mom questions, not looking so sure.
“Yes.” A smile tugs at the corners of my mouth. “Nikolas helped me deal with everything.”
An eyebrow lifts on Mom’s face. “How are things between the two of you? I know the wedding was… ah… sudden and quite the shock.”
“You should’ve warned me,” I tell her, needing to get it off my chest. “You should’ve put me first and told me what was happening.”
Regret tightens her features until she truly looks remorseful. “I’m sorry, agápi mou. Nikolas can be so intimidating, but you’re right, I should’ve warned you.”
Letting bygones be bygones, I give Mom’s knee a squeeze then smile at her. “I’m happy.”
Her regretful expression turns to one of hope. “Really?”
I nod, my smile growing. “I’ve learned to love Nikolas, and he loves me too. Actually,” I let out a chuckle, “he worships the ground I walk on. I couldn’t have asked for a better husband.”
Mom throws her arms wide open, happiness and relief bubbling over her lips as she laughs. “That’s so good to hear. My heart can rest now.” When I hug Mom, she lets out a sob. “I’m so happy.”
“It all turned out for the best,” I murmur, emotion welling in my chest, now that we got to clear the air between us.
A server brings two ice teas, and we pull apart. I take huge gulps to quench my thirst before Mom starts talking about the event she’s hosting for her group of friends.
We spend the rest of the afternoon catching up with each other’s lives, and honestly, as much as I dreaded it, I actually enjoy visiting with Mom.
