JENNA
You were right.
I watch as Cassia reads the words on my phone, then she asks, “About what?”
Enzo.
A wide smile stretches across her face. “Yeah?” She pulls me toward the island so we can sit, then she says, “Tell me everything!”
My fingers fly over the phone as I type.
The past week I got to spend with him was the best! He’s been so patient with me, and he understands my past, which makes things much easier for me. And he’s so protective! I’ve never felt so safe in all my life.
Cassia looks like a proud mom who’s about to cry. “I’m so happy for you, Jenna. You deserve this.” She lifts her arm and places it on my shoulder. “I’m returning to Greece tomorrow. I want you to program my number into your phone right now, if you haven’t already, because I demand we keep in touch. I’ve grown really fond of our friendship.” Her features tighten. “You’re like a little sister to me.”
My heart melts, and I begin to type, but then rethink it. Looking at Cassia again, I whisper, “I feel the same.”
Her face crumbles, and she pulls me into a hug. “You’re going to make me ruin my makeup!”
We hold each other for a few seconds, then I pull back and type quickly.
I’m going to miss you. I hope I get to see you again.
She reads the words, then replies, “Oh, we’ll definitely see each other on the island. I think you’ll love it there, so tell Enzo to attend the meetings in person and not via FaceTime.”
I nod, making a mental note of that.
She taps a manicured nail on the screen. “Do you have my number?”
I shake my head, and we quickly program it into my phone, then I call her so she’ll have mine.
Cassia puts her phone away in her handbag and turns her attention back to me. “If you ever need anything, call me.”
I nod, giving her a thankful look.
Enzo comes into the kitchen, and she scowls at him. “That wasn’t even thirty minutes.”
“I’m getting drinks for everyone,” he mutters, his tone brisk.
“We’ll help you carry everything,” she says, climbing to her feet.
I get up as well, and we empty the shopping bags before removing the meat from its packaging. I find a plastic container to put it all in and carry it outside, while Enzo and Cassia bring waters and sodas.
When we get to the veranda, Santiago asks, “Don’t you have any fruit juice?”
“Or alcohol,” the other man, who has the same dark hair as Enzo, says.
I freeze in my tracks and tilt my head a little forward so my hair hangs like curtains on either side of my face.
“Nope, it’s either soda or water,” Cassia replies. She glances at me. “Have you met everyone?”
I shake my head, and when Enzo comes to place his arm around my shoulders, I’m super thankful. He takes the container from me and sets it down on a table. I turn my body into his side and wrap my arm around his lower back, pressing as close to him as I can get.
“You know Santiago, and that’s his wife, Ciara.” Cassia moves to the next couple. “Dominik and Grace.” Then she gestures at the man who asked about the alcohol. “And Leo.”
I just nod, my tongue stuck to the roof of my mouth, and because everyone is looking at me, my face goes up in flames, and I move partially behind Enzo.
I’m a little disappointed in myself. I’m so comfortable with Enzo and Cassia, I thought the shyness was getting better, but it hasn’t.
