Read Online Greek for Beginners by Jackie Braun - Free Book Online Page B

rebound, too? She wasn’t sure how she felt about that or even if she had the right to feel anything. They had been driving in silence for a couple of minutes, when something occurred to her.
    â€œUm, speaking of awkward, will Selene and Pieter be at dinner tonight?”
    As it was, Darcie had enough to worry about what with convincing his parents and grandmother that she and Nick were an item without adding bad blood and an old lovers’ triangle to the mix. Thankfully, Nick shook his head.
    â€œThey have other plans. Some last-minute meeting with the caterer about changes to one of the side dishes. Apparently, a cousin of the bride has a severe peanut allergy.”
    â€œOh, thank God.” Darcie closed her eyes and grimaced. “Not about the allergy. Those can be deadly. Anaphylactic shock and all. But — ”
    â€œI know exactly what you mean.” His dry laughter served to put her at ease.
    A few minutes later, they arrived at a two-story white stucco home surrounded by lush, terraced gardens.
    â€œWe’re here.”
    Showtime, Darcie thought, as she removed the scarf and checked her appearance in the rearview mirror.
    â€œYou look beautiful,” he assured her.
    Even so, nerves fluttered in her belly. She offered up a prayer that in addition to passing parental inspection, she wouldn’t humiliate herself by getting sick.
    â€œThis is my grandmother’s house, but my mother and father live just there.”
    He pointed to the home next door that was similar in size and appearance and whose yard was equally well-landscaped. Concentrating on the details helped quell her nerves. As limited as her knowledge of plants was, she recognized geraniums spilling from the pots near the front door, as well as near the iron railing that girded a second-story terrace. And even without the assistance of a breeze, she could smell the heady scent of roses.
    â€œWow. Your mother and grandmother must have green thumbs. Everything looks so, well, green . My mom is like that. And my sisters. They can grow anything, anywhere. As near as I can tell, my thumb is black.”
    â€œBlack?” He took her hands, studied the digits in question. “They look normal to me.”
    â€œIt’s just a saying. It means I’m a plant killer, which is why the only plant I own is a ficus whose leaves are made of plastic. There’s no chance of killing that sucker.”
    â€œI see,” Nick said patiently.
    No, he didn’t, because there was no point to this conversation, except for stalling. Darcie was babbling like an idiot, but she couldn’t seem to stop herself. More words tumbled out. “Although the ficus still looks pathetic thanks to Rufus.”
    Nick’s lips twitched. “The cat you referred to as the spawn of Satan?”
    â€œThat’s the one. He used it as a scratching post.”
    Nick got out and came around the car to open Darcie’s door. “Come.” Suddenly he seemed so formidable, as though he were prepared for battle. The sudden change from playful to guarded did nothing to settle Darcie’s nerves.
    He led her to the door, entered without knocking. This might have been his grandmother’s house, but he didn’t stand on formality. She liked that. The foyer opened into a living room with a fireplace. It was a comfortable room, a place that invited one to sit and relax. Darcie wished she could, but she was wound up as tight as a spring. From the rear of the house, she could hear voices, although she couldn’t make out anything that was being said since it was in Greek. She heard Nick’s name mentioned and then she thought she heard her own. When she glanced at him, his expression was apologetic.
    â€œThey say they are eager to meet you.”
    Darcie doubted his translation was complete or completely accurate.
    He took her hand. “This way.”
    The mingled scents of spices and roasting meat wafting from the