Read Online The Greek Rule (The Greek Series) by Aleka Nakis - Free Book Online Page B

spoken in those conversations, Athena had never found anyone worthy of the risk.
    Trust was a decision that didn’t come easily to her. Instead, she had lived the last ten years by the ‘No Summer Romance’ rule. Yesterday, she had broken her rule. And in doing so, she’d had the most amazing day in recent memory.
    Emotions she didn’t know she was capable of feeling tightened around her heart. She enjoyed having Alexandros beside her on their walk, she dreamed of him all night, and she woke looking for him.
    A warm flame began to grow deep within, and as it spread out from her heart, she decided that it couldn’t hurt to enjoy the week with Alexandros. She’d be friendly, but she would control her physical desires. Minimize the attraction and therefore lessen the risk, but still indulge a bit.
    Besides, she was leaving on Monday, there was no time for her to fall in love and have her heart broken. No expectation, no strings attached.
    Happy with her decision, she dressed and went to find the others. It took her a few minutes to find the kitchen from the inside of the house.
    “Good morning,” a young woman called out in Greek when Athena arrived in the kitchen. “You must be Athena. You are as beautiful as Mr. Spiro said. My name is Stella, and I work for the Strintzarises. Mrs. Anna and Heather are on the balcony waiting for you.”
    “Thank you and good morning to you, too,” replied Athena, in perfect Greek.
    “I’m glad you speak Greek, it will make it easier for you to remember everybody at the party on Friday.”
    “The party?”
    “Oh, yes. The whole family is anxious to meet Costa’s bride. Mr. Spiro had to fight to keep them away yesterday so that you could rest. There is no way he could make them wait until the wedding. Besides there are so many of them and it will take some time to put the names to the faces. The party will help. Why don’t you go out to the balcony, and I’ll bring you coffee and some breakfast?”
    “I can help.”
    “No, please. Mrs. Anna and your friend are waiting for you. I will not be long,” Stella insisted.
    “Thank you. Coffee always tastes better when someone else makes it for you.” Athena smiled and walked out to the other women. They were sitting in a shaded area, but the sun’s heat reflected back at them from the rest of the patio.
    “ Kalimera, kori mou ,” said Anna.
    “ Kalimera ” replied Athena, as she bent to kiss both women. “What are we looking at?”
    Heather eagerly welcomed her friend and started to point out the family pictures in the album she held. The pictures included five-year-old Costa on a donkey led by Alexandros through the town’s cobble stoned streets, the whole family in front of a Christmas tree with the Acropolis in the background, and her absolute favorite of Costa wearing his chocolate cake on his third birthday.
    Stella appeared with a tray of fresh bread, cheeses, olives and coffee for each woman to enjoy. They sat and chatted like lifelong friends losing track of time.
    “I wish my mother was here with us,” Athena said to the older woman. “I’ve been working so much lately and I don’t see her as much as I should. I’d like to take time just chatting together over some coffee. She would enjoy your company.”
    “I hope to meet her soon. Perhaps in Crete later this summer?” Anna suggested. “What are your parents’ names?”
    “Maria and Nikos. Dad is from Chania, and Mom from a little village outside Rethymno.”
    How did Anna know her parents were from Crete? Athena had not told her. Alexandros must have discussed her with his family. He was the only one that knew. She had never even mentioned it to Costa or Heather.
    Athena felt like a heel. She wanted to tell the other women her news about the resort. Such developments were supposed to be celebrated, not hidden. She wanted to share her joy. But at what expense? She had won the bidding against Alexandros. Was she being two-faced by enjoying his family’s